Abstract
Japan needs to maintain the international competitiveness of its industries and further develop the economy by overcoming resources, environmental and demographic constraints. Simultaneously achieving environmental conservation and economic growth is a policy goal of the Third Science and Technology Basic Plan. In particular, the plan's promotional strategy for the "MONODZUKURI Technology" field cites "human-centered manufacturing practices" as a basic policy, and declares Japan's determination to maximize the added value created through a value chain as a policy challenge. The center of a value chain is the production system, which should be aimed at benefiting both humans/environment and economy. Here is a summary of what this article proposes as particularly notable directions of future R & D on human- and environment-conscious Manufacturing System in Japan.
