As a part of the Management and Financial Strategy class, students toured Nishijima Corporation in Toyohashi, Aichi. The company, a manufacturer of machine tools, is unusual in Japan; it has no retirement system. Employees who have the skills and will can work as long as they wish. It was the SDM's second tour to the company, following the last year's tour led by President Seike.
The company trains its employees to acquire many skills by transferring them to various sections throughout their career. After they learn about the overall company, they experience managerial posts early in their career, and are then promoted as specialists with advanced skills. One remarkable employee we met, who works actively and instructs younger employees, will reach his 60th year of continuous employment next year.
Students took the opportunity on the return bus trip to discuss how Nishijima Corporation could serve as a model for solving problems related to Japan's aging population.
Visiting Nishijima Co., a company that
does not have mandatory retirement system
In return, students created a video letter