DBR to Host Insight Tour on Japan's AI-Driven Manufacturing Innovation

DBR, a leading Korean business content platform, is offering a unique "Tokyo Factory Innovation Week Insight Tour" for business leaders seeking to understand the future of manufacturing in the age of AI. The four-day program, running from September 9 to 12, will immerse participants in Japan's advanced manufacturing landscape.

The tour centers on the "Factory Innovation Week (FIW) 2026" exhibition in Tokyo, a major showcase of Japan's progress in factory automation and digital transformation. FIW 2026 is presented as a crucial platform to observe how Japan is adapting its manufacturing survival strategies through AI and DX, addressing challenges like an aging population and stagnant productivity. The exhibition covers smart factories, robotics, eco-friendly production, and next-generation process technologies.

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FIW is the platform where you can first see how Japan is rewriting the rules of manufacturing survival through AI and digital transformation, in response to an aging population and stagnant productivity.

A key feature of this program is its foundation in KAIST's established field study methods for Japanese manufacturing innovation. The curriculum is structured around four core themes: securing AI and digital transformation for practical application, deriving cost structure improvements, obtaining expert feedback for new business development, and innovating customer experiences. Participants will engage in intensive sessions to analyze, interpret, and strategize based on their observations of Japanese manufacturing sites.

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The tour reconstructs the Japanese manufacturing innovation field learning conducted by the KAIST Graduate School of Technology and Management into a corporate leader course.

Beyond the exhibition, the tour includes visits to "Hamano Seisakusho," a renowned small but strong manufacturing company recognized by the Emperor, and "Liworld," a physical AI startup collaborating with major Japanese firms on robot transformation projects. The program also features special lectures by Yasuyuki Nishioka, a professor at Hosei University and leader of the DX consortium "IVI," and Kenzo Fujisue, former member of the Japanese House of Councillors. Throughout the tour, expert guidance will be provided by Yoon Tae-sung, a KAIST adjunct professor specializing in manufacturing DX and technology management, who brings extensive experience from academia and entrepreneurship in Tokyo.

The program is designed for a select group of up to 30 corporate representatives and executives eager to gain insights into manufacturing innovation, production technology, and new business development. The all-inclusive package covers flights, accommodation, meals, and travel insurance, with Korean interpretation provided for all sessions. Further details and application information are available on the DBR education website.

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The tour is designed to provide in-depth explanations and customized workshops, led by Yoon Tae-sung, an adjunct professor at KAIST Graduate School of Technology and Management and a manufacturing DX expert.