September 14-16, 2009, Fukuoka, Kumamoto and Oita - In collaboration with the Kyushu headquarters of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(Kyushu METI) and local host institutions in Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Oita, Fukuoka American Center(FAC) arranged for Stanford University professor Dr. Richard Dasher to speak on the importance of ‘open innovation’ in enhancing corporate and regional competitiveness. At each venue, approximately 100 people from business, government, academia and media attended the seminars.

Dr. Dasher explained that open innovation is the concept that firms can use and share ideas across company boundaries. In open innovation, knowledge flows more freely between companies, organizations and people thereby accelerating advances in research, development, and technology as well as potentially opening new markets. Open innovation can occur in different degrees and Dr. Dasher referred to university-industry collaboration as a special type of open innovation. He also argued that customer-focused innovation is particularly important during an economic downturn.

The series of programs were implemented as part of FAC's annual multi-city program held in conjunction with Kyushu METI and local co-sponsors since 2001. The program is aimed at promoting entrepreneurship and revitalizing business and industry in the Kyushu region. In addition to Kyushu METI, FAC would like to thank the Fukuoka Institute of Technology, Kumamoto University and the Kumamoto prefectural government, and Oita Prefectural Organization for Industry Creation and Oita Conference on Promotion of Industry-University-Government Collaboration for their cooperation.