Aichi Prefecture; Japan's manufacturing hub
 Aichi
Prefecture, host of The Aichi Expo 2005 and the 10th signatory meeting
of the UN convention on biological diversity (COP10), is situated in
the centre of Japan, and is a region easily accessed from Tokyo, Osaka
and Kyoto. Using the bullet train takes 1 hour 35 minutes from
Tokyo and you can get to Kyoto in 40 minutes. With a population
of around 7.4 million it makes up one of the three great metropolitan
regions of Japan along with Tokyo and Osaka.
Aichi Prefecture, long a centre for “monozukuri” (a Japanese
manufacturing philosophy), has been the number one national producer of
manufactured goods for 32 years continuously. Toyota is a famous
representative of the motor manufacturing industry, but in recent years
aerospace technology, machine tools and the railway industry has been a
focus, with the region becoming one of the major production areas of
the global economy. Also, the presence of textiles and porcelain
as well as other traditional manufacturing industries, commerce,
agriculture as well as fisheries means there is a well balanced
industrial structure.
 With
traditional craftsmanship to advanced manufacturing Aichi Prefecture
has a concentration of industry representative of Japan and there are
many institutions where it is possible to experience cutting edge
technology through site visits to manufacturing facilities of
businesses, and business tourism is a growing initiative in the
area. Visitors can learn about the evolution of the automobile at
the Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, and next
generation technology such as robotics at the Toyota Kaikan Exhibition
Hall. There is also the opportunity to observe the production
process of porcelain and ceremics, as well as have an opportunity to
try decorating ceramics at the Noritake-no-Mori works and other top
global brands in manufacturing.
The
area is also famous in Japan for being the homeland of Shoguns Oda
Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu, and historical
heritage related travel is popular. As well as history, the
region is also a heaven for shopping, cuisine, and healing hot spring
spas for weary travellers.
 The
Great East Japan Japan earthquake and the effects of the nuclear power
plant accident has undoubtedly been a concern, but Aichi Prefecture is
about 450 km away from Fukushima Prefecture and travelling in the
region is safe and worry free. Chubu International Airport has
easy access from overseas, so please come to Aichi Prefecture with its
varied treasures.
Photos
・Top; Toyota Motor Assembly Plant
・Middle; MRJ,Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation
・Bottom; Katchyutai |
