Rebuilding Japan’s Monozukuri & Kotozukuri and the 4^th Industrial Revolution

Abstract

In November 2018, JDES (Japan Development Engineering Society) held 5^th Symposium on the theme of “Rebuilding Japan’s Monozukuri (Manufacturing) & Kotozukuri (Value Creation) and the 4^th Industrial Revolution”. This theme is in line with what JDES has been consistently developing various opportunities to recognize the significance of “Horizontal Fusion and Co-Creation” for the last four years.

The 4^th Industrial revolution does mean a “Digitalization” of the ART* in a manner which suppliers and consumers are mutually connected and able to cooperatively create new values in products and services. In order to take advantages of the revolution, Japanese industries have to reconfirm the following two prerequisites. Firstly, we have to digest and absorb well the value and measures of the revolution, and to embody them in a fashion which is harmonized with the Japanese value system and culture. Secondly, corporate managers must take the initiatives in promoting and steering the revolution to create new values by collaborating with various partners, instead of sticking to accustomed cost-reduction practices.