"Tam, how about showing Jack that other memo? You know the one."
She didn't say anything, just turned back and sorted through the stack of yellow pages till she had it. Out came Jack's glasses again.
OPERATION MARKETSHARE - 90
Internal Memo No. 37
From: Kenji Asano, Deputy Minister for Research and Planning, Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)
Subject: CURRENT STATUS OF R&D
This office has now completed its review of the recent survey of research and development (R&D) by Japanese firms compiled by the Science and Technology Agency, the results of which are the subject of this memorandum. Of the companies surveyed, 70% maintain that their research is equal or superior to that of leading firms in the U.S. and Europe, although only 18.2% consider themselves in unchallenged top position. Furthermore, the remaining 30% believe their research is inferior or lagging behind the West (ref. to Table 1). Of those who reported inadequate R&D in high technology areas, the following reasons were given . . .
"Whoever wrote this is just poor-mouthing." He flipped on through the sheets, then looked up. "Saying he needs more money for basic research. I hear this kind of stuff all the time. Hell, Japan already spends nearly twice what we do per capita on nonmilitary R&D. What does he want?"
"Keep reading, Jack, and you'll see that the main R&D he's pushing is in computers and semiconductors. It ties in exactly with Ikeda's targets. This is backup consensus for the big drive."