THE UNITED-STATES, JAPAN AND THE CHANGING TECHNOLOGICAL BALANCE

An examination is made of U.S. and Japanese company patents issued in the United States in two time periods 1976-1980 and 1981-1985. The data show that over the time period being considered, the ratio of U.S. to Japanese company patents fell dramatically: in 1976 there were 5.7 U.S. company patents per Japanese company patent, while in 1985 the ratio fell to 2.5:1.0. When patent trends are examined according to specific technologies, it is clear that Japanese corporate patent performance is strongest in those areas that are most viable commercially. In some of these areas, Japanese companies actually out-patent U.S. companies (e.g. in photography and photocopier technologies). A review of 350 patent classes shows an erosion of the U.S. patent position in most cases. The U.S. position relative to Japanese companies improved in only 17 of the 350 classes. An examination is also made of patent citations made by patent examiners. These data show a strong presence of Japanese company patents in lists of the most highly cited patents. All in all, the study suggests that the Japanese possess a rigorous innovative efffort. © 1990.