Introduction

The present chapter deals with the Fifth Generation Computer Project initiated by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. In the following section the background to the project is analysed in order to understand the antecedents that influenced the form that the project took. Next, the objectives of the project are discussed while in the following section attention is paid to the discussions and negotiations that took place as part of the process of establishing the Institute for New Generation Computer Technology (ICOT). The initial opposition of the electronics firms to this particular project is examined as is the conflict over the choice of Prolog as the kernel language for the project.

In the following section, which constitutes the main contribution of the present chapter, the role of ICOT is analysed as a form of organization for the acquisition, assimilation, generation and diffusion of technological knowledge in the field of knowledge processing. It is shown that a firm division of labour exists between ICOT, which undertakes generic research, and the private companies which take responsibility for the commercialization of the generic technologies. The important implications of this division of labour are examined. In analysing the role of ICOT it is shown that this organization is particularly well adapted for the purposes of drawing on the international stock of knowledge in this area. The contribution of Japanese universities and companies to ICOT research is also examined. The importance of the complementary development of hardware and software in ICOT is stressed.