Abstract
Japan's Science and Technology Basic Plan has successfully enhanced fundamental research activities and promoted industry-academia collaboration, though there are still relatively few success stories of academy-based venture businesses. The Tohoku district has seen burgeoning consortia and academy-based ventures, but has yet to attract more businesses related to some prioritized target areas to form a network between different players. A candidate for this particular district is MEMS, for which one of the leading research laboratory exists in Tohoku University. The Third Phase of the Plan should take regional initiatives into account, including transfer of financial sources to local authorities.
