Kibonosato Honda Co., Ltd., which was established as a joint public-private venture by Kumamoto Prefecture, Matsubase (now Uki City) in 1985 to employ large numbers of individuals with serious disabilities, celebrated the 25th anniversary of its founding in 2010.

Since its founding, the company has worked to pursue normalization*1 so that disabled and able-bodied alike, can work together on an equal footing, free of discrimination. Equipment is improved to allow associates the ability to perform a wide-range of jobs in the plant, such as innovations to the automatic assembly line for piston rings to allow a single employee in a wheelchair to handle all the processes of assembly. We promote self-independence by actively providing opportunities to take on the challenge of new jobs regardless of disabilities so that employees can enjoy independent job satisfaction and receive social recognition.

As much as it helps associates achieve personal autonomy, Kibonosato Honda Co., Ltd., consistently exerts itself to become more competitive while doing our best to meet the stringent requirements imposed by our parent company, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. to exist independently as a compelling company Regarding Honda’s QCD* standards, we are particularly aware of the need to ensure product quality in our operations. The same quality is required regardless of whether a part is manufactured by an able-bodied or disabled employee, so we align employee “vectors” by defining ambitious objectives that apply to all. Going forward, Kibonosato Honda must go beyond employment of disabled individuals to broaden the scope of individual associates’ work so that eventually workers can manufacture not only parts, but Kibonosato Honda’s own products. Our commitment to achieving this dream derives from the fact that doing so will increase employees’ job satisfaction, their sense of responsibility, and their motivation.

*1 Normalization refers to the creation of a state of affairs in which disabled individuals live and work alongside their able-bodied counterparts.
*2 Service and support requirements in the areas of quality, cost, and delivery.

“Of some 5 million parts Kibonosato Honda Co., Ltd., ships each year, most involve small-lot, multi-item production and are not suited to machinery-based automated mass production.” Hiroaki Matsuyama, who oversees quality control at the company, says, “To achieve consistently high levels of quality under these conditions, we are working toward the ultimate goal—zero defects—by raising associate awareness and creating the right kind of workplace environment.”

Associate education and daily communication are key in order to manufacture high-quality products on a consistent basis. At Kibonosato Honda, an experienced coworker with responsibility for the type of work being performed provides guidance for new associates, regardless of whether they are disabled. That guidance is the first time for new associates to experience the meaning of normalization. This experience also encourages growth on the part of the more experienced coworkers by giving them work that requires a sense of responsibility.

Kosei Matsunaga, who oversees production at Kibonosato Honda, says, “I’ve been able to understand my coworkers because I’ve worked actively to communicate, for example by asking questions, and it’s thanks to their support that I’ve been able to do my job for the last 25 years. I now look forward to coming to work and seeing everyone.” The company will continue to evolve as a place where truly independent associates can work with pride and joy.