Abstract
This paper investigates the driving factors of overseas R&D by Japanese electronics firms, based on the 1991 and 2001 data. In the beginning of the 1990s, it is shown that the overseas R&D of Japanese electronics firms were mainly concentrated in North America, and the main purposes of these firms were the gaining of advanced knowledge and talent in these countries. However, 2001 data shows the local diversity of R&D activities, and the number of new R&D units' establishment was increasing especially in Asia. The importance of the demand-side factors of overseas R&D activities, such as supporting the local marketing or manufacturing activity, is rising especially since the 90s. The acquisitions of overseas R&D resources, called the supply-side factors, are also continued. These findings show that the overseas R&D by Japanese electronics firms is changing in the both direction.
