Integrating digital technologies with traditional productivity methods like kaizen amplifies benefits for enterprises. Digital kaizen, an evolution of continuous improvement, drives data-based transformation for smart manufacturing and addresses key challenges, such as adopting digital tools, improving quality and efficiency, reducing waste, and maintaining agility. Digital tools require continuous improvement as well as implementation to achieve excellence and resilience in volatile markets.

The Training Course on Digital Kaizen for SMEs was developed to introduce innovative, data-driven interventions for sustainable competitiveness. Held on 10–14 November 2025 in Tokyo and hosted by the Japan Productivity Center, the course explained digital kaizen fundamentals and emerging trends; shared approaches and best practices for enterprise-level digital transformation; and provided practical insights into enhancing productivity through digital technologies.

Eighteen participants from 12 APO members and Uzbekistan gained insights from two Japanese resource persons on IoT basics and trends; HR development through digital kaizen; and the essentials of starting projects, considering budget, timeline, and team structure. Hands-on exercises covered sensor data acquisition, transmission, and visualization and group work on problem identification. Site visits to Priken Co., Ltd.; Konno Corporation; and Finetech Japan enriched participants’ understanding of digital kaizen adoption. On the final day, participants showcased their learning and shared perspectives and solutions to ground-level challenges in individual presentations.