New direction and strategy of MOT practice in Japan - from "just-in-time production" to "just-in-time innovation"

The concept of industrial competitiveness, emerged in America in the 1980s, has now became critical for Japan. An intensive survey has clarified the MOT capability is an essential factor to recover and enhance the competitiveness. This paper reviews the paradigm shift of MOT and propose a cross-generation innovation model and a new type of technologist "techno-producer" that promotes the radical innovation process. The conclusion suggests a new direction of MOT in focusing on "just-in-time innovation" strategy as a common objective to share among corporate and organizations by applying the technology roadmapping under the basic principle of "symbiotic competitiveness".