Regional Cluster Development Measures and New Technology Based Firms Cultivation in Japan

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to reveal significant factors within a cluster that influence the fostering of new technology based firms (hereafter abbreviated NTBFs) and determine which measures should be given priority in aiding regional improvement. In this paper, a questionnaire survey was conducted with project directors of regional knowledge cluster headquarters promoted by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, NTBFs, as well as, external specialists such as attorneys, patent attorneys, certified public accountants, and venture capital firms. The questionnaire survey revealed that “diffusion of technology and knowledge” is most highly valued for function of basic research, “customer” for product development function and sales function, regarding cluster features identified of being importance in locating each of the company’s functions. Secondly, while not only NTBFs but also both external specialists and knowledge cluster project directors recognize the importance of “workforce and human resources” in the cultivation of NTBFs in the clusters. Lastly, NTBFs have request in maximizing the potential use of universities, existing facilities and measures based on the survey results, policy implications concerning the knowledge cluster initiative will also be discussed.