How Can We Make the Most of Japanese Culture for Engineering

Abstract

This paper points out that Japanese culture has many interesting ideas which can be utilized for the development of the next generation engineering. As changes occur frequently and extensively and in an unpredictable manner, the traditional engineering approach of system identification is no longer applicable. We need a new approach to adapt to these changes. To cope with such situations, we need more heads and machines are also teamed to work. Thus, team working becomes important. But as the case of soccer demonstrates, to cope with the rapidly changing situation, we need communication. In the case of soccer, midfielders who understands most how the play is changing is now becoming playing-manager and he instructs other members how to form the next formation. But unless other players understands what is on his mind and prepare in advance, the new formation cannot be formed in time and fails. Japanese culture does not discriminate inside and outside. Shoji penetrates outside situations so we understand the weather, temperature, wind, etc. of the outside world, although we are in the room. Thus, Shoji is a holistic sensor. And besides, the production system of the Japanese paper for Shoji is basically the same as Cellulose Nanofiber, the next generation CNF. And Japanese introduced modularization in Kimono long time ago. So, Japanese are very adept in modularization. Further, Japanese are very good at promoting process value. Tea Ceremony, Flower Arrangement, are called Sa-Do, Ka-Do and these words with the suffix -Do is selling process values. Thus, we should look at Japanese culture from the new perspective of how we can make the most of it for the development of the next generation engineering.