2018 National KAIZEN Conference
2018/2/26
2018 National KAIZEN Conference took place at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka on the 15th and 16th of February 2018. Mr. Hidenobu Sobashima, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Zambia, attended the opening ceremony. The Conference was hosted by KAIZEN Institute of Zambia (KiZ) in cooperation with JICA under the theme “Transforming Zambia through Continuous Improvement towards International Competitiveness”. At the Conference, 13 companies and organizations made their presentations on Kaizen activities.
In his speech at the opening ceremony, Ambassador Sobashima referred to the history of the Japanese economic development, the Zambian economy, and situation of KAIZEN activities in Zambia, including that the hard work of Japanese people contributed to the economic development of Japan. He also mentioned that in order for Zambia to become a prosperous middle income country, it is important to benefit not only the individuals participating in KAIZEN activities but their organizations as a whole to strengthen competitiveness. He encouraged all companies and organizations participating in KAIZEN activities to make their best efforts and try to influence the neighbors of their reach to do so as well, so that the KAIZEN movement would spread widely in Zambia.
The Participants presented how the Kaizen methods in field analysis and efficiency improvement such as reduction of work time and increased rate of detection of defects. There were questions and comments, especially on data collection methods, among the participants who were eager to learn from other participants.
The Japanese Government, through JICA, is supporting Kaizen activities in order to strengthen the competitiveness of industries in Zambia. Through the “National KAIZEN Project Phase II”, Japan has supported the enhancement of KiZ’s management and KAIZEN Consultant development system, provision of KAIZEN consulting services, and dissemination of KAIZEN activities nationwide.
To read the speech made by Ambassador Sobashima at this ceremony, please click here.
