JEDDAH, 24 December 2002 — Local business leaders and their representatives had a peep into Japan’s much acknowledged Kaizen system of management that spells improvement, efficiency and high productivity, at a seminar hosted by the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday.
Dr. Seiichi Fujita, who presented the seminar, held simultaneously with a catalogue exhibition of Japanese companies, said the Kaizen management system was guided by five S’s — seiri (organization), seiton (neatness), seiso (cleanliness), seiketsu (standardization) and shitsuke (self-discipline).
“The system has been widely accepted and practiced in Europe, America and Southeast Asia. It’s now finding acceptance in countries like China, Malaysia and Iran,” he told Arab News.
“A number of Japanese companies are doing good business after they began practicing Kaizen system,” he claimed.
“The system is simple in its concept and easy to use. That’s why a majority of Japanese industries have adopted it,” he said, adding that the system was conceived 300 years ago.
“All that was done was to place a box in a public place inviting suggestions for overall improvement,” Fujita said recounting its beginning. “The system has tremendous potential in this part of the world as its investment in R&D is minimal. People tend to be more creative with this system,” he added.
The day-long display of 120 catalogues of Japanese companies focused on the country’s products and services. The catalogues covered a wide range of manufacturing areas including textiles, agricultural and forestry machinery.
Yoshitaka Nakamura, Riyadh-based director general of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) that organized the event, said a 60-member delegation from the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce & Industry would participate in a Saudi-Japanese Council joint meeting to be held in Tokyo for two days from Jan. 15. Council Chairman Abdul Rahman Al-Jeraisy will lead the delegation. The council’s last meeting was held in Riyadh in June. — K.S. Ramkumar
