「知的クラスター創成事業」再考(<特集>クラスター戦略)

抄録

The Knowledge Cluster Initiative, started in 2002, will soon see the results of the intermediate review for the 12 cluster areas where activities began in the first year. In addition, the Second Phase of the Science and Technology Basic Plan, the promoter of the Knowledge Cluster Initiative, is to enter the final fiscal year of the planned period. The Government has already begun studies for the Third Phase. Although the Knowledge Cluster Initiative has contributed to establishment of regional industry-academia-government collaboration schemes, it has not yet formed real clusters. Evaluation of results and development of future policies expected after the conclusion of the five-year period should take into account the period needed to cluster formation. The intended cooperation with the national Industrial Cluster Project is has generally been successful ; many activities are based on regional characteristics and leadership. Increasing autonomy of local governments is reflected in the movement towards more effective and efficient implementation of policies through more concerted actions of government agencies in terms of policies concerning promotion of regional innovations, as exemplified by the Council for Science and Technology Policy's initiatives for collaboration, and the Inter-Agency Liaison Committee on Regional Technology with the Regional Block Conferences. Establishing competitive regional innovation systems that support development of the national economy and society is an important national goal. The present situation described above requires further enhancement of policies for creating innovative clusters.