Tuesday, July 10, 2012

GENEVA — Japan is now 25th in the world when it comes to innovation, falling from 20th in 2011, according to rankings by the World Intellectual Property Organization and INSEAD, an international business school and research institute.

Of the 141 economies surveyed, Switzerland held onto the top spot, followed by Sweden and Singapore.

The rankings are based on such factors as regulatory environment, information communications technology, human capital and research.

Japan ranked seventh in infrastructure but came in 69th in creative output. China captured the top slot in innovation efficiency, followed by India.

The WIPO warned against governments cutting research and development amid the global economic crisis.

Innovation is unlikely to recover soon, even if governments resume assistance after economic recovery, it warned.

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