Japan International Cooperation Agency
Share
  • 日本語
  • English
  • Français
  • Espanol
  • Home
  • About JICA
  • News & Features
  • Countries & Regions
  • Our Work
  • Publications
  • Investor Relations

Project News

2019-10-29

Kaizen Attracts Ethiopian Parliament Members during Special Lecture Program

On October 29, a special lecture on Kaizen was organized for the standing committee members of the House of People's Representatives (HoPR) of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE). The lecture, entitled "Contribution of Kaizen to National Development", was delivered by Professor Hiroshi Osada, Professor Emeritus at Tokyo Institute of Technology.

This lecture had been awaited for a long time. It was realized during Ethiopian Kaizen Month (September-October) at the enthusiastic request of the Ethiopian Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Ethiopian Kaizen Institute (EKI) to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The special lecture was officially opened by H.E. Mr. Tagesse Chaffo, Speaker of the HoPR. He first extended his appreciation to the Government of Japan and JICA for realizing this important occasion for the Parliament as well as the continuous support to Ethiopia on the dissemination of Kaizen, including the construction of the Center of Excellence building on Human Resource Development. He also confirmed that executives at government organizations would be encouraged to apply Kaizen in their work places in order to improve their service delivery.

Professor Osada's talk consisted of the following topics: (1) The contribution of Kaizen to Japanese economic growth, (2) Kaizen principles, (3) Kaizen development, (4) Key to Toyota's success. In the Q&A session, many questions were forwarded by the participants. One of them was "How can Kaizen help Ethiopia?" Professor Osada answered, "Kaizen is needed right now in Ethiopia companies for quality improvement, which will lead to the export of products. Ethiopian companies have great potential for this."

The lecture was originally planned for about 30 members of the Parliament Standing Committee. However, other Parliament members as well as its technical staff, totaling 120 people, attended the lecture.

This year is the 10th anniversary since Kaizen launched in Ethiopia. Kaizen is being implemented in various sectors, including manufacturing companies, private enterprises, public offices, schools and hospitals. The term "Kaizen" is becoming a familiar term to Ethiopians, indicating that the Kaizen philosophy is becoming a way of thinking and Kaizen technology is becoming a way of action.

Therefore, if we can consider the last 10 years as a time of cultivating and planting the seeds of Kaizen, the coming decade shall be a time of fertilizing and harvesting the fruits of Kaizen. Thus, it is expected that everyone in Ethiopia shall integrate Kaizen into their daily activities and enjoy the outcomes by the end of 2030.

Photo(From left to right)
Mr. Tesfaye Atire (Bureau Head, CSC), H.E. Dr. Misrak Mekonnen (Head of the Secretariat, FDRE Parliament), Mr. Kimiaki Jin (JICA Research Institute), Prof. Osada, H.E. Mr. Tagesse Chaffo, H.E. Mr. Birhanu Feyisa (Deputy Civil Service Commissioner), Mr. Gebremeskel Challa (Deputy Director General, EKI), Mrs. Emeye Bitew (Chairperson of Human Resource and Technology Standing Committee), Mr. Mekonnen Yaie (Director General, EKI).

PhotoHoPR attendees attentively listening to Prof. Osada's lecture


PhotoOpening remarks from H.E. Mr. Tagesse Chaffo, Speaker of the House of People's Representatives

PAGE TOP

Copyright © Japan International Cooperation Agency