Round Table Discussion on Advanced Manufacturing (Industry 4.0)

The Commission visited Japan to hear and exchange views on advanced manufacturing and its implications and potential for both countries. In Germany, this megatrend has been termed “Industrie 4.0”, and it is also attracting widespread attention in Japan, where a number of leading industrial firms have joined the Industrial Value Chain Initiative. Among the distinguished guests seated at the round table were Dr. Tamotsu Nomakuchi, Executive Corporate Advisor to Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and former President of AIST (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology), and other leading influencers of industrial and social innovation from think tanks and businesses. There was early agreement that developments in robotics and logistics will have a far-reaching impact on society as a whole, not just on manufacturing and industry. Fields such as agriculture, welfare, transportation and urban infrastructure will be significantly affected How industry and society in the two countries perceive and approach these challenges and opportunities was the subject of a lively and free-flowing discussion in a relaxed yet focused atmosphere.

The EFI is a six-member panel of renowned researchers at some of Germany’s leading institutes and universities, under the chairmanship of Professor Dr. Dietmar Harhoff, Director of the Max Planck Institute for Innovation and Competition.