Mr. Takeshi UCHIYAMADA
Chairman of the Board, TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION
Major role of NIMS for Science & Technology innovation
The Prius launched at end of 1997 with the slogan "Just in Time for the 21st Century". There was a huge increase in global awareness surrounding environmental issues, and particularly greenhouse gas emissions. Launching the Prius met historical necessity. It provided innovation that met social needs. This project are developed by Toyota and our suppliers.
But for revolutionary R&D projects, it is necessary to strengthen cooperation between academia, government and industry. And it is important to create bridges between three sectors: academia, government and industry. Initial scientific discoveries must be supported and then brought to the commercialization stage. We call this cooperation ‘Open innovation’.
The Council for Science, Technology and Innovation has been very active under the administration of Prime Minister Abe. The council has also set up two research promotion projects: the "Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program", and the "Impulsing Paradigm Change through Disruptive Technologies Program". I think that these projects are good example of ‘Open innovation’. NIMS should be the center of ‘Open innovation for materials field’, and help build bridges between organizations. This can be done in a number of ways: personnel exchanges, inter-university training, technical transfers to industry through joint or commissioned research, or transfer of resources from industry to R&D organizations and universities.
