Cover Story
The New System of R&D: Use the World’s Wisdom
Labor shortages are casting a shadow over Japan’s research and development efforts. What lies in store if the country sticks to its “independent” and “homegrown” R&D philosophies? Can companies survive without taking on personnel from overseas? We take a look at the competition for global labor resources.
Prologue
The world’s four main R&D centers
Software architecture requires “functional beauty.” It used to be the case that you could call yourself an embedded software engineer if you understood C language and knew your way around a microcomputer. But those days are gone. To come out on top in today’s global market, the industry needs to foster “architects”—software engineers who possess the same degree of expertise as doctors or lawyers. Ways need to be found to express the beauty of software architecture in order to convey to society the brilliance of these “architects” so that people begin to look up to them.
Opinion
China and India are no longer low-cost centers
The days of China and India being the answer to the quest to cut development costs are drawing to an end.In several years, the cost of hiring top engineers will come close to that of developed nations and at some point the two countries will be major centers for the development of cutting-edge technology.China and India have a growing presence with significant personnel exchanges occurring between these two nations and the US and Europe.Japanese firms, meanwhile, need to devise R&D strategies that encompass China and India.
The Frontline Overseas
Can Japan make ground on the US and Europe?
What is happening in Asian countries, such as India, China and the recently prominent Vietnam, boasting an abundance of able science and engineering specialists? Old conventions no longer apply. Globally-operating companies from around the world are jostling with one another to secure the human resources necessary to develop cutting-edge technologies.
Domestic Trends
Revitalizing Japan with talented human resources from overseas
Stimulating engineers in Japan, in addition to overseas bases, is vital if Japanese firms want to improve their global competitiveness. Domestic R&D bases have had a tendency to maintain a narrow outlook. But now Japanese companies are beginning efforts to revitalize their programs with an infusion of talent from other cultures, speaking languages other than Japanese.
Interview
Japanese executives offer their views
The shortage of engineering personnel in Japan is worsening. Japanese firms are going to have to reorganize their domestically-oriented R&D structures and actively bring in human resources from overseas if they wish to stay on top of the global competition. We asked senior executives from various companies about their R&D strategies and other views.
Special Feature
Preview of ISSCC 2008: The Theme Is Medical/Healthcare
At February’s International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) 2008, which focuses on cutting-edge semiconductor circuit technology, we can expect to come across a stream of new LSIs created using 45nm CMOS technology, which would point towards further progress in circuitry miniaturization. Presentations dealing with applications in the medical, healthcare and environmental fields are also likely to feature.
The Path to Implement the “Plug-in Car”: Cost Barrier to Drive an EV 10 Miles Is Broken
The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is currently enjoying much attention in the US. Automakers have established their intention to commercialize such vehicles. Revisions to California’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Regulation, which aims to reduce emissions from vehicles, will likely bring forward the commercialization of PHEVs. Automakers are attempting to break down the barrier generated by high battery cost by limiting the all-electric range of an electric vehicle to around 10 miles.
Documentary
A Patent Battle on Enemy Territory (Part 5): Forgent’s Longest Day
Tutorial
Avoiding Solder Defects through Thermal Design (Final): Causes Are Hidden in the Entire Process
In most cases, defective solder joints are caused by a combination of factors, rather than one particular problem. Potentially liable parameters must therefore be closely observed and controlled throughout the process from circuit, substrate and mechanical design stages right through to manufacturing. The optimal situation is for the person in charge of thermal design to keep tabs on the process from start to finish.
Digital Television Seminar (Part 2)-ISDB-Tsb: A “Digital Radio” Technology Different from 1seg
ISDB-Tsb is an audio and multimedia broadcasting specification based on the ISDB-T format. It enables broadcasting of original video content in the same manner as the MediaFLO technology developed by Qualcomm Inc. ISDB-Tmm, another multimedia broadcasting specification that combines the merits of ISDB-T and ISDB-Tsb formats, is also being studied.
World Report
From the US: Analyzing “Black Friday”-Most Japanese Television Manufacturers Stagnate
Keyword
Article 30 of the Copyright Act
Key Person
Gemini Mobile Technologies, Hiroshi Ohta: “Go Out into the World with Japanese Phone Technology”
NE Interview
Microsoft Research India, Assistant Managing Director, Kentaro Toyama: “You Won’t Understand Unless You Try and Visit a Slum”
News
- News from International CES 2008
- Sony, Matsushita, Samsung and Others Design Specifications for 4Gbps Wireless HD Technology
- Electronics Manufacturers Quicken the Pace of Restructuring the FPD Industry
- Toshiba Reenters the Li-ion Secondary Battery Market
- Agreement Seems to Be Reached to Continue Recording Compensation Payments
