Innovation Crisis ― Successes, Pitfalls, and Solutions in Japan

After devoting 21 years of his life and a substantial part of his earnings to physics research, Prof. Eiichi Yamaguchi thought of dedicating the rest of his life to it. However, this thought brought the awareness about the worthlessness of research if it did not convert to anything of value and the imminent perishment of science and innovation in Japan. He felt an urgent need to save this sinking ship or it would be disrespectful to future generations.

What has gone wrong in Japan that has led to this innovation crisis? This quest spanned 18 years and several academic disciplines, and initially it appeared it had no context. But only after putting all the different pieces together did Prof. Yamaguchi realize that it was actually one story. In this completely new, meaningful, and interesting book, he integrates his research on innovation policy, innovation theory, and trans-science. He begins the book with a detailed story of the innovation of blue LEDs for which three Japanese scientists received Nobel Prize in physics in 2014.

Eichii Yamaguchi is professor at Kyoto University, Japan, since 2014. He received his MSc and DSc from the University of Tokyo, Japan, in 1977 and 1984, respectively. He has been senior physicist at NTT Basic Research Laboratory, executive fellow at 21st Century Public Policy Institute of Keidanren, and professor at Doshisha University, Japan.