January 15, 2021
The Council on Measures for Supply Chains in the Aircraft Industry held a meeting on January 15, 2021, and participants shared recognition on the seriousness of the impacts caused by the novel coronavirus disease on the aircraft industry. They confirmed a policy that amid this situation, the government, companies, municipalities and related organizations should collaborate and support supply chains in the industry, including SMEs, to overcome the current difficulties that the industry is facing and lead the industry to growth in the future.
Outline of the meeting
At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Nagasaka Yasumasa, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, stated that: “The aircraft industry is facing extreme difficulties due to the impacts caused by the novel coronavirus disease. Still, the industry is anticipated to sustainably grow from a mid-to-long term perspective and its position as an important industry having great ripple effects to other industries remains the same. Accordingly, parties concerned in the public and private sectors should unite all efforts to overcome the current difficulties in the industry.” Ms. Mihara Junko, State Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, stated that: “The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) will strive to make full efforts for taking necessary actions to protect employment and encourage workers to exercise their abilities in collaboration with METI’s efforts and other industrial measures.”
METI explained its efforts for: supporting companies in fund raising and match making of human resources as well as in business restructuring as an initiative included in the economic measures compiled at the end of 2020, while the MHLW explained such efforts as special treatments involving the program for the employment adjustment subsidies.
A participating company shared information on the current state of “medium- and small-scale suppliers facing very serious difficulties” in the industry, while the Society of Japanese Aerospace Companies explained its policies that: “As efforts for supporting medium- and small-scale suppliers, it will advance voluntary-based efforts called “Wing Support Actions” in which it introduces to suppliers companies which will accept assigned employees from them. It also encourages member companies to shift their suppliers from overseas to domestic, medium- and small-scale ones.”
Participating municipalities and related organizations explained their measures for supporting the aircraft industry and policies for their future actions.
Finally, participants confirmed a policy that the government, companies, municipalities and related organizations should collaborate and support supply chains of the aircraft industry, including SMEs.
