CAD systems for VLSI in Japan

With the advent of the VLSI era, computer-aided design (CAD) is increasing its importance, and much effort is now being expended on CAD by many IC manufacturers and laboratories in Japan. This paper reviews the historical aspect of the CAD systems developed in this field, and describes the current status of VLSI CAD systems and technologies, from device to system levels, in Japan. The CAD development activities for IC's were initiated in the late 1960's. At present, VLSI CAD systems and related CAD technologies in Japan seem to be in the adolescent stage-partly capable of practical use and partly still in the immature state.