Kaizen study tour for Kazakhstan companies

The Kazakhstan-Japan Center (KJC) as with the Kyrgyz and Uzbekistan Japan Centers have been used for JICA projects for many years.

Many of the participants and lecturers selected for the KJC Business Course had previously participated in training courses in Japan. A majority of the PREX Global Network members (hereafter, PGN members: fellow course members) were KJC’s course participants. The KJC manager and business course officials were included in the group.

With Kazakhstan approaching the termination of its status as a country receiving ODA, the Japan Center (KJC) is at a level where it is now becoming ‘independent’ in respect to its management. On the other hand, there were many company officials who expressed their desire to learn from Japan’s example. With this background, this course was the result of cooperation between PREX and PGN members (fellow course members) of KJC. After repeated consultation from Autumn 2022 with Erika of the KJC, it was decided that PREX would take on the training course and hold it for 2 days (May 12, 13).

At KJC, over several years, many Japanese specialists have given instruction in programs on Kaizen, and now there are many Kaizen consultants and education centers in the country. With this history and background, the theme for this training course was Kaizen.

Within the 1-week stay in Japan, after receiving lectures in the course in Tokyo and Nagoya, the group moved to Osaka. In Osaka the group visited 2 companies; Daikin Sunrise Settsu Co. Ltd. and Kansai Crown Co. Ltd and prepared for a weekend inspection visit to Kyoto. The two companies warmly welcomed the group, each company explaining in detail their individual 3S activities which are the core of Kaizen activities. Taking each company’s distinctive features into consideration, the group were also able to listen to detailed explanations and observe the on-site activities. Each company also answered the many questions asked by group members.

Everyone at the Kansai Crown Co. Ltd.

Observation of the 3S activities at Kansai Crown Co. Ltd. begins with ‘rei’ (commencing standing bow)

At Daikin Sunrise Settsu Co. Ltd. Participants eager to see many Kaizen ideas on site

We will be delighted if such programs continue to be conducted so that each countries’ Japan Center will be core activity centers and that through cooperation of PGN members, they will be able to respond to the needs of local enterprises that will learn from their experiences in Japan and have exchange with Japanese enterprises.