In its nearly 40 years of operation, IFTECH has become a key source of information, policy recommendation, and business advice in the fields of science and technology for Japan's central and prefectural governments, and the private sector.
Major government clients and research sponsors include Japan's Science and Technology Agency (STA), the National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTEP), the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
Important research areas include:
I. Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy
● Research surveys of emerging and changing R&D environments
● R&D evaluation methods and trends
● Technology forecasting and assessment
II. R&D Management and Technology Planning
● Bibliometric analysis of technology utilization
● Analysis of changes and trends in R&D investment
● Basic and applied R&D activities in Japan and overseas
● Analysis of technology management using factor analysis and other statistical methods
III. Technology Transfer and Cooperation
● International and inter-organizational R&D cooperation
● Fostering innovation: regional clusters, business incubators, and science parks
● Domestic and international technology transfers, knowledge sharing and intelligence gathering
● International comparison of science parks and regional clusters
IV. Regional Industrial and Technology Policy
In Japan, localities outside of major urban areas like Tokyo and Osaka are referred to as "Regions." Research related to these regions include:
● Regional science and technology promotion
● Planning, construction and implementation of regional science parks and clusters
● Information networking initiatives of regional entities
● Digital and other critical information management in prefectural and
municipal governments
V. Aerospace Policy
● Technical trends in aerospace industrial development
● Data input and organization for national aerospace policy formation
● Secretariat for the Lunar and Planet Society of Japan
● Research support for the National Space Development Agency of Japan
(NASDA; currently the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA))
● Founding member of the Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS) Society
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