In English, the Japanese word ‘monozukuri’ can be translated as ‘making things’. And it’s fair to say Japan has excelled at making things since the postwar boom that turned the country into one of the world’s industrial powerhouses. But monozukuri means so much more than its humble English translation. It is a manufacturing philosophy concerned with high-quality craftsmanship, innovation and meeting ever-changing demands –a philosophy on which the ‘Made in Japan’ brand has built its global reputation over the past few decades.
“The essence of monozukuri lies in the harmony of technology and in the Japanese people, who are very diligent and pay a lot of attention to detail,” explains Chiharu Kishi, chairman of Senba Denki Kazai, a manufacturer and trader of electrical components. “Japanese products are renowned across the globe for their good quality and reliability, and this harmony has allowed Japanese companies to develop and become world leaders with the added value created by advanced technology.”