Applications are now open for the World Class Manufacturing Programme in Japan - March 2027

The EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation is pleased to launch the 57th edition of its well-known programme, World Class Manufacturing, and would greatly appreciate your support in sharing this opportunity with your members and relevant networks. 

Five Days Inside Japan's Manufacturing Heartland 

Starting Monday, 1st March 2027, the 57th edition of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) is expected to take place in the Chubu region around Nagoya, an area widely regarded as the heartland of Japanese manufacturing. The selected candidates will spend five days moving between lectures, factory floors, and workshops — building a hands-on grasp of Lean Thinking, TQM, and TPM, the three pillars behind Kaizen. They will also have the opportunity to visit leading Japanese factories and suppliers, gaining first-hand insight into the proven manufacturing practices and continuous improvement methods that have long shaped Japan’s industrial excellence.

The programme will conclude on Friday, 5 March 2027, with group presentations turning what participants saw into a plan for their own organisation. 

Key Information 
Application deadline: 8 December 2026 
Places available: Up to 25 participants

The call is open to SMEs, large companies and clusters from the EU or countries associated with the Single Market Programme, SME Pillar, subject to eligibility criteria. 
A €1,000 deposit is refundable upon full participation and submission of the required questionnaires. Large companies also pay a €1,500 non-refundable contribution fee. 

For further information, please click here: https://www.eu-japan.eu/events/world-class-manufacturing-mission-II