In 2024, China's total research and development expenditure surpassed that of the United States for the first time, according to Japan's National Institute of Science and Technology Policy (NISTP). The institute reported that China's R&D spending reached ¥97.1 trillion, reflecting a 13.1 percent increase from the previous year, while the United States spent ¥95.3 trillion, up 6.7 percent year-on-year. This shift ends the United States' decades-long leadership in global R&D funding that had persisted since the 1980s.
Japan maintained its position as the third-largest R&D spender, with expenditures rising to ¥22.1 trillion, an 8.4 percent increase from 2023. The NISTP also noted that Japan's standing in high-impact research remained unchanged, ranking 13th in the share of papers appearing in the top 10 percent of citations within their fields—a position it has held for four consecutive years. In response, Japan's 7th Science, Technology and Innovation Basic Plan, approved by the Cabinet in March 2026, sets a target of reaching third place in this metric within the next decade.
Conversely, China led the ranking for top‑tier research papers, securing first place, followed by the United States in second and the United Kingdom in third. The NISTP representative explained that translating funding increases into research impact takes time, emphasizing that boosting research activity and expanding doctoral training are necessary steps for countries seeking to improve their scholarly influence.