What is the Monozukuri
Creative Base SENTAN?
People and ideas
driving the future of monozukuri
Toyota City is a city of makers—a hub for the people and companies who are carrying Japan’s monozukuri traditions into the future. Long a center of manufacturing for the auto and other industries, monozukuri in Toyota City is today on the cusp of an entirely new era of technological innovations from AI to IoT, the shift to new energy sources, and more.
The Monozukuri Creative Base SENTAN brings together three key facilities: the Toyota Innovation Center, Next Generation Industry Section, Industry Division, Toyota City, and the Toyota City Monozukuri Support Center. The purpose of SENTAN is to provide comprehensive support for business and groups looking to develop new monozukuri businesses and projects, innovative monozukuri solutions, and monozukuri talent.
SENTAN is a place for people to interact and share ideas, with monozukuri spaces where they can translate those ideas into objects. It is a new center of activity for companies and entrepreneurs looking to develop new monozukuri projects and businesses, while also supporting the young people who will drive the next generation of monozukuri creation.
SENTAN is the launching point for the future of monozukuri in Toyota City.
Behind the name
The name for the Monozukuri Creative Base SENTAN comes from three combinations of Chinese characters, all read sen-tan.
- 「閃鍛」
- This combination means “to forge inspiration”, and refers to the process of generating innovative ideas.
- 「千鍛」
- This combination literally means “to train a thousand times”, and refers to the fact that accomplishments come from repeated practice. It stresses the importance of perseverance.
- 「先端」
- This combination means “cutting-edge” or “trendsetting”. It refers to leadership and driving things forward.
Consultation and information-gathering
The coordinators at the Toyota Innovation Center are certified consultants for small and mid-sized businesses. They take the time to understand company challenges from every angle, then leverage their extensive networks and technological insights to offer optimum solutions. They can also meet with city representatives in charge of offering subsidies and other support measures to monozukuri companies in Toyota City.
Processing and manufacturing
The Monozukuri Space is a place for the prototype development activities that translate ideas into objects. Users have access to a variety of machine tools in this space, which includes areas for metalworking, woodworking, laser processing, assembly, and more.Note: The Monozukuri Space is only open to registered users
Interaction and exchange
The Interaction Space is designed to foster the encounters and exchanges that lead companies to create new value. From networking events to hackathons, this space offers opportunities for project leaders from various companies to interact across industries—generating fresh ideas and bringing users from various fields together.
Seminars and training
The Toyota Innovation Center puts together seminars and training programs to help with the development of new businesses and projects, while also offering lectures and study sessions hosted by the city. There are even science classes for kids at the Monozukuri Support Center.
Organization
Toyota Innovation Center
The Toyota Innovation Center is a collaborative effort between the Toyota Chamber of Commerce, the National Institute of Technology at Toyota College, and Toyota City. It is designed to be the go-to support institution for monozukuri companies looking for support in resolving their technological and management challenges. Coordinators well-versed in technology take the time to understand company challenges from every angle, then leverage their extensive networks and other assets to offer optimum solutions.
- Phone：
- 0565-47-1240
- FAX：
- 0565-47-1242
- Email：
- ticinfo@toyota-innnov.aichi.jp
Next Generation Industry Section, Industry Division, Toyota City
The Next Generation Industry Section is in charge of operations related to fostering operation of manufacturing centers and next generation industries. We support the development new business deployment, creative innovation and related human resources through our Monozukuri+α initiative.
- Phone：
- 0565-47-1250
- FAX：
- 0565-47-1252
- Email：
- monozukuri-sozo@city.toyota.aichi.jp
Active Lifelong Support Department,Community Life Enhancement Division, Toyota City Monozukuri Support Center
The Monozukuri Support Center rolls out projects that provide opportunities for kids to experience monozukuri at all ages. It runs the Monozukuri Education Program for elementary school classrooms, aids the activities of “monozukuri supporters”, holds educational talks on science and manufacturing for junior high and high school students, and more.
- Phone：
- 0565-47-1260
- FAX：
- 0565-47-1262
- Email：
- monozukuri@city.toyota.aichi.jp