The Japan Research Industry Association (Kenkyu Sangyo Kyokai) has recently been established. "Research Industry" refers to the industry undertaking or supporting R&D. This Association aims at promoting R&D by seeking to solve problems allied with the R&D enterprise such as the enhancement of basic research and the furtherance of cooperation among industry, government, and universities. The current R&D environment is undergoing severe strains mainly as a result of the increasing outlays required to keep up with increasingly sophisticated and complex technologies. This fact is prompting the Association to create co-operative structures within the research industry.