When discussing topics like "earthquakes," "anime," and "automobiles," one country often comes up—Japan.
Although Japan's total area is about 378,000 square kilometers, which isn't very large geographically, it exhibits strengths in some cutting-edge technology fields that surpass even the world's superpower, the United States.
Many media outlets rank Japan among the top countries globally, indicating that Japan's comprehensive strength on the international stage should not be underestimated.
Next, let us explore Japan's outstanding performance in four technological fields.
The saying "small but perfectly formed" fits Japan perfectly.
Despite being an island nation with limited land area, Japan has achieved significant accomplishments in fields like economy, technology, and medicine.
Particularly in the military sector, Japan has maintained a strong emphasis on submarine manufacturing, achieving remarkable results through continuous research and technological accumulation.
Although Japan's submarine manufacturing technology started relatively late, it developed rapidly after World War II.
In the early post-war period, Japan established its submarine manufacturing system by introducing American submarine technology and combining it with its own innovations.
Especially in the 1970s, Japan revived submarine research by leasing "Shark" class submarines and successfully designed and manufactured the "Oyashio" submarine within four years.
Subsequently, Japan continuously upgraded its submarine technology. Today, the "Soryu" class submarines are equipped with lithium-ion batteries, making Japan the only country in the world to possess this technology, thus significantly improving the submarines' endurance.
Japan's achievements in robotics manufacturing are also noteworthy.
The rapid post-war recovery of Japan's economy concealed a problem of labor shortage, prompting the government to shift from a "trade-based" to a "technology-based" nation.
This shift propelled Japan's rapid development in robotics technology.
Japan introduced advanced robotics technology in 1967 and developed its first industrial robot the following year.
Since then, Japan's robotics industry has entered a phase of rapid development.
By 1986, Japan's robot inventory had reached 100,000 units, surpassing the United States and earning it the title of "Robot Kingdom."
In the era of intelligence, Japan has not only continued innovation in industrial robotics but also conducted research and applications in household entertainment and medical care, laying the foundation for future development through the "New Robotics Strategy."
Semiconductor technology is one of the core technologies of the modern intelligent era.
In chip manufacturing, the performance of semiconductor materials and equipment is crucial.
Japan also holds a prominent position in the semiconductor field, especially in semiconductor materials and equipment technology.
In the late 1960s, with strong government support and its own technological accumulation, Japan quickly rose to become a leader in the semiconductor field, even surpassing the United States at one point.
Although Japan later failed to maintain its leading position due to economic bubbles and technological blockades, its advantage in semiconductor materials remains significant.
According to a September 2023 report, Japan holds over 90% of the market share for photolithography materials needed for chips below 5nm.
In addition to photolithography materials, Japan's market share in core semiconductor materials like photomasks, silicon wafers, and ceramic plates also exceeds 50%.
In the semiconductor equipment field, Japan almost monopolizes the front-end market, and its market share in back-end equipment like dicing saws and molding machines also exceeds half of the global market.
Machine tool technology plays a crucial role in high-precision manufacturing.
Japan's performance in machine tool manufacturing is equally commendable.
In the 1950s, after introducing advanced CNC machine tool technology, Japan rapidly enhanced its machine tool manufacturing capabilities.
By 1982, Japan's machine tool production had surpassed that of the United States, and its service system was also gradually improving.
According to July 2024 data, global machine tool orders increased by 8% year-on-year, with growth mainly coming from overseas markets, reflecting Japan's strong performance in the international market.
Japan's outstanding performance in submarine manufacturing, robotics technology, semiconductor materials and equipment, and machine tool manufacturing demonstrates its significant position in the global technology field.
Mastering core technologies not only enhances a country's overall strength but also secures a favorable position in international competition.
Technological innovation and progress have profound impacts on a country's economic and political status.
In the future, facing increasingly fierce international competition, Japan must continue to delve into technology to maintain its leading position.
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