BRIEFING BY JAPANESE UNION OF SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS Substance of Meeting: The briefing was sponsored by Florida Power and Light. In introductory remarks, John Hudiburg described the extent and involvement of Florida Power and Light's program for quality improvement and control. Of the 13,000 employees of FPL, 8000 are involved in quality teams. The company's program is approximately three years old and very popular among the employees because it provides an opportunity for every employee to be heard and have influence. Mr. Hudiburg introduced Dr. Kaoru Ishikawa who gave a history of the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers and an introduction to the concept of total quality control. The Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) was established in 1946, in the turbulent environment that succeeded World War II when Japan's industry was almost completely destroyed. The organization was established "to contribute to human prosperity by creating, applying, and promoting advanced science and technology." The JUSE is a non-profit organization with neither governmental financial support nor control. Its major activities include research and development, education and training, publication of materials related to science and technology, and the conduct of annual technical conferences. As the title of the organization suggests, a close cooperation and working relationship between scientists and engineers was emphasized. One of the organization's earliest developments was the formulation of a Quality Control Research Group in 1949. Since then JUSE has been at the very core of quality control activities in Japan. The JUSE offers courses and seminars on quality control and improvement for companies and countries around the globe. To date people from 55 nations have come to JUSE for these courses. The Republic of Korea, and France are particularly enthusiastic about the quality control concept. Dr. Ishikawa emphasized that the Japanese system of quality control could not be transferred to or incorporated into another country. Each nation must have a system tailored to its own characteristics and needs. He pointed out that it was important to view "quality" from a national perspective, rather than an individual company perspective. However, no matter what the system, the two pillars of quality control are education and training. And the education and training must begin in the planning and designing stages of a product, and continue through the entire process and production stages. Dr. Ishikawa estimated that in a company of 100 employees quality control education and training will take approximately one year. With very large companies, the process could take as long as five years. BRIEFING AND TOUR AT OYAMA PLANT OF KOMATSU LTD. Date of Visit: January 9, 1986 Location: Oyama Plant, Komatsu Ltd., Oyama, Japan Background: Komatsu Ltd. was formed 64 years ago. It has evolved into a "total manufacturer" -- from basic steel casing to sophisticated machine production. Today Komatsu is one of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial and construction machinery, producing more than 200 types of products, including bulldozers and presses. It has 17,000 employees and over $2 billion in annual sales. Komatsu will open its first manufacturing plant in the U.S. in Chatanooga, Tennessee during 1986. Officials Present: Mr. Takehiko Takamatsu, Director and Plant Manager Mr. Kazuhiko Sasaki, Manager, General Affairs Mr. Toshiro Kobayashi, Manager, U.S. Plant Project Substance of Meeting: During the briefing session, the delegation was given an orientation to the Oyama plant which was established 22 years ago. The plant manufactures all of Komatsu's engines, which are then distributed to five other plants for installation into various products, including heavy construction vehicles, marine vehicles, and generator and compressor units. In addition, 25% of all engines manufactured are sold outside of Komatsu. The Oyama plant has 1700 employees and produces 45,000 units per year. The Oyama plant is driven by Komatsu's overall goal of supplying highly reliable products for the construction industry, world-wide. Komatsu has won several major awards for its quality control. During the tour of the plant various quality control procedures were described. One of the noteable features to be shown was the flexible manufacturing assembly line, which allows for quick, computer-controlled change overs in production tooling. The plant is heavily automated and production capacity on the large engine line is one diesel engine every 6.8 minutes or 70 engines per day. The engine R&D laboratory is also situated at the Oyama plant complex. Here Komatsu engineers develop high performance engines that incorporate the latest technological innovations. The delegation was briefed on development of an "adiabatic" diesel engine that utilizes ceramic-lined cylinders and zirconia-plated pistons. Also under development are computer controlled fuel injection and automatic transmission systems. The delegation also toured the grounds of the plant's employee housing, and recreational areas and visited the cultural center. MEETING WITH MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY Date: January 9, 1986 Location: Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), Tokyo, Background: Officials Present: The MITI Ministry is the locus within the government of Japan of policies for the development of technology by the industries of Japan and for policies having to do with Japan's international trade affairs. Honorable Don Fuqua The Honorable Michio Watanabe The delegation called on the MITI Minister, the Honorable Michio Watanabe. The Minister noted that the visit was arranged by Congressman Komiyama who is widely recognized as an expert on science and technology and that he himself and Mr. Komiyama had both come into the Diet together 22 years ago. The Minister expressed his thanks to Congressman Mineta for arranging a call on the White House when he was last in Washington. He noted that he has previously served as Minister of Finance and Minister of Agriculture, and in connection with the latter he recalled being caught between the pressures from California and Florida in the matter of citrus imports to Japan. Science and Technology cooperation between Japan and the United States has worked well with one notable exception, the Minister noted. The exception occurred during the Carter Administration when, in his view, the U.S. discontinuation of the Joint U.S.-Germany-Japan coal liquefaction project was done too abruptly by the U.S. As Minister of Finance, Mr. Watanabe had provided the funds for the Japanese participation in that project. Chairman Fuqua observed, however, that the U.S. decision to discontinue the project was made strictly on the grounds of the economics of the technology, and that, as a result, all participants have saved a lot of money. On the matter of trade between the two countries, the Minister observed that this is a headache for him too. The U.S. side must appreciate that Japan is not a tyranny, and that the government, including he himself, cannot do freely as it wished. Japan has begun a drastic market opening policy. This includes tarrif changes on 1,800 items. Most of these tariff changes were to be made in April 1986, and this has now been moved up to January, and in some cases involves complete elimination. The Minister noted that, as a result, Japan has the lowest tariffs in the world. Japan is also deregulating import procedures. On top of this, the G-5 agreement for coordinated intervention in currency It is usual in most countries to have a "buy domestic" policy. In Japan there is now an active policy of urging people to "buy foreign". At MITI, the Minister noted, Japanese trading companies are being encouraged to Import foreign products. The best idea, the Minister emphasized, would be to allow Japan to buy Alaskan crude oil. MEETING WITH MINISTER OF EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND CULTURE Date: January 9, 1986 Location: Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Tokyo, Japan The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has Officials Present: Honorable Don Fuqua Honorable Toshiki Kaifu, In the national universities, the research done is mostly basic, and all funds for research come from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture. In the private universities, 20 percent of the research funds are provided by the Ministry. Half of the costs of primary education comes from the Ministry of ocal Local governments a so provide some support for some of the private universities. With respect to possible Japanese participation MEETING WITH SCIENCE COUNCIL OF JAPAN Date: January 10, 1986 Place: Science and Technology Agency Building, Tokyo, Japan Background: Officials Present: The Science Council of Japan is the highest policy organ In the Government of Japan for matters of science and technology policy. The Council is chaired by the Prime Minister, and has had an important role in initiating the recent emphasis in Japan on the support of basic research. Honorable Don Fuqua Dr. Okamoto, Council Member Planning Bureau, Science and Mr. Okuma, Office of Planning, Mr. Ishida, Atomic Energy In a brief historical overview, Dr. Okamoto noted that prior to the Meiji perlod Japan had a strong culture which included such pillars as Buddism and the Kabukl theater, but not science. Even today, when Japan imports science and technology, the spiritual and human aspects are taken into account. The Council members are always mindful that Japan has learned much from the U.S., and that in these matters further cooperation with the United States is an Important factor. The Science Council meets in a formal, plenary session once a year, or Scientists serving as The budget of the Japanese government is very tight right now, and very few In all matters the Science Council is aware of the importance of the In response to a question, Chairman Fuqua described the 2-year Science MEETING WITH JAPANESE SCIENCE JOURNALISTS Date: January 10, 1986 Place: Science and Technology Agency Building, Tokyo, Japan Background: Officials Present: Japan news media give strong coverage to news about Honorable Don Fuqua approximately 20 Japanese In an opening statement by the spokesman for the Japanese journalists the following questions were posed on behalf of the group, and these were discussed by the members of the delegation: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The schedule for the Space Station development, and the possibility of delays in the light of U.S. budget problems. U.S.-Soviet plans for cooperation in fusion energy U.S. plans for the development of the laser uranium Plans for international participation in the research work connected with the Strategic Defense Initiative. Reliability questions in the launches of the Space shuttle vehicles in the light of the many launch postponements recently experienced. MEETING WITH INDUSTRY COMMITTEE, AMERICAN ELECTRONICS Background: The American Electronics Association Industry Committee in Japan represents well over 200 American companies who do business in Japan. The AEA Industry Committee invited members of the delegation to meet with them for a discussion of current issues. Officials Present: Honorable Don Fuqua Honorable Norman Mineta Heads of the Japan Offices of: Cray Computers Burroughs Gould Hughes |