The extent of automation in Japanese casting operations is equivalent to that in the United States. A unanimous dedication to training is evident, and it is a key element in supporting Japan's continuous improvement ethic. Japanese foundries face many of the same problems as American foundries in the area of recruiting foundry workers and engineers. However, they emphasize training and maintaining the skills of their workers in an effort to retain those workers, much more so than in U.S. foundries. Government workplace safety and health regulations are not as rigorous in Japan as in the United States.
Environmental consciousness is high in Japan.