Strengthening Manufacturing Collaboration: DIM Study Tour to Japan

Photo: Jonne Renvall/ Tampere University

In September 2025, Tampere University and Deepening Integration in Manufacturing (DIM) research project members will take a significant step toward enhancing international collaboration in manufacturing research and industry. As part of the DIM project, a study tour to Japan is being organized to deepen ties between Finnish and Japanese research communities.

The Finnish coordination of the study tour is led by Tuomas Ahola and Matias Ståhle from Tampere University, and Johan Wallin and Niklas Koski from Synocus. On the Japanese side, Professor Mitsuhiro Fukuzawa is overseeing the organization of activities, supported by Professors Takahiro Fujimoto and Young Won Park from the University of Tokyo. Planning for the study tour began with the launch of the DIM project in winter 2025, followed by productive discussions between Finnish and Japanese partners throughout the spring.

Exploring Key Themes for Future Manufacturing Collaboration

DIM aims to build a collaborative community of companies, universities, cities, and policymakers to strengthen capabilities and share knowledge across the Finnish manufacturing sector. Tampere University has a long history of manufacturing and industrial engineering and management research that has always been conducted in close collaboration with the Finnish manufacturing sector. The DIM project holds strong potential for promoting Finnish manufacturing expertise globally, bridging industry and academic research communities. With over 350,000 people directly employed in manufacturing in Finland—compared to 10 million in Japan—the sector plays a vital role in national economies.

Collaboration with Japanese partners offers valuable opportunities, as Japan has long been a global leader in manufacturing innovation and research. Joint efforts in education can provide future professionals with cross-cultural insights and foster the next generation of industrial innovation. The study tour will serve as a platform for evaluating and discussing preliminary research topics that have been jointly explored by Tampere University and Synocus in collaboration with the Japanese partners. These topics include (but are not limited to), for example:

• Modular vs. integral architecture: Investigates how different product architectures influence manufacturing flexibility, scalability, and innovation potential.
• Ecosystems and innovation hubs: Explores the role of collaborative networks and regional innovation centers in accelerating industrial development.
• Managing large projects: Focuses on best practices and challenges in leading and executing large-scale industrial projects.
• Knowledge creation: Examines mechanisms for generating, sharing, and applying knowledge within and across manufacturing organizations and supply chains
• Heavy-weight product manager: Analyzes the strategic role of product managers in coordinating complex product development across functions.
• Path dependencies: Studies how historical decisions and legacy systems shape current manufacturing capabilities and strategic options.
• Robotics and semiconductors: Looks into emerging technologies and their integration into advanced manufacturing systems.

These themes reflect areas of mutual interest and potential collaboration. During the visit, the goal is to prioritize these topics and prepare for productive discussions with Japanese counterparts.

A Week of Strategic Engagement and Industrial Insight

The DIM study tour to Japan in September 2025 features a carefully planned program that combines academic engagement with industrial exploration. The Finnish delegation will arrive in Tokyo on September 14, followed by a research meeting at the University of Tokyo’s Hongo Campus on September 15. The next two days will be dedicated to company visits in the Tokyo area, including Suruga Production Platform’s Shizuoka Factory, Fuji Electric’s Tokyo Factory, and Kurita Water Industries’ Innovation Hub.

On September 18, the group will participate in the Osaka Expo, providing a broader view of Japan’s innovation landscape. The tour continues with a visit to Daikin Industries’ Technology and Innovation Center and to Kinjo Rubber in Osaka on September 19, before concluding with the return flight to Helsinki on September 20. This program is designed to foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration between Finnish and Japanese stakeholders in manufacturing industry and research.

By combining academic research with company-driven initiatives, the DIM study tour seeks to lay the groundwork for impactful, long-term collaboration in manufacturing innovation. A follow-up post will be published after the study tour concludes, sharing key insights, reflections, and outcomes from the visit to Japan.

 

Matias Ståhle
Senior Research Fellow

Tampere University