A number of recent studies have concentrated on discussing explanations of the Japanese economic and technological performance in the last two decades. This has resulted in the identification of various important features of the Japanese System of Innovation - JSI. However, even if most studies mention the issue, few of them focus on the JSI from the point of view of the establishment and operation of information systems. This paper has three interrelated objectives. Firstly, to point out the importance of the information systems for the success of the Japanese innovation model. Secondly, to discuss the features of those systems and, finally, to analyse the main lessons which can be drawn from the Japanese experience.