Monozukuri: The ancient philosophy advancing tech today

2026-09-10
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Skilled expertise runs deep at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). From its foundation in shipbuilding in 1884 to its position as a business that spans energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery and more today, the company has long strived for excellence in its operations.

Core to achieving that is monozukuri — a Japanese philosophy that has existed for thousands of years. Monozukuri is about more than just manufacturing: it is the spirit of making things with care, pride, and precision.

At MHI, this reflects a commitment to craftsmanship that combines deep technical expertise with respect for people, materials, and purpose, as well as constant improvement (kaizen in Japanese).

Implementing more than 1,000 improvements in gas turbine assembly, for example, has opened the door to expanding production capacity by 30%, with further expansion in progress — crucial at a time when demand for the technology is soaring.

As advanced tools, including AI and robotics, continue to transform manufacturing, monozukuri is also underpinning progress by helping skilled engineers collaborate and innovate across disciplines by sharing knowledge, platforms and resources.

Ultimately, for MHI, monozukuri means designing and building products that perform reliably, endure over time, and create real value for society. Discover more in this short video:

 

Discover more about how MHI creates reliable and innovative solutions that make a lasting difference

David Elliott

David Elliott

David Elliott has two decades’ experience working as a journalist, communications professional and content creator, including for some of the world’s biggest technology brands.

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