Towards a Society Where Human-Involved Manufacturing is Re-evaluated — Creating Next-Generation Manufacturing Through a "Technology EC" Connecting 1,000 Companies
Marubishi Seisakusho aims to redefine the value of human-involved manufacturing and create a future-proof industry through its "ASNARO" technology EC site, connecting 1,000 small factories.
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- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 19:00
We endorse April Dream, a project aiming to make April 1st a day for companies to announce their dreams. This press release represents the dream of Marubishi Seisakusho Co., Ltd.
**■ Re-evaluating the Value of Human-Involved Manufacturing in Society**
Marubishi Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture; Representative Director: Seizo Tomatsu; hereinafter, Marubishi Seisakusho) is developing and operating "ASNARO," a technology EC site for the manufacturing industry, under the vision of "creating a society where human-involved manufacturing is re-evaluated."
Japanese manufacturing is currently at a major turning point.
Not only is the number of small factories decreasing, but labor demand remains unchanged despite population decline. Meanwhile, the shrinking working population is leading to a severe shortage of skilled workers, with the supply-demand balance expected to worsen from 2025.
Conversely, with the evolution of AI, automation, and robots, many tasks are predicted to be replaced.
However, we believe that precisely because of these times, **the value of areas involving human input will actually increase.**
**■ The Value of Small Factories Lies in Areas That Cannot Be Automated**
Fabrication of large structures, high-mix low-volume processing, and jobs requiring different adjustments for each site.
These are areas that cannot be handled by simple automation.
Marubishi Seisakusho and ASNARO's member companies are precisely engaged in **manufacturing that requires human skill and judgment.**
However, until now, these areas have not been sufficiently valued for reasons such as:
* Being highly dependent on individuals
* Difficult to optimize
* Difficult to scale
**■ Transforming Technology into "Products" and Opening Up Commercial Channels**
To change this structure, we launched "ASNARO."
ASNARO is an EC site for the manufacturing industry where small factories can list their own technologies as "products" and conduct direct transactions.
Instead of relying on specific trading partners as in the past, by creating a state where anyone can access technology, we aim to achieve:
* Fair pricing for technology
* Utilization of idle resources
* Connection to new work opportunities
**■ With 1,000 Companies Participating, the Dream Begins to Turn into Reality**
Approximately four years since its launch in 2022, ASNARO has exceeded 1,000 registered companies.
This scale corresponds to about 15% of small factories in the Chubu region, and previously fragmented technologies are gradually beginning to connect.
The "world where technology circulates" that we envisioned is no longer just a concept; it is starting to move as a reality.
**■ People Are Valued, Earn Profits, and Connect to the Next Generation**
Our dream is not merely about efficiency.
It is about creating a cycle where human-involved manufacturing is properly valued, generates profits, and as a result, businesses are passed down to the next generation.
Having aimed to be a "manufacturing industry that people want to inherit" because it was once an industry people didn't want to pass on, we now strive to be a manufacturing industry that people **"want to be a part of."**
Marubishi Seisakusho and ASNARO will redefine the value of human-involved manufacturing and create an industry that connects to the next generation.
**■ Related Information**
ASNARO Official Website: https://asnaro.co.jp/about/
**■ About April Dream**
"April Dream" is a project by PR TIMES where companies announce their dreams for the future on April 1st. We are seriously committed to realizing this dream.
**■ Re-evaluating the Value of Human-Involved Manufacturing in Society**
Marubishi Seisakusho Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kasugai City, Aichi Prefecture; Representative Director: Seizo Tomatsu; hereinafter, Marubishi Seisakusho) is developing and operating "ASNARO," a technology EC site for the manufacturing industry, under the vision of "creating a society where human-involved manufacturing is re-evaluated."
Japanese manufacturing is currently at a major turning point.
Not only is the number of small factories decreasing, but labor demand remains unchanged despite population decline. Meanwhile, the shrinking working population is leading to a severe shortage of skilled workers, with the supply-demand balance expected to worsen from 2025.
Conversely, with the evolution of AI, automation, and robots, many tasks are predicted to be replaced.
However, we believe that precisely because of these times, **the value of areas involving human input will actually increase.**
**■ The Value of Small Factories Lies in Areas That Cannot Be Automated**
Fabrication of large structures, high-mix low-volume processing, and jobs requiring different adjustments for each site.
These are areas that cannot be handled by simple automation.
Marubishi Seisakusho and ASNARO's member companies are precisely engaged in **manufacturing that requires human skill and judgment.**
However, until now, these areas have not been sufficiently valued for reasons such as:
* Being highly dependent on individuals
* Difficult to optimize
* Difficult to scale
**■ Transforming Technology into "Products" and Opening Up Commercial Channels**
To change this structure, we launched "ASNARO."
ASNARO is an EC site for the manufacturing industry where small factories can list their own technologies as "products" and conduct direct transactions.
Instead of relying on specific trading partners as in the past, by creating a state where anyone can access technology, we aim to achieve:
* Fair pricing for technology
* Utilization of idle resources
* Connection to new work opportunities
**■ With 1,000 Companies Participating, the Dream Begins to Turn into Reality**
Approximately four years since its launch in 2022, ASNARO has exceeded 1,000 registered companies.
This scale corresponds to about 15% of small factories in the Chubu region, and previously fragmented technologies are gradually beginning to connect.
The "world where technology circulates" that we envisioned is no longer just a concept; it is starting to move as a reality.
**■ People Are Valued, Earn Profits, and Connect to the Next Generation**
Our dream is not merely about efficiency.
It is about creating a cycle where human-involved manufacturing is properly valued, generates profits, and as a result, businesses are passed down to the next generation.
Having aimed to be a "manufacturing industry that people want to inherit" because it was once an industry people didn't want to pass on, we now strive to be a manufacturing industry that people **"want to be a part of."**
Marubishi Seisakusho and ASNARO will redefine the value of human-involved manufacturing and create an industry that connects to the next generation.
**■ Related Information**
ASNARO Official Website: https://asnaro.co.jp/about/
**■ About April Dream**
"April Dream" is a project by PR TIMES where companies announce their dreams for the future on April 1st. We are seriously committed to realizing this dream.
FAQ
What kind of service is ASNARO?
ASNARO is an e-commerce site for the manufacturing industry where small factories can list their technologies as "products" and conduct direct transactions, specializing in areas difficult to automate.
Why is "human-involved manufacturing" being re-evaluated?
As AI and automation advance, the value of areas requiring human skill and judgment, such as large structure fabrication and high-mix, low-volume production, is believed to be increasing.
What are ASNARO's current achievements?
Approximately four years since its launch in 2022, the number of registered companies has exceeded 1,000, which accounts for about 15% of small factories in the Chubu region.