Economics

Brain Power Pays Off With Japan’s Intellectual Property Exports

Developing earnings from IP is a key focus as country ages

TOKYO, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 16: Participants drive around Tokyo in Mario Kart characters for the Real Mario Kart event in Tokyo on November 16, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. The organizer calls for participants to this event held about once a month on Facebook, and Akiba Kart offers rental karts that can be driven on public streets. (Photo by Keith Tsuji/Getty Images)
Photographer: Keith Tsuji/Getty Images

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By Connor Cislo

January 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Intellectual property is generating soaring revenue for Japan, jumping by 74 percent over the past five years to a record in 2017, according to the latest government data.

Developing and protecting it is a key element of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s long-term growth strategy, which calls for greater investment in innovation to create wealth as the nation’s workforce ages and shrinks.