Master Japanese R&D techniques in ten days!

Brussels, 05 Mar 2003

The European Commission and the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry are organising training programme in Japan, to take place from 12 to 21 May, advertised under the headline 'master Japanese R&D [research and development] techniques in 10 days!'

Participants will learn how Japanese businesses use their R&D and design capabilities successfully. Despite market changes, shorter development cycles and increased global competition, Japanese companies continue to display a high degree of innovativeness. Many have converted applied research into customised solutions to meet society's information technology (IT) demands.

Indeed, the Commission's 'science, technology and innovation - key figures 2002' indicates that Japan has the highest share of value added from high tech industries, as a percentage of total output, in the world. The latest statistics put the figure for Japan at 11.41 per cent, whereas the EU average is only 7.77 per cent.

The course will enable EU research managers to meet Japan's innovation leaders in the IT related industries. The programme is still being finalised, but is likely to consist of lectures on:
- sustainable strategies for creating new industries;
- science and technology public policy for R&D systems and innovation trends;
- perspectives in measuring and creating the value of companies and change in the technological creativity of Japanese firms;
- start-up venture businesses in Japan - successful case studies.

The programme will also include visits to a number of companies in fields such as LCD manufacturing, optical technology, telecommunications, custom-made LSIs, high purity chemicals and flow-measuring valves.

To be eligible for the course, candidates must be an EU Member State national and must work for an organisation of which more than 50 per cent is owned by an EU or Japanese company. For further criteria, please consult the course website at the reference below.

The course costs will be covered by the EU-Japan centre, but participants' companies are expected to meet travel costs and living expenses.
For further information, please contact:
Mariko Adachi
Tel: +32 2 282 0042
E-mail: m.adachi@eujapan.com
http://www.eujapan.com/europe/market.htm l

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