Fusion of IT and MT as Japanese strategies in small and medium size manufacturing industry

It has become more difficult for the small and medium size manufacturing industry in Japan to maintain and build up the skills of its workers, which are essential for competitiveness. Research toward a fusion of information technology(IT) and manufacturing technology(MT) has begun in Japan, with the idea that this will be the key to greater competitiveness. This involves research to put personal skills on an objective basis and to use information technology to replace some skills with reproducible digital technology, along with the development of design and manufacturing work applications and the design of information platforms that can make them more efficient.