Kobe University Jean Monnet CoE-NECA International Symposium was held on 26 June 2018
in Tokyo and on 28 June 2018 in Osaka
Jean Monnet CoE of Kobe University together with NECA (Nippon Electric Control EquipmentIndustries Association) held an International Symposium entitled “New wave of safety in the world:
Strategic cooperation between Europe and Japan concerning the promotion of collaborative safety"Safety 2.0" and Vision Zero”. The symposium was held on 26 June (Tue) at Ivy Hall of Aoyama
Gakuin University in Tokyo and on 28 June (Thu) at Saji Keizo Hall, Nakanoshima Center in Osaka.
141 participants attended the symposium in Tokyo and 105 attended the one in Osaka.
The symposium featured five lectures and started with opening remarks by Mr. Akira Kubota,
Executive Director of NECA. Chairperson of the symposium was Prof. Dr. Masakatsu Morii (Dept. ofElectrical and Electronic Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Kobe University).
First lecture “Future vision for 5ZERO Manufacturing and the approach to safety and security”
was delivered by Mr. Yoichi Hayama (Chairman of Monozukuri-Kotozukuri Committee, NECA).
NECA’s cooperation with connected industries was explained and four levels (targeted between 2010and 2030) of 5ZERO Manufacturing were outlined. Mr. Hayama also gave details on the Safety
Assessor qualification system which has been promoted by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Tradeand Industry.
Next, Prof. Dr. Gerard I.J.M. Zwetsloot (Honorary Professor in Occupational Health and Safety
Management, University of Nottingham, UK) delivered a lecture “The Zero (Accident) Vision,
European experiences and perspectives”, in which he explained the rationale behind the Vision Zeroand Zero Accident Vision (ZAV). He also shared his research results on successful strategies for
implementing ZAV and gave concrete examples from oil and gas and construction sectors, amongothers.
Then, Dr. Masao Mukaidono (Chairman of Institute of Global Safety Promotion (IGSAP),
Professor Emeritus of Meiji University) gave a lecture “Realization of the “Future Safety Concept", inwhich he advocated the importance of “safety” in corporate management for all industries in Japan.
He also emphasised a great potential for increasing collaboration between Japanese and European
firms in the concept of “Safety 2.0”, the future safety concept.
Lecture “What is “Zero Accident Activities” in Japan –about its history, vision and activities” byMr. Hirohito Suzuki (Director of Campaign Promotion Division, Zero-Accident Promotion Center,Education and Promotion Department, JISHA) explored in detail the founding principles, objectives
and implementation of the Zero-Accident-Campaign in Japan, and gave insights into the Japanese
KYT (Hazard Prediction Activities; Kiken Yochi Training in Japanese).
Finally, Mr. Johan van Middelaar (Manager, Dept. of Industrial Safety, The Netherland
Organization for Applied Scientific Research-TNO) shared his expert knowledge on Robotics in hislecture “Human-Robot collaboration- TNO, the Netherlands”. He illustrated various levels ofhuman-robot interaction in detail and provided examples from TNO on robot application.
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The symposium ended by a very active panel discussion and exchange of opinions between thefive speakers and the panel moderator, Dr. Toshihiro Fujita (Chairman of Control Safety Committeeof NECA). The event ended with closing remarks given by Mr. Nobuyuki Yamaki (President of Japan
Industrial Safety and Health Association (JISHA).

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