Technological prowess is a clear way forward for a country seen to have lost its economic mojo since the heady bubble days of the 1980s - worsened by a dire ageing demographic crisis and afflicted in some sectors by the "Galapagos syndrome" of insularism.

In this vein, Japan's announcement earlier this month of an Integrated Innovation Strategy game plan, as an upgrade to its smart nation Society 5.0 blueprint, is an unmistakable statement of intent.