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Greetings for the New Year 2014
Looking back at 2013, Japan had an important year for its economic revival.
After naming his 2nd Cabinet, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe released 3 economic arrows called ABENOMICS - “Bold Quantitative Easing”, “Flexible Fiscal Policy” and “Developed Growth Strategy”. These measures led to both a correction of the strong yen and rising stock prices.
We are also delighted that Tokyo was chosen to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This news brought great joy to the entire country, and simultaneously cemented the resolve of Japanese companies to create more attractive products and services for people around the world and thereby boost the Japanese economy as 2020 approaches.
Meanwhile, Japan joined the TPP negotiations. The negotiation process has reportedly been arduous but is making consistent progress, and favorable results can be expected. I felt that Japan played a particularly key role in leading the TPP IP negotiations held in Tokyo.
Thus, the government’s important policy decisions and increased expectations for the Japanese economy provided a tailwind for many Japanese companies, enabling them to greatly improve their business performance. However, Japanese companies won’t be able to rely on this tailwind forever. They will have to take on the challenge of adapting to global competition and achieving further growth, and JIPA must find the best way to support them from the perspective of intellectual property.
The Basic Policy Concerning Intellectual Property Policy adopted by the Cabinet last year was based on the measures taken after the formulation of the Intellectual Property Strategy Program in 2002 and the changed socio-economic situation, and provides the following four intellectual property policy pillars for the next ten years: (1) build a global IP system to enhance industrial competitiveness; (2) support the enhancement of IP management by SMEs and venture companies; (3) improve the environment for adjustment to a digital network society; and (4) strengthen soft power by focusing on the content industry. In accordance with this basic policy, the government developed the Intellectual Property Policy Vision, which incorporates long-term policy challenges, and constant progress is being made in the implementation of measures related to IP.
In connection with these measures, JIPA has been recommending a fundamental review of the employee invention system for the last two years to enhance industrial competitiveness, and it approached the government to request that the system be reformed into one truly conducive to innovation. The government started holding discussions with experts on this issue last year. JIPA will continue to work to ensure that these efforts reach fruition.
From a global perspective, discussions and negotiations have begun to establish a Japan-China-South Korea FTA and a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with the ultimate goal of creating a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). In ASEAN countries, where strong economic growth is expected, the development of IP systems is imperative so that companies can invest actively and without anxiety. I believe that JIPA can leverage its experience and performance to greatly contribute not only to providing support for the construction of systems but also to developing human resources specialized in IP. In addition to providing cooperation in the field of IP, JIPA is required to make broader efforts, with the aim of building confidence in Japan as a whole and establishing important partnerships with other countries in this region to achieve continued growth.
To conclude, I would like to express my wishes for the continued success of JIPA’s members and a prosperous new year.
January 2014
Michiyoshi Mazuka, Chairperson of JIPA
After naming his 2nd Cabinet, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe released 3 economic arrows called ABENOMICS - “Bold Quantitative Easing”, “Flexible Fiscal Policy” and “Developed Growth Strategy”. These measures led to both a correction of the strong yen and rising stock prices.
We are also delighted that Tokyo was chosen to host the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This news brought great joy to the entire country, and simultaneously cemented the resolve of Japanese companies to create more attractive products and services for people around the world and thereby boost the Japanese economy as 2020 approaches.
Meanwhile, Japan joined the TPP negotiations. The negotiation process has reportedly been arduous but is making consistent progress, and favorable results can be expected. I felt that Japan played a particularly key role in leading the TPP IP negotiations held in Tokyo.
Thus, the government’s important policy decisions and increased expectations for the Japanese economy provided a tailwind for many Japanese companies, enabling them to greatly improve their business performance. However, Japanese companies won’t be able to rely on this tailwind forever. They will have to take on the challenge of adapting to global competition and achieving further growth, and JIPA must find the best way to support them from the perspective of intellectual property.
The Basic Policy Concerning Intellectual Property Policy adopted by the Cabinet last year was based on the measures taken after the formulation of the Intellectual Property Strategy Program in 2002 and the changed socio-economic situation, and provides the following four intellectual property policy pillars for the next ten years: (1) build a global IP system to enhance industrial competitiveness; (2) support the enhancement of IP management by SMEs and venture companies; (3) improve the environment for adjustment to a digital network society; and (4) strengthen soft power by focusing on the content industry. In accordance with this basic policy, the government developed the Intellectual Property Policy Vision, which incorporates long-term policy challenges, and constant progress is being made in the implementation of measures related to IP.
In connection with these measures, JIPA has been recommending a fundamental review of the employee invention system for the last two years to enhance industrial competitiveness, and it approached the government to request that the system be reformed into one truly conducive to innovation. The government started holding discussions with experts on this issue last year. JIPA will continue to work to ensure that these efforts reach fruition.
From a global perspective, discussions and negotiations have begun to establish a Japan-China-South Korea FTA and a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) with the ultimate goal of creating a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). In ASEAN countries, where strong economic growth is expected, the development of IP systems is imperative so that companies can invest actively and without anxiety. I believe that JIPA can leverage its experience and performance to greatly contribute not only to providing support for the construction of systems but also to developing human resources specialized in IP. In addition to providing cooperation in the field of IP, JIPA is required to make broader efforts, with the aim of building confidence in Japan as a whole and establishing important partnerships with other countries in this region to achieve continued growth.
To conclude, I would like to express my wishes for the continued success of JIPA’s members and a prosperous new year.
January 2014
Michiyoshi Mazuka, Chairperson of JIPA
[Update 2014-01-07 ]
