1986 Reports

Japanese high technology industrial policy in comparative context

Patrick, Hugh T.

Perceptions of Japanese industrial policy have entered the American debate on economic policy in two major ways: as a possible model to emulate in developing a United States industrial policy; and as a shaper of Japanese industrial structure and comparative advantage, especially vis à vis major American industries. The main purpose of this chapter is to provide a general assessment of Japanese industrial policy -- its successes and its failures -- because that is an obvious requisite for those attempting to derive possible lessons and implications for United States policy.