About us

History

In the center of photo is Mr. Taizo Ishizaka, the first chairman of the JPC.The Japan Productivity Center (JPC) was established in March 1955 by a Cabinet decision concerning measures for productivity improvement (Sept. 24, 1954).

Since its founding in 1955, the JPC upheld its basic philosophy of maintaining and respecting the human element in economic activities. It launched a nationwide productivity movement centered on Japanfs industrial society based on three guiding principles: expansion of employment; cooperation between labor and management; and fair distribution of the fruits of productivity among labor, management, and consumers. As a neutral tripartite organization representing labor, management, and academic experts, it contributed greatly to the development of Japanfs economy and the improvement of peoplefs lives.

The SECJ was founded in 1973 as a sister organization of the JPC to serve as a think tank for presenting timely policy proposals on important socio-economic issues with the aim of developing national consensus. Its activities encompassed a wide range of fields, including social, economic, and welfare policies, and involved the participation of opinion leaders representing various spheres of society, such as management, labor, academia, and consumer groups. For over 20 years, the SECJ worked with governmental agencies and other relevant organizations for the implementation of those policies. Furthermore, it played an active part in promoting specific policies for environment and energy issues, and displayed a strong ability to take decisive action.

The JPC succeeded the think tank function of the SECJ, and is pursuing the productivity movement from a more social perspective than ever before. It has strengthened its linkage with the Congressional Forum for New Japan (21 Seiki Rincho), and has subsequently launched various new programs. These include the National Forum on Entrepreneurship and Venture Business for revitalizing industries in Japan, the Japan Quality Award, a distinction awarded to companies displaying excellent management, and the Japan Society for Human Resource Management.

Chronological history

2013 Oct Forum of People and Management is established
2012 May Japan Economic Growth Forum is established
2012 Feb Japan Akademeia is established
2011 May Japan Policy Council is established
  Nov The JPC merges with the Japan Institute of Industrial Engineering
2010 March Transition to Public Interest Incorporated Foundation
2009 Feb Mentor Awards is Created
  Apr. JPC-SED is renamed as JPC.
2008 Sep The Council of Working Women's Empowerment is established
2007 May The Council of Service Productivity & Innovation for Growth(SPRING) is established
2006 Aug The Council for Promotion of Work-Life Balance is established
2005 March The JPC-SED announces Declaration of the 50th Anniversary of the Productivity Movement.Towards a Society Based on Mutual Trust and Vitality.
2005 Dec. The 50th Anniversary Productivity Symposium is held in Tokyo.
2004 May First Manifesto Verification Conference (21Seiki Rincho).
2001 Jan. The JPC-SED announces its productivity declaration for the 21st century.
2000 April The Japan Society for Human Resource Management is established.
1999 July The Secretariat for the 21st Century Provisional Commission for Administrative Reform is established.
1996 March The International Productivity Center (IPC) is opened.
  June The Japan Quality Council is established, and the Japan Quality Award is created.
1994 April The JPC merges with the SECJ.
    The Japan Productivity Center for Socio-Economic Development (JPC-SED) is established.
    The JPC-SED announces its creed.
1992 April The Secretariat for Political Reform Promotion Council is established.
  Sept. The 5-year technical cooperation project for human resource development in Central and South America commences.
  Sept. A delegation led by deputy chiefs of the China National Planning Committee is received by the SECJ.
1990 Sept. The Project for Productivity Improvement Assistance in the Former Soviet Union and East European Countries commences.
1989 Oct. The Political Reform Forum is organized.
1985 Nov. The National Congress for Information Society Issues (the present Committee on Information Economy) is established.
1986 June The Forum for the Reform of the National Railways is held.
1984 July The Singapore Productivity Development Project is launched.
  April The Information Center for Energy Education (now the Information Center for Energy and Environment Education) is established.
1983 May The First International Productivity Symposium is held in Tokyo.
1976 May The World Environment Expo is held in Tokyo.
1973 Nov. The Social and Economic Congress of Japan (SECJ) is established.
1971 May The first productivity cruise is launched.
1965 April The Academy of Management Development is founded.
1961 April The Asia Productivity Organization is established.
1958 Aug. The first Karuizawa top management seminar is held.
1956 April The Productivity Research Center is established.
1955 March The Japan Productivity Center (JPC) is established.
  May The JPC declares its three guiding principles.
  Sept. The first top management mission (leader: Taizo Ishizaka) is dispatched.