Scientific specialisms
Table of Contents
Chemistry and the physical sciences together contribute more than three-quarters of Japan’s overall Share in the Nature Index. The concentration in chemistry is higher in both China and South Korea, however. Life sciences, meanwhile, contribute 23.9% towards Japan’s overall Share, a relatively high level compared with Japan’s near-neighbours.
![How Japan’s disciplinary strengths are shifting focus 2 Bar charts showing the contribution of chemistry, physical, life and Earth & environmental sciences to Japan's overall Share](https://media.nature.com/lw767/magazine-assets/d41586-023-00667-0/d41586-023-00667-0_24099342.png)
Source: Nature Index. Data analysis by Bo Wu. Infographic by Simon Baker and Tanner Maxwell.
Field trends
Among individual fields of research, inorganic and organic chemistry contribute the most towards Japan’s overall Share in the Nature Index (top chart). However, their influence has been falling since 2015, tracking a similar trend for their contribution to research globally in the index (bottom chart).
![How Japan’s disciplinary strengths are shifting focus 3 Line graphs showing how various research fields contribute to Japan's Share compared with globally](https://media.nature.com/lw767/magazine-assets/d41586-023-00667-0/d41586-023-00667-0_24099344.png)
Source: Nature Index. Data analysis by Bo Wu. Infographic by Simon Baker and Tanner Maxwell.
This article is part of Nature Index 2023 Japan, an editorially independent supplement. Advertisers have no influence over the content.