The AEA members stressed that, in their view, much progress has been made in making it possible for American business firms to sell in the Japanese market. However, while barriers faced by U.S. products have been lowered, much remains to be done, and pressure for further lowering of such barriers must continue. It must be noted that much depends on the willingness of each American firm to make a strong effort to establish themselves in Japan. It has generally been the experience of U.S. electronics firms that those who come to Japan willing to make the necessary effort can succeed. One indication of the progress made is that in past years American firms succeeded mostly through joint ventures with Japanese firms. Today American firms can succeed through an actual, separate business presence in Japan. The Japanese have often been helpful. For example, American company representatives now serve as members of Japanese standards committees, not, as in the past, as advisors to such committees. The U.S. embassy in Tokyo is also working very well with American business representatives, and several of the AEA members noted that not enough can be said about the helpfulness of Ambassador Mansfield and his staff. One of the industry representatives felt that the U.S. Trade Representative might spend more time actually in Japan. The U.S. companies felt that a significant adjustment in the Yen-Dollar ratio is the key to further trade progress. Any level below 200 Yen to the Dollar should put American products in very good shape in the Japanese market. MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER'S COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Date: January 10, 1986 Location: Council for Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan Established in 1959, the Council for Science and Technology is the highest Government policy organization for science and technology. It is nominally chaired by the Prime Minister and by law, the Prime Minister must consult with the Council whenever it is necessary to coordinate the policies of the various administrative agencies. In addition to the Chairman, the Council consists of ten members of which five are government officials. The government members are: the Minister of Finance; the Minister of Education, Science and Culture; the Minister of State for Economic Planning; the Minister of State for Science and Technology; and the President of the Science Council of Japan. The remaining five members are selected at large by the Prime Minister and are normally ex-government officials, industry officials, and academic personnel. In addition, the Council has expert members and staff who through working panels, review special problems and develop and recommend policies. The role of the council has changed substantially over the past several years in order to keep pace with the emerging importance of technology to the Japanese economy. At this time, there is a widely held perception that, in seeking an independent and relevant science and technology base, Japan may have failed to promote basic research and a sustaining intellectual manpower pool to an adequate extent. Recently, much of the council's activity has focused on this problem. Officials Present: The Council was represented by the following: Mr. Nagara Director General of the Council's Planning Bureau Mr. Yamashita - Member, President of Mitsui Ship Building and Mr. Ikamoto Engineering Co. Ltd. Member, Ex President of Kyoto University Technology Agency Director of Planning Division for the Science and Technology The U.S. delegation was led by Mr. Fuqua and included Mr. Mineta, Ms. Summary of Discussions: The discussions were initiated by Mr. Nagara who provided a brief history of Japan's interest in science and technology beginning with Japan's earliest exposure to the west with the visit of Admiral Perry. He explained that a long recognized problem was Japan's emphasis on the utility of science and technology rather than intellectual advancement on its own merit. The result of this is the recognition that Japan has not invested in basic research to an adequate extent. This issue was addressed by a special study and recommendations issued by the Council in November 1984. In relevant part, these recommendations speak to: the need to emphasize basic research and technology; the harmonization between science and technology and basic human values; and the roles of international cooperation and the strengthening of international relations. Mr. Fuqua commended the Council on its recommendations. Ms. Lloyd inquired of the council's representatives the status of Japan's program for a multi-purpose high technology nuclear reactor. At this time the Japanese are studying the options of proceeding with a test experimental reactor. The Council replied that this option was still under study and no decision had yet been made. Mr. Mineta asked the Council about their priorities in science and technology policy that have resulted from the November 1984 Council report. Mr. Yamashita, who chaired that study group, characterized three specific priorities embodied in a proposed law for promotion of basic R&D: revitalization of the National Institution: establishment of a national research and development policy; and improved relations between industry, academia, and government The Council is now considering these actions and Parliament is likely to act on them soon. Mr. Takeyasu asked the delegation about the Committee's Task Force on Science Policy. Mr. Fuqua described the objectives and current progress of the Policy Task Force. The issues identified by the Task Force appear to be comparable in many respects to those of the Council for Science and Technology. MEETING AT KYOCERA CORPORATION Date: January 10, 1986 Location: 5-22 Kitalnoue-cho, Higashino Background: Kyocera Corporation is the largest ceramic manufacturer in Japan employing over 15,000 (including over 2,000 in the U.S.) with sales approaching $1.3 billion annually. Kyocera is in the forefront of advanced ceramic research and applications, leading many of Japan's efforts in structural and electronic ceramics. The scope of their activities include multilayered semiconductor devices; V.L.S.I. microcircuits; single crystal sapphires for orthodontics and jewelry; and use of alumina, silicon nitride/carbide and partially stabilized zirconia for structural applications, including adiabatic heat engines for automobiles. Officials present: Mr. Ryasho Nagai, Director, Tokyo Office, Kyocera Corporation Mr. Isao Yukawa, Assistant General Manager, Fine Ceramics Division, Kyocera Mr. Seikoh Sakiyama, Office of the Counselor for Science and Dr. Paul C. Maxwell, Science Consultant, Committee on Science and Highlights of the Meeting: The initial discusson focused on the corporate and research structure of the company. In addition to eleven plants operating in Japan, Kyocera has located plants in the U.S. (San Diego, California; Vancouver, Washington; and Hendersonville, North Carolina) focused on advanced electronic ceramics, and in Canada, Brazil, West Germany and Hong Kong focused on cameras and optics. The plant in Hendersonville is a joint effort with Feldmuehle of West Germany. Kyocera has approximately 15 PhD's, 200 M.S., and 800 B.S./Engineers. Mr. Nagal indicated that the company is currently spending approximately $7.5 million on structural ceramics research, about 15% of their total R&D budget. (The corporation's annual report puts their R&D expenses at $20.8 million; structural ceramics would be more equal to 36.1% of R&D with this figure). He also indicated that they are receiving only $200,000 in research funds from the government of Japan for structural ceramics R&D. In reference to national policy, Mr. Nagai and Dr. Hamano suggested that the current "ceramic fever" was due in large part to their company's successes in ceramic packaging for electronics as well as initiatives in the U.S. for advance gas turbine adiabatic engines. (Dr. Hamano was quite familiar with the DOE/NASA AGT programs). Dr. Hamano also stated that MITI's decision to focus on advanced fine ceramics was due in large part to Ideas from Kyocera. There are currently 15 member companies of a MITI "association" in structural ceramics with an additional 180 associated companies. Kyocera appears to have no collaborative research programs with any universities, though they help support several chaired positions in Japan as well as at MIT in the U.S. Within their company they have one group devoted exclusively to basic R&D. The remaining researchers are broken into groups oriented to specific application problems (e.g., adiabatic engines). When such applied work is found to be successful, they are moved as a unit to the production line to incorporate their findings into the final product. Whereas they have no collaborative efforts with academia, they work closely with other industries. In the case of structural ceramics for automobiles they are strongly collaborating with Isuzu, Honda and Mitsubishi. (Ceramic glow plugs and hot plugs for diesel engines were put into production with Isuzu in 1983). When asked about areas of joint research between Japan and the U.S. in this field Dr. Hamano indicated that work on ceramic standards, suggested in a recent National Academy of Sciences report perhaps, would be appropriate for academic, but not industry. Rather the industries in each country should focus on industry-to-industry collaborative efforts such as those currently underway with General Motors and Allison-Chalmers. In conclusion, the Committee staff was left with a number of impressions: (1.) Kyocera works strongly independent of MITI and national policy directons; rather it is Kyocera that helps formulate such policies; (2.) The state of the art for structural ceramics is advancing rapidly. Isuzu with Kyocera appears to be strongly positioned to introduce on a mass production scale, a compound turbo, ceramic adiabatic engine. prototype engine will be shown this March in Detroit. A Mr. Vincent Coates, Director, Congressional Liaison Mr. Tom Reed, Contractor Project Manager AVCO/Textron AMOS/MOTIF Captain W. Widenhiemer, Project Manager U.S. Air Force The AVCO Research Laboratory of Textron Corporation is the managing contractor for the AMOS/MOTIF observatory in Maui's Science City. The following information on the facility capability was provided by the contractor: THE AMOS/MOTIF OBSERVATORY The AMOS/MOTIF Observatory is the largest facility in Maui's The AMOS 1.6 meter telescope is a unique facility and the following capability description was provided: THE 1.6 METER TELESCOPE The AMOS 1.6 meter telescope is one of the finest optical operating mount attitudes, the large 1.6 meter parabolic primary There are also two 1.2 meter telescopes at the observatory and their capability description follows: THE 1.2 METER TELESCOPES These dual telescopes are classical Cassegrain optical systems telescopes on the right has a smaller, wide field acquisition The The AMOS facility also posseses an optical system, the LBD, used to project laser beams from the observatory. Its mode of operation is described as follows: THE AMOS LASER BEAM DIRECTOR The AMOS Laser Beam Director (LBD) is an optical system used to |