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Challenge Solution
Outcomes
Challenge
The Osaka region had been the industrial heartland
of Japan, much as the Great Lakes states have
been for the United States. Concerned that Osaka's
prefecture accelerates its development toward
its next-generation economy, Osaka's leaders commissioned
the preparation of a technology-driven economic
strategy. This strategy—Osaka Tech Infra
21—focused on the goal of building a technology
infrastructure that would help existing industry
clusters increase their competitiveness, as well
as attract domestic and international technology-driven
industries to the area.
Solution
At the request of the Osaka prefecture government,
an extensive analysis and strategy process was
carried out. The analysis began with a mapping
of the major industry groups from which Osaka's
citizens earned their living. Then, with this
background information, a team of technology and
industry experts began an in-depth analysis of
industry competitiveness challenges, focusing
on the role of technology in all aspects of operations—from
research and development through production and
marketing. Thereafter, a team of technologists
and institutional experts conducted an evaluation
of all the major national laboratories, university
research programs, and state or local technology
assistance and industrial extension services in
Osaka. These institutions were then compared to
other Japanese and U.S. institutions in terms
of their role and responsiveness to industry competitiveness
requirements.
Outcomes
On completing this analysis, a three-tiered technology
strategy was developed for Osaka that focused
on creating new assets for applied science discovery,
technology development, and deployment of best
practices to companies in the Osaka prefecture.
New roles and mechanisms for each part of Osaka's
technology infrastructure were proposed, from
national laboratory linkages within the region
to establishment of new applied R&D institutions
to serve regional needs.
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