[Correspondent's Column] 'Industrial DNA' Shines Brighter in Times of Crisis

Dozens of elementary school students, wearing blue hats for their commute, roamed the halls of the memorial in groups. With sparkling eyes, they observed the process of spinning thread from cotton and watched as warp and weft intertwined on the loom to create fabric, busily jotting down notes on their worksheets. Their movements, as if exploring the world of industry through a scientist’s lens, offered a glimpse into how Japan, the so-called 'nation of automobiles,' was built.
Last Friday morning, I visited the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture. More than just an exhibition space, it serves as an educational site where visitors can experience and learn about the roots of Japanese industry. Attracting 1.4 million visitors annually, the museum was bustling with groups of elementary students, Japanese locals, and foreigners alike. Kazuhiko Ohora, director of the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology, smiled and remarked, "This year, we are likely to see a record number of visitors."
Established on the site of the Toyoda Automatic Loom Works in 1926, the museum symbolically showcases the history and philosophy of Japanese manufacturing. The exhibits vividly illustrate how the textile industry, Japan’s main sector before World War II, evolved into automotive manufacturing technology. The museum quietly testifies to how a small innovation, starting from a single loom, became the foundation of a global automotive empire.
What especially caught my attention was the explanation that the museum runs educational programs linked to the fifth-grade curriculum’s 'Automotive Manufacturing' unit in Japanese elementary schools. Over three to four hours, students participate in guided tours, set research topics, explore facilities, engage in thematic investigations, and present their findings. They receive worksheets, pre- and post-visit materials, and explanatory videos about the exhibits. In the hands-on zone, students can experience the principles and mechanisms behind textile and automotive machinery in a playful way.
The spirit of Monozukuri—an artisan mindset and manufacturing culture devoted to creating the best products—so highly valued by the Toyota Group, permeates both the space and its educational programs.
As I left the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology that day, the phrase 'industrial DNA' came to mind. An environment where children become familiar with industrial technology from a young age seems to be the secret behind the deep-rooted competitiveness of Japanese manufacturing. In fact, it is said that many new employees at the Toyota Group mention at their welcome ceremony that their passion for Monozukuri was sparked by a childhood visit to the museum.
This 'industrial DNA' shines even brighter in times of crisis. This is especially true amid the current tariff wars led by the Trump administration in the United States. Research shows that companies with deeply embedded industrial capabilities achieve significantly higher performance in technological advancement and catching up with leading firms.
Japan’s example poses a profound question for us: What kind of industrial dreams are we instilling in our children?
In Korea, similar efforts are being made under the names 'Maker Education' and 'Industrial Field Experience Learning,' but these often remain one-off experiences. While textbooks are rich in knowledge, opportunities to physically internalize industrial logic are lacking. Industrial DNA is not merely about production volume; it is confirmed in the cultural and educational foundations where technology and skills are passed down through generations. A resilient industrial structure is formed when talent development and the industrial ecosystem work in tandem.
Japanese companies’ proactive investments in automation, robotics, and leadership in materials, parts, and equipment in response to the Trump administration’s tariff wars are closely linked to this background. What shines brightest in a crisis is not short-term gains, but a culture that connects one generation to the next.
For Korea to truly become a manufacturing powerhouse, industry must be brought outside the classroom and made tangible for children. Just as the industrial DNA that began with Toyota’s loom laid the foundation for Japan, it is time for us to cultivate a cultural soil that passes on the 'power to create' to the next generation.
sjmary@fnnews.com Reporter