The award ceremony for the Robot Award 2006 (presented by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry)

The Manufacturing Industries Bureau oversees the manufacturing industries that underpin the socioeconomic activities of Japan and the world. Manufacturing industries range from smokestack industries to enterprises manufacturing high-value-added products, to traditional arts and crafts created with expert skill.

Manufacturing is the main driving force of Japan's economic growth, as it accounts for approximately 20% of GDP, and approximately 90% of R&D investment of all private companies. In the meantime, the sector is facing major structural changes such as the development of the international specialization brought on by globalization, increases in both environmental and resource constraints, and the rapid progress of declining birth rates and an aging population. Against such a backdrop, the Manufacturing Industries Bureau will continue to design the economic and industrial policies needed from a manufacturing industry standpoint as we move into the 21st century.

The harmonization of manufacturing activities with the environment is a central challenge of the 21st century. Considering the impact the manufacturing industry has in the creation of a zero-waste society, for example, through research and development in energy development and environmental technologies, the Manufacturing Industries Bureau has a critical role to play in the environmental area as well. The Bureau will continue to promote the use of fuel-efficient, low-emission, environmentally-friendly compact automobiles, promote R&D on environmentally compatible small aircraft, and strengthen Japan's Freon collection and disposal systems with the goal of protecting the ozone layer and combating global warming. Regarding chemical substances necessary for our daily lives, we will continue to improve legislation that encourages companies to voluntarily control their use of substances, while upgrading our scientific knowledge needed for risk assessment-based controls, thereby ensuring safe, worry-free use.

Aerospace represents a high-value-added industry that integrates cutting-edge technology, advanced materials and parts into systems and is expected to develop into a leading sector of Japanese manufacturing. The Manufacturing Industries Bureau will prove the world-class technological capabilities of Japanese airplane makers and will promote R&D for a light plane that is environmentally friendly and that can provide low-cost services.

In the space industry, the rapid growth of mobile phones, satellite broadcasting and other industries using satellites is creating demand for more user-friendly satellites with better performance. The Bureau is therefore pursuing projects like SERVIS, which will use non-military parts to boost satellite performance while reducing costs.

SST project (Supersonic Transport) Environmentally friendly, high-performance light aircraft (image)

Promotion of the SERVIS (Space Environment Reliability Verification Integrated System) project

Dramatic advances in genetic engineering are expected to spur the biotechnology-related market to grow to be worth some 25 trillion yen by around 2010. Analysis of human DNA and the genetic information of microorganisms can be put to use in the manufacture of exciting new pharmaceuticals as well as many other products and raw materials. The Bureau will work toward the industrialization of biotechnology.

Nanotechnology has the potential to prompt a 21st century industrial revolution and the market for the nanotechnology and related industries is projected to amount to 26 trillion yen in 2030. More affluent lifestyles will be realized through shifts in the industrial technology paradigm made by facilitating the practical use of nanotechnology. These include next-generation flat screen displays, fuel cells using carbon nanotubes, and the development of diamond-based semiconductors.

Japan is a "major robot nation" in terms of both technology and market. Robots and robot technology contribute to productivity increases in Japanese manufacturing, and are now being adopted in new fields, including cleaning, nursing, and welfare. Furthermore, robot technology is beginning to be used in areas close to us, such as automobiles and intelligent home appliances. The Bureau promotes preparation of market environments, the ensuring of safety, and technical development that projects possible applications. It aims for a more prosperous society through the development of robots.

To pass on and further develop the “manufacturing methods” that have supported our industries and culture and have contributed greatly to the formation of our prosperous national life, it is important to secure and foster human resources that will shore up “manufacturing methods on the manufacturing floor” and the traditional techniques of the “masters.”

For that purpose, the Prime Minister will present the second Monodzukuri Nippon Grand Award to people who play a central role in skilled manufacturing.

We aim to realize a society where young people and children, who will lead the next generation, will feel motivated to take a keen interest in “manufacturing” as their future profession.

The Manufacturing Industries Bureau addresses policies relating to not only high-tech industries such as bio or nanotechnology, robots and the aerospace industry, but also to lifestyle product industries, such as textiles, bags, jewelry, and traditional crafts.

The government and the private sector joined to hold "Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo" as an initiative to bolster the ability of Japan's fashion sector to set global fashion trends. The Bureau will ensure the global spread of Japanese styles of manufacturing through the active support of manufacturing activities that add value to technology through aesthetics (aesthetic value). It aims to transmit Japan's manufacturing techniques to the world.

Prime Minister's Award, Japan Prize for Creativity

The Japan Fashion Week in Tokyo (photo courtesy of the Fashion Strategy Forum)

Counterfeit/pirated products, including counterfeit brand products, are being manufactured and/or distributed for sale in the Asian region in particular, most notably in China, and are causing serious damage to Japanese businesses. The Bureau will continue to pursue campaigns to stop the spread of counterfeited/pirated products and to realize International Legal Framework on Preventing Proliferation of Counterfeits and Pirated Goods.