From Organization-Based Toward Individuals-Based Engineers: Current Reforms in Japan

Abstract

Torrent of globalization forced us to reform our once renowned Japanese style management system that featured lifetime employment and seniority-based payment. The direction of the reform is definitely from organization-based toward individuals-based society. The establishment of engineering profession is the key issue of this reform. Multilateral efforts, for example, foundation of accreditation body for engineering education, revision of Professional Engineers Law, introduction of integrated CPD system, are ongoing. Engineering societies are essential contributors for the design and implementation of such systems.