10 March 2016 12:00 am Views - 1275
The Special Assignments Minister Sarath Amunugama addressing the International Research Conference organized by the Japanese’ Graduates Alumni Association of Sri Lanka noted that Sri Lanka could benefit hugely, in each aspect by following the Japanese systems.
The minister stated that, Japan has always been a role model to Sri Lanka as it was the first Asian country to industrialize and emerge as a world power.
When scrutinizing the development history of Japan, it is evident that education was the key to it. The most prominent feature in Tokugawa or Edo periods is the absolute commitment and expansion of democracy which led to the growth of education. While many South Asian countries adopted the humanities based British education system as a result of British colonization, Japan was fortunate enough to identify herself with the more practical and results oriented, three tier education model of United States which led to its industrialization.
The minister points out that, unlike in Japan, the education system of Sri Lanka is still not science-oriented or technology-oriented and doesn’t offer enough thrust for industrial and economic growth.
The role of small and medium scale entrepreneurs in Japanese industrialization is another aspect of Japanese experience that we can learn from. After the world war many small entrepreneurs and middle level entrepreneurs, through their experience and use of technology have been able to reach the highest levels of industry. For instance, big names such as Honda, Kawasaki or Itoh, all have started small and global leaders in that type of technology today.
Zaibutsu system, where small entrepreneurs are picked up and helped along by large entrepreneurs is a sound procedure we can deduce from Japan. For instance, companies such as Hitachi or Mitsubishi function as sponsors, a support organization for lot of small and medium level companies.
Further, the minister says that the Japanese model of industrial management differs from the western model. The American shop level which hard workers are let down was overturned by the Japanese. They incentivize and value hard workers.
Thus the minister questions, “why don’t we try the Japanese system in our big cooperate, particularly the public corporations?” pointing out the productivity of Ceylon Dockyard which has Japanese investment.