Towards a Society Where Human-Involved Manufacturing is Re-evaluated – Creating Next-Generation Manufacturing Through a "Technology EC" Connecting 1,000 Companies
Marubishi Seisakusho operates "ASNARO," a technology EC site, aiming for a society where the value of human-involved manufacturing is re-evaluated. In response to Japan's manufacturing labor shortage and automation, it facilitates the distribution of small factories' technologies as "products," creating new trade flows through a platform with 1,000 participating companies.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 10:15
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 13:29 (483h 13m after Collected)
We endorse April Dream, which aims to make April 1st a day for announcing dreams. This press release is a 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, based on 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, as the working population decreases, a serious shortage of skilled workers is progressing due to an imbalance in supply and demand starting in 2025.
On the other hand, with the evolution of AI, automation, and robots, many tasks are expected to be replaced.
However, we believe that precisely because of these times, **the value of areas involving human intervention will actually increase**.
## ■ The Value of Small Factories Lies Precisely in Areas That Cannot Be Automated
Fabrication of large structures, high-mix low-volume production, and work requiring different adjustments for each site. These are areas that cannot be handled by simple automation.
Marubishi Seisakusho and ASNARO 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, and not scalable.
## ■ Transforming Technology into "Products" and Opening Up Distribution 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 business partners as in the past, by creating a state where anyone can access technology, we will realize:
Fair price formation for technology, utilization of idle resources, and connection to new work.
## ■ With 1,000 Companies Participating, the Dream Has Begun to Turn into Reality
## ■ 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, based on 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, as the working population decreases, a serious shortage of skilled workers is progressing due to an imbalance in supply and demand starting in 2025.
On the other hand, with the evolution of AI, automation, and robots, many tasks are expected to be replaced.
However, we believe that precisely because of these times, **the value of areas involving human intervention will actually increase**.
## ■ The Value of Small Factories Lies Precisely in Areas That Cannot Be Automated
Fabrication of large structures, high-mix low-volume production, and work requiring different adjustments for each site. These are areas that cannot be handled by simple automation.
Marubishi Seisakusho and ASNARO 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, and not scalable.
## ■ Transforming Technology into "Products" and Opening Up Distribution 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 business partners as in the past, by creating a state where anyone can access technology, we will realize:
Fair price formation for technology, utilization of idle resources, and connection to new work.
## ■ With 1,000 Companies Participating, the Dream Has Begun to Turn into Reality