Japanese Industry Executives Call For More Technologies That Benefit Society

Abstract

A s 21st century approaches, executives of Tokyo-based Toray Industries are calling for a new era for global chemical manufacturing industry. This eco-friendly era would focus on new technologies that benefit society, Toray senior executive adviser Yoshikazu Ito told a Pacifichem '95 symposium. It would stress innovation as driving force for development of global economy and combine global thinking with intensive research and nurturing of young scientists. Realizing this vision will involve science that comes from fusion of chemistry with biotechnology, physics, electrical engineering, and other disciplines, Ito said. Moreover, he added, it will place responsibility for basic research by chemical producers squarely on shoulders of companies' chief executive officers. CEOs have to take responsibility for future of their companies, noted Ito, because the future of a company depends entirely on its R&D activities, especially on basic research. ...