일본 주요 소재⋅부품산업의 글로벌 시장 경쟁력에 대한 연구

A Study on the Global Market Competitiveness of Japan’s Major Materials and Parts Industries

Purpose: Material and parts industries are the industries that operate just before final finished products, and they play a very important role in determining the performance, quality, price competitiveness, and value added of final finished products. Today, Japan’s material and parts industry hold high market dominance worldwide in many areas, and it is showing a strong presence in the high-tech materials and parts industries based on differentiated and specialized processing technology. In this study, by analyzing specifically what differentiated competitive sources the companies have, we will find ways to improve their competitive edge in the global materials and parts market with a focus on Japan’s IT and electric automobile sectors. Research design, data, and methodology: In this study, the author adopted a case study method utilizing statistical data analysis and literature review to analyze global competitive status, competitive sources and challenges of Japanese materials and parts companies in the IT and electric automobile sectors. Results: Japanese materials and parts industries were found to have various sources of competitiveness such as acquiring the niche market, establishing ultra-high technologies that cannot be followed by foreign companies, creating added value through partnerships between different industries and between manufacturers and trading companies. Of these sources of competitiveness, it should be noted that Japanese companies develop unique technologies in their niche market by focusing their business resources to their niche market. Based on this strategy, Japanese material and parts companies were able to establish themselves as the world’s most advanced technology in the field by focusing on unique competitive technology. Implications: As a result of Korea’s policy on the development of material and parts industries since the 2010s, its dependence on Japan has been found to decreased. However, in order for Korea to be competitive in material and parts industries, it is necessary to innovate technology. In order to overwhelm Japan, which has the world’s best material and parts production competitiveness, continuous research and development by related companies are needed.