Japanese Electronics Companies Research Articles

Recent VLSI neural networks in Japan

In this article, recent research activities on the development of electronic neural networks in Japan are reviewed. Most of the largest Japanese electronic companies have developed VLSI neural chips using analog, digital or optoelectronic circuits. They have run various neural networks on them. Recently, in Japan, digital approach becomes active. Several fully-digital VLSI chips for on-chip BP learning have been developed, and 2.3 GCUPS (Giga Connection Updates per Second) learning speed has already been attained. Although the numbers of neurons and synapses containable in single digital chips are small, a large neural network can be developed by cascading the chips. By cascading 72 chips, a fully interconnected PDM (Pulse Density Modulating) digital neural network system has been developed. The behavior of the system follows simultaneous nonlinear differential equations and the processing speed amounts to 12 GCPS (Giga Connections per Second). Intensive researches on analog and optoelectronic approaches have also been carried out in Japan. An analog VLSI neural chip attains 28 GCUPS on-chip learning speed and 1 TCPS (Tera Connections per Second) processing speed for Boltzmann machine with 1 bit digital output. For the optoelectronic approach, although the network size is small, 640 MCUPS BP learning speed has been attained.

Hardware implementation of neural networks in Japan

In this paper, research activities on hardware implementation of neural networks in Japan are reviewed. In Japan, digital, analog, and optoelectronic technologies have been applied to neural network hardware. Among them, digital approach is the most prevailing. Several types of on-chip BP learning have been implemented in digital hardware, and 2.3 GCUPS (Giga Connection Updates Per Second) learning speed has already been attained. Most of the largest Japanese electronic companies have developed this kind of system and have run various neural networks on it. Although the most prevailing approach is digital, intensive researches on analog and optoelectronic approaches are also carried out. For analog approach, 28 GCUPS on-chip learning speed and 1 TCPS (Tera connections Per Second) processing speed for Boltzmann machine with 1 bit digital output have been obtained. For the optoelectronic approach, although the network size is small, 640 MCUPS BP learning speed has been attained.

Japan's Growing Capabilities in Industrial Technology: Implications for U.S. Managers and Policymakers

This article surveys the transformation in Japanese technological capabilities since 1960 and assesses the implications of this transformation for the business strategies of U.S. and foreign firms and for U.S. public policy. Much of the R&D activity by foreign firms in Japan appears to aim at modifying products and processes for the Japanese market, rather than tapping into the science and technology infrastructure to create new products and processes for the global market. Japanese electronic companies, on the other hand, appear to be active investors in R&D in the United States, and active alliance partners as well. In some industries, many U.S. firms are responding to the opportunity to access the Japanese research system. However, important public policy issues remain over questions of structure, access, and contributions of Japanese and American firms to global scientific and technogical resarch.

Japanese corporations and popular music

It has been a long time since Japan was first considered an economic power. Japanese automobile, electronic and computer companies have entered the world market and are now competing fiercely with each other. Their financial power and technologies are focused both domestically and overseas, and their launch into culture through advertising strategies is another facet of that power which has emerged since the 1980s (Un'no 1990).

Japanese manufacturing efficiency: a study in the electronics industry

The paper reports on a mission of European manufacturing executives to study ‘just-in-time’ and ‘total quality’ control in nine Japanese electronics companies. Among the main findings are that it is too simplistic to claim that the success of the Japanese manufacturing companies is just due to their culture, this undoubtedly gives them an edge but management is the key difference; their longer term commitment to improvement and how they use the technology and related techniques to improve manufacturing efficiency are other primary reasons for the success. It is also pointed out that the solid foundation which has been built during the last 25 to 30 years on total quality control, quality-control circles and employee suggestions, is allowing them to make still greater improvements in manufacturing efficiency through concepts such as just-in-time and total productive maintenance.