An incorporated administrative agency is a legal entity that acts independently of the state and manages business operations such as research, inspections and trade insurance that were formerly performed by the state. A particular feature of such agencies is that they can independently consider how to perform their operations, and run these operations in a better, more efficient manner on their own responsibility.

Specifically, each minister sets objectives to be attained by agencies under his or her jurisdiction, and each agency draws up a plan to achieve the objectives and carry out operations in line with the plan.

The results obtained are evaluated by external experts, and the evaluation is reflected in management plans for subsequent years.

Furthermore, such objectives and operation plans, as well as evaluation results, are published so that the general public is informed of the kinds of operations that are performed by the agency.

RIETI, a comprehensive policy research institution that autonomously studies policies and makes recommendations policies to maximize the synergy deriving from collaboration between policy planners, implementers, researchers and the private sector. RIETI is located in Kasumigaseki to enable close contact among stakeholders.

The agency pursues policy development based on innovative ideas underpinned by theoretical and analytical research not bound by or confined to the framework that governs the traditional policy-making process. To this end, RIETI formulates a broad framework for a given research subject consistent with policy needs, and ensures that each researcher works independently and freely within the overall framework, while taking steps to see that individual research projects are organically related to each other. RIETI also disseminates expert knowledge through symposia and other similar events. The agency thus seeks to generate synergy, actively recommending and proposing ideas to contribute to policy debate and policy-making.

In order to realize "an Intellectual Property-Based Nation," activation of the "Intellectual Creation Cycle" comprising "creation," "protection," and "exploitation" is necessary. To accomplish this, active use of intellectual property information useful for setting corporate and R&D strategies is important, as is the fostering of human resources well-versed with intellectual property.

The National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training aims to prepare and strengthen the foundation of "information" and "human resources" that support the intellectual property system and the "environment" where they are used. It carries out various activities, such as the inspection of gazettes, promotion of patent licensing, information dissemination, consultation, information system preparation, and human resources development. Fully exploiting the mobility and flexibility of an independent administrative institution, INPIT will continue to actively support the creation and exploitation of intellectual property.

AIST was established by integrating various institutions affiliated to the former Agency of Industrial Science and Technology and other bodies, and has been operating since April 2001 as Japan’s largest, and one of the world’s leading research institutes. In a dynamic, competitive research environment made possible by the shift from the national institute to the independent administrative agency, AIST explores next-generation key technologies through advanced research in leading-edge industries in such as fields of electronics, information, machinery, environment and biotechnology, and through interdisciplinary fusion research. As “supreme headquarters” for measurement standards and knowledge bases in Japan, AIST also conducts research to develop national standards for the SI-unit such as mass, length, time, electricity, temperature, luminous intensity, and amount of substance.

The foreign trade insurance system was formerly operated directly by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, with the aim of facilitating external trade conducted by Japanese enterprises; however, these operations were taken over by NEXI in April 2001 to provide efficient administrative services which are able to respond to increasingly diversifying international financial conditions and the needs of Japanese business.

As an independent administrative institution featuring increased flexibility and transparency, NEXI seeks to promote more efficient management and the upgrading of its services, in order to continue supporting Japanese firms so that they can safely conduct business overseas. (For more information on foreign trade insurance, please refer to the Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau page.)

Drawing on its achievements and experience in the technological side of economic and industrial administration, NITE efficiently collects, organizes and disseminates information relating to the fields of biotechnology, chemical management, conformity assessment, and health ande safety, as well as providing technological assessment services regarding industrial products. NITE thus aims to be a core organization for upgrading knowledge bases that form the interface between society and technology.

It is difficult for a private firm alone to carry out research and development that involves high risks or promises no short-term profit. At the same time, however, Japan needs to identify and nurture technological seeds for the future. NEDO plays a central role in managing the process of bringing together, directing, coordinating and systematizing the strengths of private firms and public research institutions equipped with advanced technological capabilities in areas of R&D that are of national importance. NEDO also undertakes activities related to introducing and disseminating new energy and energy conservation technologies that have resulted from its R&D activities, including efforts to promote the introduction and dissemination of such technologies and related projects internationally.

In an increasingly globalizing economic environment, JETRO utilizes its worldwide network of more than 70 overseas offices and 36 in Japan—plus Tokyo and Osaka headquarter facilities and the Institute of Developing Economies (IDE)—to undertake wide-ranging activities to support Japanese firms in their expansion across ASEAN, China and the rest of East Asia. JETRO’s initiatives strengthen (and help create) business alliances between Japanese and foreign firms and serve to promote foreign investment in Japan, thereby stimulating economic activity and job creation in Japan and creating opportunities for the country’s small and medium-size firms to sell their potentially competitive products and technologies in new/overseas markets. To help Japanese firms stay current with the ever-changing world economy, JETRO continuously analyzes the economic data, market information and trade and investment trends of countries around the world.

JNES was established to perform part of the administrative work relating to the inspection of nuclear facility equipment and buildings (regular and pre-operation inspections) that had previously been conducted by the state. This change aimed to achieve more efficient enforcement of nuclear safety regulations while maintaining independence and neutrality with respect to the regulated parties. In addition to performing some inspections, JNES analyzes and evaluates safety relating to the design of nuclear reactor facilities, and also studies how to secure nuclear power safety. Thus, JNES seeks to improve and upgrade the infrastructure used for the efficient enforcement of nuclear power safety regulations administered by the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency.

With the development of an IT society, software and information systems have become part of the socioeconomic infrastructure, and it is vital to assure the safety and reliability of information processing through information security measures and software quality assurance, as well as to develop advanced and original information processing technology.

In an effort to strengthen the competitive strength of the Japanese economy, IPA plays a leading role as a professional body implementing Japan’s IT policies in line with three key themes: support for software development, creation of infrastructure for reliable and safe information processing systems, and development of human resources for advanced IT.

JOGMEC provides diverse support relating to natural resources such as petroleum, natural gas and metallic minerals that have a particularly weak supply structure. JOGMEC seeks to secure a stable supply of natural resources by engaging in prospective development in collaboration with the Japanese government and many other countries, supporting private Japanese firms producing such resources, and stockpiling petroleum, petroleum gases and rare metals in case of supply disruption. In addition, JOGMEC supports activities to control mine pollution.

It is of vital importance to foster and develop diverse, dynamic, independent small and medium enterprises to maintain and strengthen the vitality of the Japanese economy and revitalize regional economies. SMRJ promotes creation and expansion of new business by SMEs and supports their efforts to upgrade their business management. SMRJ also formulates various plans to help SMEs cope with changing business environments and to safely conduct business. Through its wide-ranging support measures and expertise, SMRJ works as a core organization of SME support agencies, promoting the sharing of information and meeting needs in these fields through nine branches across the country that provide close, speedy and appropriate support for SMEs.