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# Traditions Make the Difference Today

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Japan’s longstanding economic success can be attributed to many factors. Among them are a diligent workforce, attention to detail and globally renowned manufacturing standards in leading industries.

However, the driving force and unique selling point of Japanese commerce has always been the ancient business traditions that have kept the nation ahead of most rivals.

Ideas such as monozukuri, meaning to prioritize quality and customer service above all else, and kaizen, which requires the company to constantly improve, have been at the core of all great Japanese corporate success, particularly in B2B markets.

Noriyasu Momiyama, president of precision components manufacturer Ring Co., Ltd, is a firm believer in this. “We have had a strong monozukuri mindset for more than 20 years, regardless of the industry, and we always try to encompass a large variety of industries to demonstrate our ability,” said Momiyama. “These days, monozukuri has evolved from products to also include marketing.”

This also holds true for carpet manufacturing business Yamamoto Corporation, where monozukuri is equally valued. “For OEM companies like ours, it’s quite rare to connect directly with high-profile clients or end users,” said President Yasuhiro Yamamoto. “Typically, these collaborations come through introductions from existing clients or, sometimes, trading companies that are seeking manufacturers with specific capabilities. We are often recommended because of our technology, expertise and commitment to monozukuri.”

Modern companies respect the inheritance of such standards, according to Taro Tominaga, president of logistics firm Fukuoka Soko Co. Ltd. “While Japanese companies are very reliable partners, I believe that monozukuri is a precious asset built by our predecessors. We are witnessing a declining population currently, so we need to take on new challenges and build up new experiences of success,” said Tominaga.

One of the main strengths of the Japanese economy is its evolution from mass production to waves of niche-manufacturing SMEs. “Experts might say that it comes down to the overall transition of Japan’s economic structure. As we witnessed a dynamic transformation of the system, Japan was able to seize that momentum and climb the ladder of global competition,” said Tamayakin Co., Ltd. President Tsuyoshi Yamada. “In Japan, we often say that ‘the customer is god’ when it comes to business. This mindset is deeply embedded in the Japanese business culture,” he added.

As Japan faces challenges at home and abroad, including its aging population and geopolitical shifts such as tariffs, businesses are having to work harder and smarter to compete and thrive. Toshimitsu Yamanoue, president of Fuji Light Metal Co., Ltd., said that working in a wider corporate structure is helping alleviate its manpower concerns in certain fields and regions. “Human resources are lacking now in rural areas, which is a large issue facing the manufacturing industry. In order to make semiconductors, companies need large pools of design engineers,” said Yamanoue. “The Fuji Sash group overall has a large number of such engineers, so we can support some design activities for other firms. Now, with this relationship, we can further strengthen our business,” he added.

Okano Electric Co., Ltd President Hiroaki Okano said, “We believe the biggest difference between us and other SMEs in Southeast Asia is that we are an early starter. However, in recent years, they have also been growing rapidly, becoming a potential threat to Japanese industry. “The strengths of Japanese companies lie in their precision engineering supported by traditional philosophies, attention to detail, and extensive experience,” added Okano.

At Isolite Insulating Products Co., Ltd., the main corporate philosophy and strategies are based around a five-year plan for growth. President Toshihiko Kaneshige said, “We set up a slogan that says ‘Envision 2030’, meaning we plan to double our sales volume and profit. To manufacture finished products globally, we aim to expand our business worldwide, including in countries like Brazil, India, and Indonesia.”

A similar international approach is on the agenda for knives firm Yoshida Metal Industry Co., Ltd., according to President Masahito Watanabe. “Our philosophy is to ‘Bring Happiness and Smiles to Kitchens and Dining Tables All Over the World’. We hope to be able to contribute to people’s happiness. We ourselves try to be polite, positive and happy, and provide the best quality product on the market,” said Watanabe. “Our monozukuri is sharpness, and we try to provide outstanding levels of quality for customers,” he added.

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