An incorporated administrative agency is a judicial person that acts independently of the state and manages business operations such as research, inspection 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 can see what kind of operations are performed by the agency. |
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| Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI) |
| RIETI, an incorporated administrative agency, is a full-scale policy research institution that autonomously studies and recommends 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 with a variety of collaborators.
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 individually and freely within the framework while seeing that individual research projects are organically related to each other. RIETI also accesses 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 policymaking.
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| National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training (NCIPI) |
As well as offering the latest scientific and technological data, industrial property rights information indicates the extent of any rights held. Hence, proactive utilization of such rights information is vital for companies drawing up business or R&D strategies.
Renamed NCIPI in October 2004, this institute took charge of managing the Industrial Property Digital Library (IPDL) and human resources development activities such as organizing workshops for those seeking to become prior art searchers. The institution also seeks to upgrade and strengthen the infrastructure necessary for more expeditious patent examination by integrating the above activities into the environment-building activities aimed at patent utilization such as consultation services for prior applicants and promotion of patent circulation, thus building and strengthening the foundations necessary to accelerate the patent examination process. |
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| National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) |
| AIST was created by integrating various institutions affiliated to the former Agency of Industrial Science and Technology and others, and has been in 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 a state-run research institute to an independent agency, AIST explores next-generation key technologies through advanced research in leading-edge industries such as electronics, information, machinery, environment and biotechnology, and through cross-sector research projects. As Japan's "supreme headquarters" for measuring standards and knowledge bases, AIST also conducts research to develop standards for mass and length, and to establish standards for measuring endocrine disruptors. |
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| Nippon Export and Investment Insurance (NEXI) |
Created with the aim of facilitating external trade conducted by Japanese enterprises, the foreign trade insurance system was formerly operated directly by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; however, these operations were taken over by NEXI in April 2001 to provide an efficient administrative service to respond to diversifying international financial conditions and the needs of Japanese business firms.
As an incorporated administrative agency with increased flexibility and agility, NEXI seeks more efficient management and upgrading of its service to continue supporting Japanese firms so that they can safely conduct business overseas (for more information on foreign trade insurance, see the Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau page). |
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| National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE) |
| 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 life & welfare, 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. |
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| New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) |
| It is difficult for a private firm alone to carry out research and development that involves high risks or promises no short-term profit; however, Japan needs to produce and nurture the seeds of future technologies. NEDO plays a major role in managing the process of bringing together, controlling, coordinating and systematizing the strengths of private firms and public research organizations equipped with advanced technological capabilities in areas of R&D of national importance. NEDO also undertakes activities related to introducing and disseminating new-energy or energy-saving technologies resulting from R&D activities, while providing support for such technologies and related projects in the international arena. |
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| Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) |
| 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 and the IDE continuously analyze economic data, market information and trade and investment trends of countries around the world. |
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| Japan Nuclear Energy Safety (JNES) |
| 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. |
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| Information-Technology Promotion Agency (IPA) |
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.
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| Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) |
| JOGMEC provides diverse support relating to natural resources such as petroleum, natural gas and metallic minerals that have 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. |
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| Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation (SMRJ) |
| 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 business management. SMRJ also formulates various plans to help SMEs cope with changing business environments and safely conduct business. Based on its wide-ranging support measures and expertise, SMRJ works as a core organization of SME support agencies, promoting the sharing of information and needs in these fields through nine branches across the country that provide close, speedy and accurate support for SMEs. |
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| INDEX |
| Economic and Industrial Policy Bureau | Trade Policy Bureau | Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau |
| Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau | Manufacturing Industries Bureau |
| Commerce and Information Policy Bureau | Agency for Natural Resources and Energy | Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency |
| Small and Medium Enterprise Agency | Japan Patent Office | Minister's Secretariat |
| Regional Bureaus Industrial Safety and Inspection Department | Introduction to Incorporated Administrative Agencies |
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