Open the window! - 24/2/'14
Our last day in Nagoya started early: at 7:30 everyone gathered in the lobby of Hotel Wing International accompanied by their luggage. Before leaving Nagoya we still had to visit the Toyota Technological Institute and a company called Ubukata.
The Toyota Technological Institute (TTI) is the smallest college of technology and science in Japan. This college is founded with the aid of Toyota Motor Corporation, but operates independently. Like other companies in Japan, Toyota wants to contribute to society by supporting this institute for top-level research and education.
We were welcomed by Hiroyuki Sakaki, president of TTI. He explained the history of Toyota and the Technological Institute. In only 30 years of existence, researchers at the institute won several Nobel prizes. They aim to learn students the important basics, but they also develop social aspects, learn about society and humanity and gather practical knowledge during several internships. The tour took our group along the Smart Vehicle Centre, where some small electrical research vehicles are used to develop autonomous driving cars. The Smart Vehicle Centre also has a real car equipped with sensors and all the necessities for autonomous driving. Another part of TTI we got to see focussed on materials for photo detectors. In this lab detectors could be made out of different materials and afterwards characterized. This contributes to the development of new designs and the use of new materials. After a nice informal talk during lunch we had to leave TTI and go to our next stop: Ubukata.
We had found this company on the internet and contacted them to arrange a visit. Ubukata produces several products to enhance safety in home and for the automotive industry. It was founded in 1957 and currently has 210 employees. The products they make are seismic sensors, motor protection devices, thermal switches for automotive air conditioning, glass terminals for cable feed through and a new line of consumer earthquake sensors. Their seismic sensors are used in 70% of the Japanese homes to shut off the gas supply in case of a strong earthquake. The motor protection devices are mainly used in air conditioning compressors (global 70% market share) to prevent fire if the electric motor fails. Both products are a nice example of the company motto: “safety technology for all around the world”. During the tour through the factory they showed the production of bi-metal parts for the motor protection devices. All production machines were designed and build by Ubukata. This way, they are independent from other companies and have exact control of the quality of the end product. Not one single machine is the same because of constant improvement of the design.
After this visit we had to return to the hotel in Nagoya to collect our luggage. Then we took the train to Takayama, a trip of 2,5 hours. When we got out of the train we were surrounded by mountains and snow. Clearly we found ourselves in the Japanese Alps.
The presentations of both TTI and Ubukata also highlighted some cultural aspects that differ from the Netherlands. First, both speakers were very impressed by the way this study tour was organized. Organizing this tour is a very good opportunity for students to gather new competences and learn from other countries. Japanese students are often not in the position to organize a trip as we did, although both speakers emphasize on the importance of international experience. At TTI there is a special international room where you can talk in any language, except Japanese. Students from Japan and other countries can meet here and enjoy cultural events from other countries.
Secondly, the people at your company/institute are most important. Ubukata opted to build a new building at the location of the older office, instead of moving to another location. The latter option is cheaper, but came with the risk of losing employees who did not want to travel to the new location. The complete third floor of the new building offers facilities for the employees to use during break or after work. Every year a poster is made with the company’s main values surrounded by pictures of all employees, to show everyone who contributes to the success of the company. Both TTI and Ubukata stimulate people to develop new original ideas. Try to realize your dreams is key to Ubukata’s policy, or according to TTI: “Open the window and discover that the outside is much broader than you expect”.
By: Mark te Brake