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TOKYO,
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Leading experts on productivity, human resources, and technology spoke
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APO Secretary-General AKP Mochtan acknowledged that the challenges ahead
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Nobel Prize Winner in Economics (2008) Paul Krugman, in a recorded keynote
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Two panels of experts
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\nJAPAN\u00a0–\u00a0Media OutReach<\/a>\u00a0– 11 June 2021 –\u00a0The Tokyo-based
\nAsian Productivity Organization (APO)<\/a> in partnership with the Japan
\nProductivity Center held the International Conference on the Centrality of Productivity
\non 10 June 2021. The virtual conference celebrated the 60th anniversary of the
\nAPO and examined the importance of productivity as a driver of growth for
\nnations, firms, and individuals amid new, demanding challenges including those
\ncaused by the COVID-19 pandemic. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\n
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\nat the conference. Japan Productivity Center Chairman Yuzaburo Mogi, who is also
\nChairman and Honorary CEO of Kikkoman, remarked that, despite the turbulent
\nsituation, “Each one of us must develop our potential to the fullest to create
\nvalue added and improve productivity.” \u00a0<\/p>\n
\n
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\n
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\nare demanding, complex, and urgent. He introduced the Tokyo Statement on the
\nCentrality of Productivity, a declaration encapsulating the resolve of APO member
\ncountries to continue promoting productivity. <\/p>\n
\n
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\naddress, expressed optimism for a brighter future despite the tragedies brought
\nby the pandemic. He believed that “productive globalism” and well-intended
\npublic policies behind the development and distribution of vaccines indicated progress
\ntoward a better world. <\/p>\n
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\nexplored pressing issues affecting productivity. The first discussed
\nimperatives for building a quality workforce, highlighting the need to shift
\ntoward performance-based, inclusive, diverse human capital. The second panel examined
\nsmart transformation by leveraging new drivers of productivity including digital
\ntechnologies, AI, and big data. Digital Minister Audrey Tang shared experiences on how
\npeople\u2013public\u2013private partnerships had helped to counter the pandemic in the
\nRepublic of China. Japanese technopreneur Katsuya Uenoyama advocated an
\nimproved ecosystem that promotes coexistence between people and AI. <\/p>\n
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