Unlocking the Potential of Japan's Manufacturing Sector with Layers Consulting's New Column

Layers Consulting Launches New Column in Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun

On June 11, 2026, Layers Consulting, located in Shinagawa, Tokyo, officially unveiled a new column titled "Unlocking the Potential of Japan's Manufacturing Industry" in the Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, a leading industrial economic newspaper. This new series will be featured weekly every Thursday under the "Machinery, Robotics, and Aircraft" section.

Japan's manufacturing sector has long been respected globally for its superior production techniques and high quality. However, there are challenges, such as a product development approach primarily targeting the domestic market, where the relentless pursuit of quality sometimes hampers responsive cost and price competitiveness. To sustain growth in the global market, it is imperative to design and develop products by considering worldwide demand and aligning them with the customer values efficiently while maintaining competitive cost structures and pricing strategies.

The focus of this series will be three crucial themes: design, cost, and pricing, aiming to connect the high technological and quality capabilities of Japan's manufacturing industry to global competitiveness. From the early stages of product planning and design, the series will integrate market needs, functional values, costs, pricing, and supply chains, providing insights on how to fully harness the inherent potential of Japan's manufacturing sector.

For the first three articles, the CEO of Layers Consulting, Hiroshi Sugino, will be at the helm, presenting the overall awareness of the issues and the direction for necessary reforms. From the fourth article onward, consultants with rich knowledge in supporting the manufacturing industry will contribute in a relay format, addressing a broader scope of discussion points aimed at enhancing competitiveness in the manufacturing sector based on their areas of expertise.

Through this column, Layers Consulting aims to deliver new perspectives and recommendations that will enable Japan's manufacturing industry to achieve further growth in the global market and establish sustainable competitive advantages.

Series Overview

- Series Title: Unlocking the Potential of Japan's Manufacturing Industry
- Media: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, Machinery, Robotics, and Aircraft Section
- Launch Date: June 11, 2026
- Main Themes: Reforming design, cost, and pricing; Global market strategies; Front-loading; Strengthening manufacturing competitiveness
- Publication Schedule: Every Thursday (tentative)
- URL: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun

About Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun

Founded in 1915, Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun is a media company specializing in industrial reporting. It provides information on technological trends, corporate management, policies, international news, and market analysis, primarily through its newspaper, Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun. In addition to print, it offers digital editions, databases, specialized publications, and hosts exhibitions, forums, and seminars to support technological innovation and the advancement of the manufacturing industry.

- URL: Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Corporation
- Headquarters: 14-1 Koamicho, Chuo Ward, Tokyo
- Phone Number: 03-5644-7000
- Representative: Taku Kamisaka
- Established: November 1915

About Layers Consulting

Established in 1983, Layers Consulting is a Japan-based independent consulting firm. We are committed to being a "fighting creative organization," assisting clients in surviving intense market changes through the realization of open innovation and the disruption of internal norms. Our services cover a wide range of domains, including human resource strategy development, talent management systems, design of HR systems, management systems, restructuring accounting systems, cost planning, cost management, product development process reform, business strategy reconstruction, new business development, and the promotion of digital transformation, serving around 500 domestic leading companies with approximately 1,000 consulting projects.

- URL: Layers Consulting
- Name: Layers Consulting Co., Ltd.
- Location: 3-1-1 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, Meguro Central Square
- Established: December 1983
- Representative: CEO Hiroshi Sugino
- Consulting Areas: 1. Management Control 2. Business Strategy (New Business, M&A) & Marketing 3. Supply Chain (Design, Production, Logistics) 4. Human Resources (Organizations, HR) 5. DX, ERP, AI (Information) 6. Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)