The Japan Productivity Center (JPC) and National Productivity Organization (NPO) Fiji organized a Bilateral Cooperation between NPOs project on Benchmarking Study on Productivity Enhancement Initiatives in Japan, 14–16 May. Four participants from the Ministry of Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations of Fiji attended.

The development and implementation of productivity enhancement initiatives require several strategies, including collaboration among government agencies, NPOs, and their stakeholders on disseminating such initiatives. The program offered participants an opportunity to learn from best practices by benchmarking against the achievements of the JPC and relevant institutions in Japan. Site visits to the JPC, Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers (JEED), National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), University of Tokyo Graduate School of Public Policy, and Wash-Plus, provided many key takeaways and success factors that may serve as a basis for the NPO Fiji in strengthening and developing new initiatives.

The program covered a wide range of topics, including minimum wage determination and skill development training programs for jobseekers who left their jobs and employees who wish to gain skills. Participants observed how each organization developed its programs to address the evolving needs of society and overcome challenges. They noted similarities between the productivity enhancement initiatives in Japan and Fiji. These findings may be incorporated into upcoming follow-up activities, which will be established based on strategic plans.