VLSI/ULSI research methodology in the US and Japan

When one looks at the US-Japan science and technology relationship in general, there are a number of possible viewpoints from which to approach the issue of mutual concerns. It has been said that interactions between the US and Japan have not been bilateral with respect to basic research and product development/manufacturing. The former area has had a strong unilateral flow of knowledge from the US to Japan, while the latter area has been characterized by a significant trade imbalance in industrial products. Japanese efficiency in product manufacturing versus US superiority in basic research is a topic often discussed. However, once one takes a much closer look at the mechanism and methodology of research and development, one may reach a deeper understanding of what has led to today´s situation, and, at the same time, get some hint as to how one could improve it in the future