World Class Manufacturing - March Session
Mission dates: 01-05 March 2027
Schedule for the 57th Edition
Location: Tokai region (Chubu), around Nagoya
Total number of available places: 25
Company type: The programme is open to SMEs and large enterprises operating across all sectors.
Five Days Inside Japan's Manufacturing Heartland
Starting Monday, 1st March 2027, the 57th edition of World Class Manufacturing (WCM) is expected to take place in the Chubu region around Nagoya, an area widely regarded as the heartland of Japanese manufacturing. The selected candidates will spend five days moving between lectures, factory floors, and workshops — building a hands-on grasp of Lean Thinking, TQM, and TPM, the three pillars behind Kaizen. They will also have the opportunity to visit leading Japanese factories and suppliers, gaining first-hand insight into the proven manufacturing practices and continuous improvement methods that have long shaped Japan’s industrial excellence.
The programme will conclude on Friday, 5 March 2027, with group presentations turning what participants saw into a plan for their own organisations.
Tentative Schedule
Site visits are indicative and may be adjusted.
Day 1 — Foundations
Orientation, introductions, and an opening lecture on the origins of Kaizen and its three pillars (TPS, TQM, TPM).
Day 2 — Factory visits (see tentative topics below).
Day 3 — Workshop Day (Dojo)
Hands-on standard-work documentation, then a small-group exercise simulating production-line improvement, with team presentations and instructor critique.
Day 4 — Factory visits (see tentative topics below).
Day 5 — From Insight to Action
A closing lecture on the supervisor's role in sustaining improvement, group Action Plans, presentations, and the closing ceremony.
Factory Visits (Days 2 & 4) — tentative, can include the following topics:
- Precision manufacturing
- A sector outside automotive — proof Kaizen travels across industries
- A smart factory built around DX and automation
- An automotive parts supplier, where TPS is pushed to its limits on a high-volume pressing and welding line
- A local elementary school, to see 5S habits taught from childhood
Participant Profile
The evaluation of applicants will be based on two key criteria:
1. The applicant’s professional background, knowledge of Lean principles, and experience in process improvement. Applications with limited relevance in these areas may receive a lower score.
2. The applicant’s motivation to participate in the programme, as well as their ability to apply Lean tools within their organisation.
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
|
A1/ A2 |
Work for a company (SME* or large enterprise) based in the European Union or in a country associated with the Single Market Programme (SME Pillar**). The company’s headquarters must be located in an EU or SMP-associated country. |
|
B1 |
Be employed on the company payroll and, if not part of senior management, be supported by a signed letter from their employer. Be based in the EU or in a country associated with the Single Market Programme (SME Pillar). |
|
B2 |
Be able to participate in the programme in full. Substitution by another participant is not permitted. |
|
C |
Have a good command of English (recommended level B2 or higher). |
|
D |
Companies may participate multiple times, but individual employees may only participate once. Applicants may be excluded if they have previously participated in the World Class Manufacturing programme, cancelled their participation at short notice, were absent without a valid reason during a previous programme organised by the Centre, or otherwise failed to comply with programme guidelines, local laws, or instructions from Centre staff. |
(*) Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are companies that meet the standard criteria set by the European Commission.
(**) Please check the status of your country here.
Selection Criteria
The Centre will evaluate applicants based on the following selection criteria:
|
A |
The company's Lean strategy |
|
B |
The applicant’s professional background, knowledge of lean manufacturing and experience in process improvement. |
|
C |
The applicant’s motivation and involvement in implementing lean tools within the company |
Costs
The EU-Japan Centre will cover all costs directly related to the WCM programme, including factory visits, lectures and workshops, venue costs, daily lunch, and bus transportation between programme sites.
Participants are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel to and from Japan, as well as their accommodation costs. For logistical reasons, all selected participants are kindly requested to stay at the designated hotel used for the programme.
Selected participants are therefore kindly asked not to book accommodation for the duration of the programme until they have received further instructions from the EU-Japan Centre.
Deposit and Contribution
All selected applicants are required to pay a €1,000 refundable deposit to secure their place, which will be returned upon successful completion of the programme.
Participants from large companies (non-SMEs) are additionally required to pay a non-refundable contribution of €1,500 towards the programme costs.
We kindly invite you to submit your application by 8 December 2026.
Questions and Further Information
Please consult the WCM Programme FAQ before contacting the Centre, as it addresses the most common questions regarding eligibility, deposits, programme logistics, and the selection process.
Training mission, World Class Manufacturing (WCM) , company visits , Kaizen , Small and medium-sized enterprises