In the context of globalization and digital transformation, open innovation has become a crucial strategy for driving technological innovation and enterprise development. Through open innovation platforms, businesses, universities, and research institutions can break the limitations of traditional R&D, collaborate and share technological resources, and accelerate the transformation of innovative achievements. As a global technology powerhouse, Japan has established multiple open innovation platforms dedicated to promoting the application of scientific research results and industrial transformation. This article will comprehensively introduce Japan’s major open innovation platforms, analyze their usage methods in depth, and showcase the enormous potential of these platforms in promoting innovative collaboration through successful case studies.
I. Overview of Japanese Open Innovation Platforms
Japan’s open innovation platforms promote rapid technology transformation and market application by facilitating cooperation between enterprises, research institutions, government, and other innovative entities. These platforms provide an environment for sharing knowledge, technology, and resources among various parties, and significantly enhance innovation efficiency by establishing standardized cooperation frameworks that reduce barriers to technology transfer.
1.1 What are Open Innovation Platforms?
Open innovation platforms are online or offline collaborative networks established by governments, universities, or enterprises, aimed at breaking organizational boundaries and promoting the sharing and transformation of scientific and technological achievements. Through these platforms, innovative entities can seek cooperation opportunities, jointly develop new technologies, or find application scenarios for existing technologies. Japan’s open innovation platforms not only cover cutting-edge technology fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clean energy but also encompass a wide range of users from startups to multinational corporations.
1.2 Characteristics of Japanese Open Innovation Platforms
Japanese open innovation platforms have several notable characteristics. Firstly, these platforms are mostly government-led or deeply cooperate with the government, ensuring the breadth and reliability of their resources. Secondly, the platforms not only provide technology transfer but also offer policy support, funding connections, and technology validation services, forming a complete innovation ecosystem. Thirdly, the platforms adopt flexible cooperation models, allowing users to collaborate through various forms such as joint development, technology licensing, and contract research, ensuring efficient matching of technology and resources.
1.3 Advantages of Japanese Open Innovation Platforms
By integrating domestic and international innovation resources, especially in high-tech fields, Japan’s open innovation platforms have greatly enhanced the innovation efficiency of enterprises. Data shows that in 2022, over 500 industry-academia collaboration projects were realized through open innovation platforms, involving multiple industry sectors such as artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and new materials. These collaborative projects not only promoted technological breakthroughs but also accelerated the marketization process of new products.
II. Major Open Innovation Platforms in Japan
Japan’s open innovation platforms are diverse, covering various stages from scientific research to industrial application. The following will introduce Japan’s most representative open innovation platforms and analyze their functions and usage methods in depth.
2.1 Japan Science and Technology Innovation Platform
The Japan Science and Technology Innovation Platform is a national-level open innovation platform led by the government, aimed at promoting industry-academia-research cooperation. The platform helps enterprises and research institutions find suitable technology cooperation opportunities through technology databases, partner matching, and funding support.
The platform is relatively simple to use. After registration, enterprises or research institutions can browse scientific and technological achievements and projects seeking cooperation on the platform. Users can directly contact project publishers and submit cooperation intentions through the platform. The platform also provides contract templates to help both parties quickly reach cooperation agreements. Additionally, the platform provides funding support for key projects and assists users in applying for government subsidies.
A typical success story is the collaboration between the University of Tokyo and an energy company to develop hydrogen fuel cells through this platform. Through the platform, both parties completed technology docking in a short time and received 500 million yen in funding support through the government’s green innovation subsidy. The project was ultimately successfully applied to the production of new energy vehicles, bringing significant market competitive advantages to the enterprise.
2.2 Future Technology Alliance Platform
The Future Technology Alliance Platform, jointly established by several large Japanese enterprises, focuses on promoting the application and marketization of cutting-edge technologies. This platform particularly emphasizes cooperation in frontier technology fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and clean energy. Through an open cooperation network, the Future Technology Alliance Platform provides opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises and research institutions to participate in large-scale project development.
Users of this platform can fill out cooperation applications detailing their technology needs or technology solutions. The platform will match users with suitable partners based on their needs. At the same time, the platform also provides project management tools to help users track progress, allocate resources, and control risks during project execution.
A success story from the Future Technology Alliance Platform is the medical image analysis system jointly developed by Osaka University and an AI startup. Through this platform, both parties received resource support from other technology partners in the early technology validation stage and successfully launched an intelligent image diagnosis system through joint development, greatly improving diagnostic accuracy. The resource sharing and risk management tools provided by the platform enabled this complex project to be successfully commercialized in a relatively short time.
2.3 Japan Industry-Academia-Government Innovation Cooperation Platform
The Japan Industry-Academia-Government Innovation Cooperation Platform is a comprehensive open innovation platform that integrates government, universities, and enterprises, mainly serving large-scale cross-domain cooperation projects. The platform’s feature is active government participation, promoting the application of technological achievements from laboratories to markets through policy guidance and financial support.
Users can enter the platform’s technology demand release and solution search areas after registration. The platform provides comprehensive project management services, including contract negotiation, funding application, and policy consultation. Especially for interdisciplinary cooperation projects involving multiple fields, the platform will set up dedicated project managers for coordination.
Taking a successful project in Japan’s clean energy field as an example, a carbon capture and storage technology project jointly developed by Kyoto University and an energy company not only received policy support from the government through the help of the Industry-Academia-Government Innovation Cooperation Platform but also matched funding support and market partners through the platform. The successful implementation of this project enabled Kyoto University’s technology to be rapidly promoted and effectively applied to actual production scenarios for reducing industrial carbon emissions.
2.4 Digital Open Innovation Platform
With the acceleration of digital transformation, digital open innovation platforms have emerged. This platform focuses on promoting open innovation cooperation in fields such as information technology, digital economy, Internet of Things, and big data. The platform not only gathers advanced technology solutions from both domestic and international sources in Japan but also provides open data resources for enterprises and research institutions.
In the usage process, enterprises can publish their technology needs for digital transformation, and the platform will automatically match relevant technology providers. The Digital Open Innovation Platform also provides a testing environment, allowing enterprises to conduct technology testing and verification on the platform to ensure the adaptability and feasibility of the technology.
In 2021, a large manufacturing enterprise collaborated with Tokyo Institute of Technology through this platform to develop an IoT-based intelligent manufacturing system. Through the technical support and testing environment provided by the platform, the enterprise completed the development and deployment of the system in just six months, significantly improving production efficiency and reducing equipment maintenance costs. The success of this project not only enhanced the enterprise’s competitiveness but also demonstrated the important role of digital platforms in promoting technological innovation.
2.5 Japan Regional Innovation Network Platform
The Japan Regional Innovation Network Platform is jointly established by local governments, universities, and enterprises in the region, mainly serving to promote local technological innovation and industrial upgrading. The platform promotes cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises and local universities by integrating technological resources within the region. The platform’s characteristic is its close alignment with local economic needs, promoting regional industrial development through industry-academia-research integration.
Small and medium-sized enterprises using the platform can publish their technology needs through the platform and connect with local universities and research institutions to find technology solutions. Local governments usually also provide policy support and financial subsidies for cooperative projects to promote technological innovation and economic growth within the region.
A successful case is the intelligent agricultural system jointly developed by Hokkaido University and a local agricultural technology company through the Regional Innovation Network Platform. Through the platform’s technology matching and local government funding support, the project successfully achieved the digital transformation of agricultural production, effectively improving crop yield and quality, and injecting new vitality into the local agricultural economy.
III. How to Effectively Utilize Open Innovation Platforms
To obtain successful cooperation opportunities on open innovation platforms, enterprises and research institutions not only need a clear understanding of the platform’s functions and usage methods but also need to formulate specific usage strategies. These strategies can help users find suitable partners, improve project management efficiency, and accelerate the commercialization of innovative results.
3.1 Establishing Clear Cooperation Goals
Before starting to use open innovation platforms, enterprises and research institutions need to first establish clear cooperation goals. This is the foundation for project success because only when the goals are clear can the technology matching and cooperation resources on the platform exert their maximum utility. Here are several important factors that enterprises and research institutions need to consider when setting cooperation goals:
Clarification of Technology Needs:
Enterprises or research institutions should clearly define the problems or technological challenges they need to solve and determine the target areas. For example, a biotechnology company might be looking for innovative solutions in the field of gene editing, while a manufacturing company might need a new automation solution. By specifically describing technology needs, the platform can more accurately match users with suitable technologies and partners.
Determination of Innovation Direction:
Clarifying the innovation direction helps partners understand your long-term goals and market positioning. Are you focusing on breakthrough technological innovation, or do you prefer to improve products through existing technologies? These questions need to be clarified before cooperation begins to ensure effective matching of technological resources.
Expected Market Application:
Enterprises should also clarify the expected market application of innovation results, considering which markets or industries the technology or product will be applied to, the expected market size, and the commercial returns it will bring. Clearly defining market goals helps quickly establish consensus with other partners on the platform and promotes project progress.
Operational Steps:
Enterprises can log into the Japan Science and Technology Innovation Platform (https://www.jst.go.jp) or the Future Technology Alliance Platform, register a corporate account, and publish their cooperation needs. These platforms usually have dedicated sections for publishing needs, where enterprises can fill in detailed cooperation goals and describe the required technological solutions.
By clarifying goals, enterprises and research institutions can not only attract suitable partners but also establish cooperative relationships more quickly, thereby increasing the success rate of cooperative projects.
3.2 Fully Utilizing Resources Provided by the Platform
Most Japanese open innovation platforms not only provide cooperation opportunities but are also equipped with rich resources, including funding connections, technology verification, and project management functions. Enterprises and research institutions should fully utilize these resources to ensure the smooth progress of projects.
Financial Support:
Japanese open innovation platforms usually work closely with the government, providing various forms of financial support. For example, the Science and Technology Innovation Platform can help enterprises apply for R&D subsidies, government innovation funds, and other project funding. The Future Technology Alliance Platform provides project start-up funds, venture capital connections, and other functions to help startups solve funding issues. Taking the Japan Science and Technology Innovation Platform as an example, enterprises can apply for government-provided funding subsidies in the funding support section (https://www.jst.go.jp/funding) and learn about the latest government innovation subsidy policies.
Technology Verification and Testing:
In collaborative projects, the adaptability and reliability of technology are crucial. Many open innovation platforms provide technology testing environments for users, allowing enterprises and research institutions to verify technologies before commercialization. For example, the simulation environment for the Internet of Things and intelligent manufacturing provided by the Digital Open Innovation Platform can help enterprises test the actual application effects of their technologies, avoiding problems encountered after the technology is put into the market. By logging into the Digital Open Innovation Platform (https://www.digitalplatform.jp), enterprises can use the simulation testing environment on the platform to verify whether their digital technology meets the needs of the application scenario.
Project Management Tools:
In industry-academia-research cooperation, the complexity of projects and the diversity of participants often lead to increased difficulty in project management. Many open innovation platforms are equipped with project management tools to help users track project progress, allocate resources, and control risks. For example, the Future Technology Alliance Platform provides users with online project management tools, where enterprises and research institutions can share progress in real-time to ensure timely completion of projects.
Operational Steps:
Enterprises can access project management functions by registering on the Future Technology Alliance Platform (https://www.mirainnovation.jp) and use the technology verification tools on the platform. Users can create project pages, add project members, and set milestones, making it convenient for all partners to follow project progress in real-time.
By fully utilizing these resources, enterprises and research institutions can effectively reduce project risks, ensure the reliability of technical solutions in practical applications, and accelerate the smooth progress of projects.
3.3 Seeking Government and Policy Support
In Japan, the government actively promotes cooperation between enterprises and research institutions through various policies and financial support, especially in high-tech and green energy fields. Therefore, when using open innovation platforms, enterprises and research institutions should fully utilize these policy supports, apply for relevant subsidies and preferential policies to reduce financial pressure and enhance project competitiveness.
Government Financial Support:
The Japanese government provides extensive financial support for open innovation, especially in key areas such as green energy, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. For instance, enterprises can apply for up to 70% of R&D cost subsidies through the “Green Innovation Subsidy,” particularly for industry-academia-research projects in collaboration with universities and research institutions. The application process is simple; users only need to submit applications through the Industry-Academia-Government Innovation Cooperation Platform (https://www.sangakukan.jp), fill in detailed project plans and expected outcomes, and have the opportunity to receive government financial support.
Tax Incentive Policies:
The Japanese government provides multiple tax incentive policies for enterprises participating in industry-academia-research cooperation. According to the “R&D Expense Deduction Policy,” enterprises can enjoy 10% to 20% tax deductions for R&D expenditures. If an enterprise’s R&D investment exceeds 20% of the previous year, the deduction ratio can be further increased to 25%. Through the Future Technology Alliance Platform, enterprises can obtain the latest tax incentive policies and apply for tax deductions through the platform. Relevant information and specific operational steps and application materials can be found at (https://www.meti.go.jp/policy).
Use of Policy Incentive Tools:
Applications for government funding and policy incentives usually require users to submit detailed project plans, budget tables, and R&D objectives. The Future Technology Alliance Platform and Japan Science and Technology Innovation Platform provide corresponding templates and guidelines to help users quickly prepare the required materials and submit applications. When using these platforms, enterprises should understand the application conditions in advance to ensure that the project meets policy requirements.
Operational Steps:
Enterprises and research institutions should regularly check policy updates released on the platform to obtain the government’s latest preferential policies in a timely manner. Especially for cooperative projects in key areas such as green technology and biotechnology, enterprises can apply for innovation subsidies and tax incentives by registering on government-supported open innovation platforms to reduce financial burdens.
By applying for government financial support and tax incentive policies, enterprises can not only reduce project costs but also inject more resources into the project, promoting rapid implementation of the project.
IV. Key Cooperation Models of Open Innovation Platforms
The advantage of open innovation platforms lies in their flexible cooperation models. Users can choose suitable collaboration methods based on project requirements and resource conditions, ensuring smooth project progress and success. Below are several common cooperation models and their specific applications on Japanese open innovation platforms.
4.1 Joint Development Model
The joint development model is one of the most common collaboration methods on open innovation platforms, especially suitable for projects with longer technology development cycles and larger R&D investments. In this model, enterprises and research institutions jointly bear the R&D costs and technological risks of the project, sharing technological achievements.
For example, the University of Tokyo and a pharmaceutical company jointly developed new drugs through an industry-academia-government innovation cooperation platform. In this model, both parties not only shared intellectual property rights but also gained additional benefits through government funding support and technology licensing.
Operational steps:
Through the industry-academia-government innovation cooperation platform, enterprises can publish joint development needs, describing the required collaboration fields and technological objectives. After registering as cooperation partners, both parties can use the platform’s online contract templates to formulate detailed cooperation agreements, clarifying the rights and obligations of each party.
4.2 Technology Licensing Model
The technology licensing model is suitable for enterprises or research institutions that already possess certain technological resources. Through technology licensing, companies can acquire new technologies or products under development, avoiding starting from scratch. This model is commonly used for rapid commercialization projects, especially in technological fields that need to quickly enter the market.
For example, an AI startup obtained an AI algorithm technology license from the Tokyo Institute of Technology through the Future Technology Alliance Platform. This technology helped the company launch innovative products in a short time and quickly enter the market. Technology licensing not only accelerated product launch but also helped the company reduce development costs.
Operational steps:
Companies can apply for technology licenses through the Future Technology Alliance Platform. They can browse various technological achievements on the platform and choose suitable technologies for cooperation based on their needs. By filling out a technology license application form, enterprises can quickly obtain technology usage rights and receive contractual protection through the platform’s legal support.
4.3 Contract Research Model
The contract research model involves enterprises outsourcing part of their R&D work to research institutions or universities, utilizing their research capabilities to solve specific problems. This model is suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises without sufficient R&D capabilities or companies looking to reduce R&D risks. Japan’s open innovation platforms provide efficient matching channels for contract research, helping enterprises find suitable research partners.
For example, Osaka University and a small manufacturing enterprise signed a contract research agreement through a digital open innovation platform to help the company develop a new manufacturing process. Through the contract research model, the company avoided excessive R&D investment and obtained professional technical support.
Operational steps:
Enterprises can publish contract research needs through the digital open innovation platform and connect with research institutions on the platform. Companies can use the contract templates provided by the platform to clarify the responsibilities and obligations of both parties.
V. Analysis of Successful Cases from Major Japanese Open Innovation Platforms
Successful cases are the best way to demonstrate how open innovation platforms promote technological innovation and industry-academia-research cooperation. Through these cases, we can clearly see the specific roles of different innovation platforms in promoting technology transfer, R&D cooperation, and industrial transformation. These cases showcase how platforms’ technology matching, resource sharing, and policy support facilitate the practical application of research results and bring significant benefits to enterprises and research institutions.
5.1 Collaboration Case between the University of Tokyo and an AI Medical Startup
The collaboration between the University of Tokyo and an AI medical startup through the “Future Technology Alliance Platform” achieved remarkable results. The project aimed to develop an intelligent medical imaging analysis system, utilizing artificial intelligence technology to improve the speed and accuracy of medical image diagnosis. The University of Tokyo’s research team provided cutting-edge AI algorithm technology, while the startup focused on product market promotion and application development.
Both parties quickly matched suitable collaboration resources through the Future Technology Alliance Platform and obtained funding support through the platform. After the project launch, the project management tools provided by the platform helped both parties effectively monitor R&D progress, reducing risks in technology development. Eventually, they successfully launched an intelligent image diagnosis system, greatly enhancing the automatic analysis capability of medical images and increasing doctors’ diagnostic efficiency by 30%.
This project not only demonstrated the enormous potential of AI technology in the medical field but also proved the key role of open innovation platforms in technological innovation. Through the platform’s resource sharing and technology matching, enterprises and research institutions were able to achieve breakthrough technological progress in a relatively short time, reducing R&D costs and accelerating the commercialization process.
5.2 Collaboration Case between Kyoto University and a Hydrogen Energy Company
Kyoto University and a large energy company collaborated to develop a new hydrogen fuel cell technology through the “Japan Science and Technology Innovation Platform.” The technology aimed to promote the commercialization of clean energy by improving the energy conversion efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells. In the early stages of the project, the company published its technology needs through the platform and quickly found Kyoto University as a suitable partner with relevant technological reserves.
Through the platform’s technology database and partner matching functions, both parties quickly reached a cooperation agreement and received government green innovation subsidies in the early stages of the project. The project’s success relied not only on the technological cooperation between the two parties but also on the platform’s comprehensive services, including funding matching, contract templates, and technology testing environments.
The project ultimately succeeded in developing a new type of hydrogen fuel cell with a 20% increase in energy conversion efficiency, significantly reducing production costs. Against the backdrop of a gradually expanding hydrogen energy market, this technology brought significant market competitiveness to the company and provided a new breakthrough for the application of clean energy.
5.3 Collaboration Case between Osaka University and a Robotics Company
Osaka University and a robotics manufacturing company collaborated to develop an intelligent manufacturing robot system through the “Industry-Academia-Government Innovation Cooperation Platform,” helping the company optimize automation levels on production lines. The project mainly utilized Osaka University’s machine learning technology, combined with the company’s manufacturing experience, to develop intelligent robots capable of self-learning and adjusting production parameters.
Both parties connected through the platform, and the platform’s cross-domain cooperation support functions helped them solve technical issues in robot design and machine learning algorithms. Meanwhile, the platform also provided policy support for the project, ensuring that it received necessary funding subsidies during implementation.
After completion, the intelligent manufacturing robot system was successfully applied in multiple factories, significantly improving production efficiency and reducing labor costs. This project not only showcased the broad application prospects of robotics technology in manufacturing but also demonstrated the importance of open innovation platforms in coordinating cross-domain cooperation projects.
5.4 Collaboration Case between Hokkaido University and an Agricultural Technology Company
Hokkaido University and a local agricultural technology company collaborated to develop an intelligent agricultural management system through the “Regional Innovation Network Platform.” The project aimed to improve agricultural production efficiency through Internet of Things (IoT) technology, especially in monitoring crop growth under Hokkaido’s cold climate conditions.
Through the platform’s technology matching service, both parties quickly matched suitable technological solutions and obtained project start-up funding through local government support. During project implementation, the platform provided project management tools and technology testing environments for both parties, ensuring that the system’s functions could be fully verified in actual environments.
Ultimately, the intelligent agricultural system significantly improved crop yield and quality while reducing the use of fertilizers and pesticides, promoting the transformation and upgrading of the local agricultural economy. The success of this project not only contributed to local economic development but also demonstrated the important role of open innovation platforms in promoting regional technological innovation.
VI. Future Outlook for Japanese Open Innovation Platforms
As global technological competition intensifies, the role of open innovation platforms in promoting technological innovation and industrial upgrading will become increasingly important. Japanese open innovation platforms have become key carriers for international scientific and technological cooperation and technology transformation. In the future, they will further promote cross-disciplinary and cross-domain technological cooperation, especially in emerging fields such as green energy, artificial intelligence, life sciences, and biotechnology. Through more flexible cooperation models, diversified resource support, and extensive global cooperation, Japanese open innovation platforms will continue to be the core engine of technological innovation, promoting the joint progress of enterprises and research institutions.
6.1 Digital Transformation of Platforms
With the rapid development of digital technologies, open innovation platforms are accelerating their digital transformation. This not only enhances user experience but also significantly improves the efficiency and accuracy of technology matching. Through advanced technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence (AI), future innovation platforms will be able to match cooperation partners more intelligently, reducing the connection costs for enterprises and research institutions and improving cooperation efficiency.
Firstly, digital technology can help platforms achieve more precise matching of technological needs and solutions. Through automated analysis of cooperation needs and technology supply, platforms can recommend suitable partners based on the actual needs of enterprises or research institutions. For example, AI technology can quickly analyze a company’s technological background, innovation direction, and historical cooperation records on the platform, providing intelligent cooperation suggestions and thereby increasing the success rate of collaborations.
Secondly, the platform’s online management tools will be further improved to help users efficiently manage project processes. As more and more technological cooperation projects involve multiple parties, project management complexity is increasing. In the future, open innovation platforms will integrate more online project management tools, such as progress tracking, resource allocation, risk warning, and achievement evaluation functions. Through these tools, users can monitor project progress in real-time and adjust project strategies promptly, thus accelerating the transformation of innovation results.
According to a study by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), by 2025, technology cooperation projects matched through digital platforms will account for over 40% of Japan’s total industry-academia-research collaborations, with an annual growth rate of about 15%. This reflects the driving effect of platform digitalization capabilities on promoting scientific and technological innovation cooperation.
Furthermore, the platformization of intelligence will also promote the globalization of scientific and technological innovation projects. Through intelligent language processing and cross-border cooperation matching systems, global enterprises and research institutions will be able to find suitable cooperation partners more conveniently on Japanese open innovation platforms. The digital technology of platforms will make cultural, language, and time differences between cooperation partners more manageable, thus promoting the further development of global scientific and technological cooperation.
6.2 Expansion of International Cooperation
Against the background of increasingly close global scientific and technological cooperation, Japanese open innovation platforms will further internationalize, attracting more international enterprises and research institutions to participate, and promoting cross-border technological cooperation. As the need for global cooperation in addressing climate change, energy transition, health care, and other issues continues to increase, international scientific and technological cooperation has become increasingly important. Japanese open innovation platforms are gradually becoming important channels for promoting global technological cooperation and sharing technological achievements.
As a global powerhouse in scientific and technological innovation, Japan’s open innovation platforms have attracted a large number of multinational corporations to participate. For example, leading global energy companies have collaborated with Japanese research institutions to develop new green energy technologies through Japan’s science and technology innovation platforms. This has not only promoted technological progress but also accelerated the pace of Japanese companies entering international markets.
In the future, cross-border cooperation will mainly focus on the following areas:
Green Energy and Climate Change Response:
Green energy is a global focus, especially in terms of addressing climate change, where international cooperation is particularly important. Japanese open innovation platforms will attract more green energy companies from Europe and North America to participate, promoting cross-border cooperation in technologies such as hydrogen energy, solar energy, and battery storage. Cross-border cooperation can not only accelerate technology development but also help in the global promotion of these technologies.
Public Health and Medical Technology:
Against the backdrop of global health crises, global cooperation in medical technology has become an important area for open innovation. In the future, Japanese platforms will continue to attract global pharmaceutical companies and research institutions to collaborate on developing innovative drugs and diagnostic technologies, enhancing technological levels in the public health field.
Intelligent Manufacturing and Automation:
The future transformation of intelligent manufacturing will rely on cross-border technological cooperation. Japan’s manufacturing industry holds an important position globally. Through open innovation platforms, Japanese manufacturing companies will further attract technological cooperation partners from industrial powerhouses such as Germany and the United States to jointly develop intelligent manufacturing and automation technologies.
According to the 2022 Japanese Science and Technology Innovation Platform Annual Report, about 25% of international cooperation projects were initiated through this platform, and it is expected that by 2030, the proportion of cross-border cooperation projects will exceed 40%. The success of these cross-border cooperation projects has not only promoted technological breakthroughs but also set an example for global scientific and technological cooperation.
To better promote international cooperation, future open innovation platforms will establish branch offices or cooperation centers in multiple countries, helping global enterprises more conveniently access Japanese technological resources. International companies can establish in-depth cooperation with Japanese research institutions through these overseas branches of the platforms.
6.3 Strengthening of Government Policy Support
As the Japanese government places more emphasis on scientific and technological innovation, policy support for open innovation platforms will be further strengthened. The government’s role will not only be providing financial subsidies but also guiding cross-disciplinary and cross-domain cooperation projects through policy direction. Especially in emerging technology fields such as artificial intelligence, clean energy, and biotechnology, government support will be more robust, ensuring these technologies quickly move from laboratories to the market.
Firstly, the government will promote enterprise and research institution participation in open innovation platforms by establishing more funding support programs. For example, the Japanese government will further expand the existing “Green Innovation Subsidy” program and establish special innovation funds targeting artificial intelligence and biotechnology fields. Through this financial support, enterprises can better address funding pressures in R&D and accelerate the transformation of technological achievements.
Secondly, the government will increase tax incentive policies. For industry-academia-research collaboration projects conducted through open innovation platforms, enterprises can enjoy more tax deductions for R&D expenses, especially for cooperation projects involving emerging technologies. For instance, through the Japanese industry-academia-government cooperation platform, enterprises can obtain up to 30% tax relief on R&D expenses.
The government will also establish an innovation policy committee to regularly evaluate cooperation projects on open innovation platforms, ensuring continuous optimization and effective implementation of policies. According to government plans, by 2030, cooperation projects on open innovation platforms are expected to receive over 2 trillion yen in financial support.
In 2022, the Japanese government provided over 100 billion yen in financial support to various innovation projects through open innovation platforms. This figure is expected to double by 2025, exceeding 200 billion yen. This financial support will mainly focus on fields such as green energy, AI, and life sciences, promoting the rapid implementation of technologies in these areas.
Furthermore, the government will strengthen cooperation with international organizations to ensure that Japan’s innovation policies align with global scientific and technological cooperation trends. Especially in promoting solutions to global issues (such as climate change and public health crises), the Japanese government will guide more international cooperation projects to land through open innovation platforms.
Conclusion:
Japan’s open innovation platforms provide broad cooperation opportunities and resource support for enterprises and research institutions, promoting sustainable development of scientific and technological innovation. Through flexible cooperation models, rich resource matching, and strong policy support, the platforms have become an important bridge connecting scientific research and the market. In the future, as platforms continue to develop and improve, they will play an increasingly important role in promoting global scientific and technological cooperation, accelerating technology transformation, and enhancing industrial competitiveness. For users hoping to achieve enterprise upgrades and development through scientific and technological innovation, Japan’s open innovation platforms are undoubtedly an indispensable strategic tool.
