The hidden yet indispensable value of monozukuri

In English, the Japanese word ‘monozukuri’ can be translated as ‘making things’. And it’s fair to say Japan has excelled at making things since the postwar boom that turned the country into one of the world’s industrial powerhouses.

But monozukuri means so much more than its humble English translation. It is indeed the manufacturing philosophy that courses through the veins of Japanese industry, from the largest companies to the smallest. It is a philosophy concerned with high-quality craftsmanship, innovation, the pursuit of perfection, and meeting ever-changing demands – a philosophy on which the ‘Made in Japan’ brand has built its unmatchable global reputation over the past few decades.

“Monozukuri is all about high-quality products built thoroughly and with precision. We strive to adapt to the needs of our clients and their changing environments,” says Toshiki Kawai, president of Tokyo Electron, which develops state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment for semiconductors and flat panel displays (FPDs). “We want to see the changes ahead of us and find engineering solutions before