Enhancing SMEs Competitiveness through Digital Kaizen Training Program in Japan

Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP) on Digital Kaizen (Quality and Productivity Improvement by Utilizing Digital Technologies in Small and Medium Enterprises)

The Knowledge Co-Creation Program (KCCP) on “Digital Kaizen (Quality and Productivity Improvement by Utilizing Digital Technologies in Small and Medium Enterprises)” was successfully conducted.
From 22 October 2025 to 7 February 2026, JICA welcomed 10 participants from Iran, Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Libya, Mauritius, Rwanda, South Africa and Thailand for an intensive, hands-on experience.

The program consists of three study components. The on-demand (self study) and online phases started from 22 October to 12 December 2025, followed by a face-to-face phase in Japan from 25 January to 6 February 2026.

The course was designed for professionals supporting SMEs to explore practical methods and real-world examples of improving quality and productivity through digital technologies in manufacturing environments, as well as the systems that enable their effective promotion. This training aimed to deepen understanding of both the opportunities and challenges of digital adoption by utilizing bottom-up business improvement approaches rooted in kaizen. Ultimately, the program sought to develop core personnel who will incorporate these technologies into their organizations’ support activities and drive meaningful sustained improvement.

Throughout the program, participants strengthened their ability to apply digital tools in practical support context and gained valuable insights from case studies of digital kaizen in manufacturing sites. They acquired hands-on knowledge of implementations methods and developed a clearer understanding of the key initiatives required to advance smart manufacturing in SMEs.

We hope that participants will effectively translate the knowledge and best practices acquired in Japan into tangible actions in their home countries, thereby contributing to improved competitiveness and productivity of SMEs.