Why is Japanese science and technology so advanced?

The Charter Oath of 1868 - a founding document of Japan's modernization under Emperor Meiji had five articles. Article 5 stated: "Knowledge shall be sought throughout the world so as to strengthen the foundations of imperial rule. read more

Ever since Commander Perry forced open Japan with his dreaded Black Ships the Japanese have been acutely aware of the power of technology. Perry demonstrated a fully operational Norris Works, one-fourth scale model train, complete with 350 feet of 18-gauge track, engine, tender, and car, representing one of these "triumphs of civilization" which he used to influence the Japanese. read more

Japan is one of the leading nations in the fields of scientific research, technology, machinery, and medical research with the world's third largest budget for research and development at $130 billion USD, and over 677,731 researchers. read more

Japanese people have a lower threshold for accepting new and unusual technology (actually not just technology, just about anything is culturally acceptable in Japan really, anything). We have the technology to create a lot of futuristic sci-fi things, but they have no market potential. read more