Managing Director Okawa (R) and Secretary-General Dr. Indra begin discussions at JPC headquarters.

APO Secretary-General Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata paid a courtesy call on Japan Productivity Center (JPC) Managing Director Yukihiro Okawa at JPC headquarters on 1 November. Managing Director Okawa warmly welcomed and congratulated Secretary-General Dr. Indra on the successful 63rd Workshop Meeting of Heads of NPOs (WSM) in Bangkok. While appreciating the active participation and contributions of NPO delegates for Japan at the WSM, Secretary-General Indra also expressed respect for the wisdom of the JPC as a pioneer of the productivity movement in the 1950s and a key creator of the APO. He also pointed out that the five roles of the APO defined by its founding members continued to be valid 60 years later.

Managing Director Okawa explained the background and value of the Survey to SG Dr. Indra.

Managing Director Okawa appreciated the support of the APO for the recent JPC Survey on Businesspersons’ Awareness on Productivity Issues and noted that the survey involved a comparative study of productivity growth among Germany, Japan, and the USA. Its methodology and results could assist other APO members in adjusting their productivity-related initiatives to reflect current needs.

Secretary-General Indra and Managing Director Okawa both noted the differences in the setup of National Productivity Organizations (NPOs) in APO members and agreed that involving the private sector was crucial to enhance the productivity movement in the region. Based on their shared views, they exchanged new ideas on possible collaborations and projects.

Managing Director Okawa and Secretary-General Dr. Indra reconfirmed that they would maintain close communication and collaboration between the JPC and APO Secretariat while continuing to explore effective approaches and ideas for productivity enhancement in Japan as well as the Asia-Pacific region.