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Looking back on 2013, we realize there were such bright spots as the designation of Mount Fuji as a World Heritage site and Tokyo's selection as the host city for the 2020 Summer Olympics. These events have given us a chance to rediscover that what Japan possesses is worthwhile. For 2014, a valid policy is to revitalize the economy by discovering the values of Japan's latent competitiveness (Note 1). In this column, I will discuss the significance of discovering the values by citing an example of how industrial technologies originating in Japan, in areas that are probably surprising for many people, have become globally competitive. The example is a programming language called Ruby, which has become an international standard. Technological trendsTraditionally, development of programming languages has been done mostly in English-speaking countries. In particular, the main center for the development of major programming languages is the United States. For example, the language C was developed by AT&T Labs, Inc. and Java by the former Sun Microsystems, Inc.—both of which are U.S. companies. As is often said, if the most important British export is the English language (a natural language), the U.S. equivalent may be programming languages (artificial languages). This historic background has led to the geographical concentration of relevant technological information, which in turn has given a competitive advantage in computer technology to companies and research organizations located in the United States.In addition, the languages used in building various information systems, including C and Java, are constructed based on English grammar and the definitions of English words, though there has been no explicit consensus or set of rules dictating this. This puts obstacles in the way of people in non-English-speaking regions who try to learn these programming languages. Development of a programming language that allows non-English-speaking workers to program using the knowledge of their native language, or Japanese in our case, would be ideal. However, technological advancement has already accumulated to a significant degree in the existing programs, indicating that developing such a language may not be realistic because it would present difficulties in establishing compatibility with them.However, if a programming language is developed in Japan, even if it is not based on the Japanese language, and becomes an international standard, we can expect it to give Japan an advantage in programming technologies. You may ask if such a language really exists. Fortunately, it does, and it is the Ruby programming language developed by the Japanese. Ruby is proliferating as a system-building language for the Web. After it was accepted as a Japanese Industrial Standard in 2011, the Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA) led the drive to make it a global standard. In 2012, it was accepted as an international standard by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).[1], [2] In December 2013, the completion of a series of work on the standardization of Ruby was announced.[3] In academia, too, Ruby is being taught as part of liberal arts-level information education at Japanese universities, indicating its further penetration into society (Note 2).Standardized programming languagesSource: JIS HANDBOOK YEARBOOK 2012 As a fundamental-level technology, a programming language is likely to have a significantly positive effect on the promotion of industries, because once a system using that language is introduced, the language will be used for several years, and the need for maintenance and updates will generate demand for human resources. When standardizing an advanced technology, it is necessary, in building a business model, to consider the right balance between the areas of the technology disclosed for standardization purposes and those not subject to standardization and to remain secret. However, in the case of a programming language, such consideration is not necessary in disclosing the language specifications. In addition, a language originating in Japan is expected to reflect the needs of the Japanese industry when it is updated to keep pace with technological advancement. ConclusionIn this column, I described how a fruit of Japanese development efforts in what might be an unlikely area of cutting-edge technology has become a global standard under Japan's initiative. I selected this example to illustrate the importance of discovering a value existing in Japan and making it a global standard. Technologies originated in Japan and that have a technological advantage such as Ruby may be found if we look around. Ruby is playing an important role in promoting Japanese industry and academia. I hope more discoveries will be made in terms of Japan's socio-cultural values and the values inherent in Japan's technologies, and that they will be re-evaluated this year, just like what happened last year, to help revitalize our society and economy.January 10, 2014>> Original text in Japanese Footnote(s) ^ Japanese National Railways, the predecessor of the present-day JR companies, initiated in the 1970s a promotional campaign called "Discover Japan," which was intended to encourage the rediscovering of the value of Japan's tourist spots.^ The University of Tokyo, Waseda University, and others. Reference(s) "The Ruby Programming Language Accepted as International Standard, Becoming the First Japanese-made Programming Language Recognized under the ISO/IEC-series, [Program Gengo Ruby, Kokusai Kikaku toshite Shonin: Nihonhatsu no Program Gengo toshite Hatsuno ISO/IEC Kikakuni]" (in Japanese) Information-technology Promotion Agency, April 2012"JIS Specifications Revised for Programming Language Ruby: Aiming at the Contribution to Enhancement of Fundamental Technology in Info-tech Industry and Strengthening International Competitiveness, [Program Gengo Ruby no JIS wo Kaisei: Joho Sangyo no Kibangijutsuseibi heno Koken oyobi Kokusai Kyosoryoku no Kyoka wo Mezashite]" (in Japanese) Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, December 2013"JIS X 3017 'Programming Language Ruby' Has Been Revised, [JIS X 2017 'Program Gengo Ruby' ga Kaisei Saremashita]" (in Japanese) Information-technology Promotion Agency, December 2013 Tweet January 22, 2014 Print Article(s) by this author Management Issues Related to Standardization Activities in a Digital Society: Results of the Survey on Standardization Activities (2021) March 26, 2024［Column］ Trends and Issues in Standardization Activities: Results of the Survey on Standardization Activities (2020) September 1, 2023［Column］ Are Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computers General Purpose Technology? Advanced Technologies Creating a New Era and Their Economic Significance (Results of the Survey on Standardization Activities 2020) August 25, 2023［Column］ Impact of Standardization on Management Strategy: A new perspective on administrative strategy theory May 12, 2022［Priorities for the Japanese Economy in 2022 (January 2022)］ Governance Issues Related to R&D Information Disclosure in Standards Development Bodies: An overview of the results of the survey on standardization activities (2019) May 12, 2022［Column］ Articles Column Special Series Priorities for the Japanese Economy in 2024 (January 2024) Priorities for the Japanese Economy in 2023 (January 2023) Priorities for the Japanese Economy in 2022 (January 2022) Priorities for the Japanese Economy in 2021 (January 2021) Priorities for the Japanese Economy in 2020 (January 2020) Priorities for the Japanese Economy in 2019 (January 2019) Priorities for the Japanese Economy in 2018 (January 2018) Priorities for the Japanese Economy in 2017 (January 2017) Priorities for the Japanese Economy in 2016 (January 2016) Fellows' Views on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Priorities for the Japanese Economy in 2015 (January 2015) Priorities for the Japanese Economy in 2014 (December 2013) Issues Facing the Japanese Economy in 2013 (January 2013) Issues Facing the Japanese Economy in 2012 (January 2012) Issues Facing the Japanese Economy in 2009 (January 2009) Issues Facing the Japanese Economy in 2008 (January 2008) Issues Facing the Japanese Economy in 2007 (January 2007) RIETI Fellows' View on Incident at Japanese Consulate-General in Shenyang (June 2002) Newspapers & Magazines Fellows' Works VoxEU Column From IZA Perspectives from Around the World Other Contents RIETI Report Policy Update Keizai Sangyo Journal Communications Newsletter RSS Feed Facebook X YouTube Research Areas Research Programs (FY2024-2028) Research Programs (FY2020-2023) Research Programs (FY2016-2019) Research Programs (FY2011-2015) Policy Research Domains (FY2006-2010) Projects Survey Fellows Research/Policy Papers Discussion Papers (English) Discussion Papers (Japanese) Policy Discussion Papers (English) Policy Discussion Papers (Japanese) Technical Papers (English) Technical Papers (Japanese) Non Technical Summaries List of Articles in Journals Research Digest Discussion Papers Search Publications RIETI Books (English) RIETI Books (Japanese) History of Japan's Trade and Industry Policy Authors' Words Other Publications (English) Other Publications (Japanese) Events Symposiums Workshops BBL Seminars Archived Seminar Series Data JIP Database R-JIP Database CIP Database Industry-Specific Nominal and Real Effective Exchange Rates AMU and AMU Deviation Indicators JSTAR RIETI-TID RIETI FDI Database ICPA Project Links Articles Column Special Series Newspapers & Magazines Fellows' Works VoxEU Column From IZA Perspectives from Around the World Other Contents RIETI Report Policy Update Keizai Sangyo Journal (METI Journal) About RIETI Privacy Policy Site Policy Site Map Help Contact METI Web Site Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry, IAA (JCN 6010005005426)JCN: Japan Corporate Number Opinions expressed or implied on this website are solely those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).Titles, numbers, specific names, etc. on this website are as of the date of publication. 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