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Inauguration of “Machine Day” and
“Machine Week”
Since the dawn of time, humans have created and skilfully used
various tools and machines to improve the quality of their lives. The
remarkable development and spread of machines, particularly since the
Industrial Revolution in the 18th century, supported industry,
prevented accidents, supplied goods to people, and prolonged lives. In
response to society’s request, technologies have consistently
contributed to the progress of civilization and culture. The concept of
machines itself has broadened to encompass even those that work in
conjunction with new information media such as networks. However, in
spite of many people’s good intentions to return the value created by
technology to society, difficult problems of global scale such as the
depletion of natural resources and climate changes have arisen.
In the 21st century, it will not be possible for all of us to envisage
our future in the same way as in the previous century. Since science
and technology should have a profound impact on society, engineers have
an even greater responsibility than before. On the global level, we
must tackle environmental problems and resource depletion, while at the
individual level, we must guarantee an affluent life, welfare, ethics
and dignity. To achieve this, in the new century we must restructure
our society into a sustainable system which can coexist with the earth,
while ensuring a healthy, convenient, and secure life for people with
diverse values. It is the mission of engineers to help improve people’s
lives by creating and using new knowledge.
The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, which is a group of
professional mechanical engineers and researchers who recognize the
above mission and roles, strives to establish a suitable relationship
between humans and mechanical systems. Japan aims to become a leader in
science and technology and make significant contributions to the
international society. Toward this end, we need to develop core
mechanical technologies to create new values and manufacturing.
With this background, the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, in
collaboration with other associations and groups, has decided to
designate a national commemoration day to raise awareness of how
mechanical engineering and technology can improve society and industry,
as well as highlight the important role of mechanical engineers. We
will use this opportunity to stimulate the younger generation’s
interest in majoring in science and technology, to train the engineers
of tomorrow including women, and to promote international technological
and academic exchanges.
Machine has a long history, and the Tanabata Star Festival in Japan is
closely related to machine. Tanabata originates from an old Chinese
Star Festival called “Kikkouden,” in which people wished to be skilled
craftsmen. The festival was introduced to Japan in the Nara era. The
reading of the Star Festival in Japanese, “Tanabata,” is thought to
originate from the Japanese word for “loom,” which was a machine used
to weave clothes dedicated to gods on the Festival Day. In
consideration of this origin and history, we declare August 7th, which
falls one month after the old Star Festival, to be “Machine Day,” and
the week from August 1st to 7th to be “Machine Week.”
Nobuhide Kasagi
The 84th President
The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
August 7, 2006
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