Japan is struggling to hire Ph.Ds. Companies are growing their own.

TOKYO -- Some of Japan's biggest companies are helping employees achieve doctoral degrees, taking matters into their own hands in a country where such talent is becoming harder to find.

Precision equipment maker Shimadzu has a program to hire master's degree holders and encourage them to pursue doctorates. Employees eligible for the program receive a salary while in graduate school, as well as tuition assistance.