ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors discuss the tendencies of the existing and possible future distribution of high technology industry, comparing with those of all manufactures. The ability of high technology industry to move into new local areas cannot be denied, though there are opposing opinions. These locational changes seem to have arisen because of the increasingly improved transport facilities such as roads, highways, and Shinkansens and jet-flight airports. In short, not much effect, including technology transfer, on less-developed or depressed areas is expected, and many commentators are sceptical as to the effect of high technology industry on regional development. High technology industry as well as population is concentrated particularly in the Tokyo area consisting of the four prefectures of Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba and Saitama. High technology industry has recently been developing all over Japan and is becoming one of the major characteristics of the Japanese economy.
