US Department of Defense and IBM Tokyo

Thanks to u/christofooch I went down a rabbit hole of online reports that include any information about IBM Tokyo. One of these reports was produced for the US Department of Defense (Committee on Globalization of Science and Technology: Opportunities and Challenges for the Department of Defense) so I thought it would be relevant for this subreddit.

The full report can be accessed here. On page 80, IBM Tokyo is singled out as a case study:

"A discussion with IBM Research–Tokyo on their criteria for opening a new international R&D center highlighted some key elements of success- ful engagement. The proposed technology center has to be strategically relevant, the location must have a critical mass of talent, and there needs to be stable and long-term government support for the technology. There also must be openness to partnering along with respect for intellectual property. Although IBM hires in-country, they always place experienced U.S. researchers at the center to provide insight into applications and to provide connectivity with other centers. IBM Research–Tokyo noted that critical mass can provide important input for spotting emerging technology areas ripe for partnership. For example, highly talented, but isolated indi- viduals could imply a lack of sectoral or governmental support or invest- ment or a lack of connectivity to the global S&T enterprise."

The purpose of the report and the program is summarized on page 27:

"Department of Defense’s international S&T engagement and collaboration efforts serve two purposes: to maintain awareness of, and to ultimately leverage, militarily relevant S&T capabilities developed outside the United States, and to develop and nurture strategic defense relationships with other countries. The ongoing globalization of research and development, as well as the interconnectedness of international research communities, has important implications for both of these defense objectives."