OLYMPUS TECHNOZONE Vol.62 2004-12
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Contemplating the future direction of Japanese manufacturing
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In terms of manufacturing, by which I mean actually making things, we currently
have a gradual shifting to China and other countries in Asia. One
of the issues we face now is what to keep in Japan, and what to
be done in Japan. As a skilled technician, how do you view this
trend toward shifting manufacturing and assembly offshore?
Possibly with a sense that things are crumbling from the
foundations. I don't know whether or not this answers your question,
but in my experience, Japanese people even have a distinctive way
of tightening a single screw. I have trained people from overseas,
and quite apart from the language barrier, there is definitely something
different. I can't put my finger on it, but I am confident that
Japanese skills and techniques will persist in one form or another.
Personally, I have no problem with differentiating between that
which we send overseas, and that which we should keep here. At the
moment, we're all trying to work out what those things should be.
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| Takashi Miyazawa, one of the top technicians at the Ina Plant, is training other employees in the microscope assembly room, while an IX Series inverted system microscope is about to receive the finishing touches. |
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May I ask what that gold badge is on Mr. Miyazawa's collar?
That's the Manufacturing Master (MM) badge. Manufacturing Master is the
highest rank in the system that Olympus has for developing staff with highly
advanced skills. The rank immediately below is Manufacturing Supervisor (MS),
and the one below that Manufacturing Advisor (MA). There are three stages.
So you've already reached the top? Can you
advance any further?
True, I have; but frankly, I don't really care
about titles. I suppose that sounds a bit blunt. Personally, I
think I still have a long way to go, and actually need to improve
my skills more. As long as one is truly satisfied with oneself,
that's all that matters.
Having reached one level, you aim for the next
target that is even higher. It's the same as research, really.
Yes, there's no point at which you think that
this is good enough. That is what makes it a lot of fun. |
