To become a company that pursues high quality, we are having a discussion project to learn from top-class people in various fields. Our second guest is Mr.Kikuo Ibe (Senior Fellow of CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.), the first G-SHOCK developer.
Since the launch of the first model in 1983, G-SHOCK has been loved by people around the world, and have been shipped over 130 million cumulative numbers.We interviewed Mr.Ibe, the developer, about his advice and ale for the people who is involved in future manufacturing, and about his important viewpoints for “”invention.”””

things”” in the world are always thought of as being useful to someone.

Mr.Ibe:On this occasion, I took the opportunity to read President Mr.Isosaka’s book （『‘Beyond Expectations’』）I re-recognized that products are not only itself, but also including packages surrounding the products.
Since I often go on business trips abroad, I often come in contact with overseas products. Compared to them, I feel we can be proud of Japan’s packaging technology.

Mr.Isosaka:Some foreign customers say that they would be satisfied if the product is wrapped as the word “”Packaging”” says, but the Japanese word “”Hoso (meaning packaging)”” must combine both qualities and beauty for wrapping.I think it is a unique culture of Japan.

Mr.Ibe:It gave me an opportunity to rethink what we had taken for granted in the past. Even with the wrappings of small caramel product, it made me think why is it so beautifully wrapped.

Mr.Isosaka:Our starting point of packaging is actually a caramel packaging.This year marks the 108th anniversary of our founding. In the first generation, we started business by making the ornament of mikoshi, and after the war, we changed our business format to caramel packaging.Since then, our seniors have continued to focus on “”packaging”” all kinds of products and have evolved.

Mr.Ibe:Is that so.

Mr.Isosaka:And now we are looking for ways to further enhance our product value and brand power in the coming 100 years.
One of the answers is the provision of quality.Not only high quality, but also something from the viewpoint of the recipient that shows the craftsman’s commitment, something that empathizes his or her feelings, or in other words, “”something that makes you excited, something that you want to have it!”” is high quality.”
In that point, “”G-SHOCK”” is really embodying.

Mr.Ibe:I am honored.

Mr.Isosaka:I have long thought that “”G-SHOCK”” is a “”Hero”” of manufacturing that Japan can be proud of, and it has always been inside my heart since the first model was released in 1983.
Today, we received an opportunity from Mr.Ibe, the creator of “”G-SHOCK,”” to hear your commitment and hints about manufacturing.

Mr.Ibe:Thank you.Being expected or praised in this way, I am illuminated (laughs).

Mr.Isosaka:Mr Ibe’s secret stories and efforts to develop “”G-SHOCK”” have been told through books such as “”Simple Rules for the Man Who Made G-SHOCK”” and interviews. What activities are you currently doing?

Mr.Ibe:We conduct activities to expand G-SHOCK worldwide, to convey idea concepts and know-how such as how to raise motivation to engineers of our company and other companies, and to provide hints on inventing to elementary school students.Because of the influence of COVID-19, I have not been able to engage externally as before, but these three are the main tasks.The rest of time, thinking about new topics.

Mr.Isosaka:“”SHOCK THE WORLD (Note 1)”” refers to worldwide public relations activities.I heard that you are doing a presentation in their native languages in each countries, and I am impressed of your tremendous effort.What are you telling in other seminars and lectures?

Mr.Ibe:For business people, I convey the content of how each engineer should make things and work every day in the context of the company’s strategy. The way of thinking when a person is inside the organization.
For elementary school students, I am telling the essence, start point, and fun of “”manufacturing”” in more vibrant way.In this activity, I am learning a lot from them.

Mr.Isosaka:For example, what kind?

Mr.Ibe:In an invention class working with public relations team, elementary school students are asked to write an idea sketch of invention, but naturally there is no sudden idea coming up.
At that time, I support them with a word, “”Things are always thought of as being useful to someone””.”””Before you come to school in the morning, what did you see? Does it help in anything?”””
Then, soon, the idea comes out.
People tend to say that young children nowadays are not good, but I was made to realize that this may be because of bad adults who are not providing stimulation or environment, or on the part of their bosses when it comes to the company.

Create an environment conducive to innocent thinking

Mr.Isosaka:This is not someone else’s affairs for us either. myself am originally a developer, and I still have many opportunities to interact with project members within the company today, but even though I understand the pains of manufacturing, I may be asking for a leap in my thinking by asking “”Aren’t there any more great ideas?It’s also the flip side of my expectations.

Mr.Ibe:Our brain tends to get stiff when growing up.On this point, elementary school students are amazing.”If I was asked, “”How is schoolbag useful?”” I would answer, “”Our textbook can be carried in it.””. But students would answer, “”It’s a substitute when I don’t have a pillow.”””
When discussing about a wrist watch, they come up with an idea of a arm band which is eatable and will grow again.The idea that it would be useful in times of disasters.Something far beyond the adult’s imagination comes out.I am surprised by the infinite number of ideas.

Mr.Isosaka:Very much free imagination.I often tell my employees too.”””Possibilities are infinite””.It’s only yourself who is deciding what you can do or can not do.So I am pushing their backs saying it’s better to challenge in the possibilities.
Especially when you have been working in the same way for a long time, you tend to think that it’s okay to do the same as before or it’s OK because you have not been told.I’m telling them this is the most trivial thing.
I myself have to soften my mind like an elementary school student in Mr.Ibe’s invention class, and I must create a place where employees can exchange their free and open opinions.

First of all, shifting your thoughts to action.Break your fixed mind.

Mr.Ibe:What I would like to convey to the young people who will be responsible for manufacturing in the future is “”First, make action.Young people today are generally smart.They says they love studying.Which is very good.But it’s a disadvantage when it ends there.
They seem to have something in common: they think too much because they are smart, and they don’t take on challenges because they have a too good view of the world.When you were in elementary school, everyone was innocent and free, but somehow your mind gets stiff.
Before, when I went to teach in class at a high school, I was consulted by a student saying, “”I can see all the answers before I do anything. That’s why I can’t take action.It was a shocking comment, I also wondered if these ideas were common to the younger people of today.

Mr.Isosaka :Because he is smart, he thinks too much or he feels like he sees the story of the future.Maybe he imagine the gains and losses at that time and thinks it’s better not to take on challenges so much as to fail.

Mr.Ibe:Yes.It seems like he is stopping his walk by arbitrarily deciding on the answers. whether it’s about life or whether it’s about manufacturing, good or bad, things don’t go the way he want.
I told the student, “”You can try it once. The results might be as you imagine, or might not be as you imagine. The difference makes things interesting.
It’s frustrating and really wasteful that you’re killing your possibilities by not acting with your stiff head.

Mr.Isosaka:I always say that “”the biggest failure is not to do anything because you are afraid of failure.”” Manufacturing is a world of challenge without a correct answer.
I also wrote in my book, “”Failure is a great deal. KAWASHIMA’s style is to support people who take on challenges.

Mr.Ibe:That is wonderful and envious.I felt it when I read books, but those who work at your company should be happy.Even I wanted to work at your company.
I am also a manufacturing person, so I am very encouraged by the fact that there are managers who value manufacturing amid the trend of Japanese industry moving into the service industry.

Mr.Isosaka:I too have many things to do in the future, but first of all, I would like to make our employees and customers happy and excited.
I also renewed my desire to take on more challenges for “”Manufacturing country Japan.

Mr.Ibe:I would be happy if those who read this article would challenge by saying, “”Maybe I could start with a small step””.There are so many people who are so cautious about their actions, so if you have a dream of accomplishing something through manufacturing, try to act immediately.
I would never be so happy if KAWASHIMA produces products that will become the next “”HERO”” or craftsmen of manufacturing.

[Continued to Part 2]
In the part 2, we will explain how to create products that are loved by people around the world, such as G-SHOCK, how to maintain motivation, the common aspects of KAWASHIMA and Mr.Ibe, and how to communicate to people who want to make products.

Mr.Kikuo Ibe
Born in 1952.After graduating from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Sophia University, he joined Casio Computer.In 1981, he began with a single-line plan stating that ‘a strong watch that could not be broken even if it was dropped,’ and after two years of development, he launched the first ‘ G-SHOCK ‘ to the world in 1983.
In 1996, he planned and commercialized a full-metal, shock-resistant G-SHOCK “”MR-G”” for adults as a project leader.In 2004, we planned and commercialized OCEANUS, a full-metal model equipped with radio-wave solar, with the aim of upgrading Casio’s brand stage.In 2008, we began SHOCK THE WORLD to convey the story of developing G-SHOCK worldwide.Currently, she conveys her thoughts and know-how through workshops and seminars on nurturing the next generation of engineers, and “”Invention Classes”” at elementary schools throughout Japan.
Casio Computer Co., Ltd. website:https://www.casio.co.jp/
G-SHOCK Official Website:https://gshock.casio.com/jp/

Note1:SHOCK THE WORLD
“””To convey the appeal of “”””G-SHOCK”””” to the world, promotional events to create fans, including Mr Ibe’s “”””G-SHOCK”””” developmental story.”””To date, more than 30 countries have visited.Everything is presented in local languages.The last word to be conveyed is “”Never Never Never, Give Up “”.

Picture:Takahiro Yamada
Text:Cross Media Marketing