Second JICA Chair Seminar Held in Ethiopia

Under the subject "Japan's Postwar Economic Development", the second JICA Chair lecture series was held by Addis Ababa University (AAU) and JICA on April 19, 2022, at Ras Mekonnen Hall, AAU.

Dr. Kenichi Ohno, renowned professor at Japan's National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), presented on the process of Japan's postwar recovery from World War II, and how the policies implemented contributed to a high growth period in Japan from 1946 to 1970. Discussions were held on how the lessons extracted from the Japanese experience can be modified and used in Ethiopia, as the country recovers from a period of conflict.

A contributing factor to Japan's development is KAIZEN; the philosophy of continuous improvement. Ethiopia began introducing KAIZEN to the manufacturing sector in 2009, under the leadership of Mr. Getahun Tadesse who served as the first Director General of the Ethiopian Kaizen Institute (EKI). Mr. Getahun, who is now working to expand the KAIZEN philosophy throughout Africa, at his current position as a principal KAIZEN consultant at AUDA-NEPAD, shared practical examples on the relevance and benefit of KAIZEN in Ethiopia, and Africa.

Food for thought from Dr Ohno: It is up to each individual country to learn from the experience of other countries and then modify the gathered information to fit their own context. There is no one-size fits all when it comes to policy.

Addis Ababa University and JICA will continue to hold the JICA Chair lecture series in different fields of study.