The Japan Federation of Printing Industries (JFPI) was founded in 1985 by 10 printing industry associations who joined together with the purpose of contributing to the further development of the industry and the improvement of our cultural life. To this day, we have continued steadily with our aim of strengthening and developing the organization of the industry while responding to various changes in the business environment due to development of technological innovation and industry structure, with the guidance of the related ministries and support from the related industries such as paper manufacturing, ink production, machinery and prepress.
We will see further big changes in the environment the printing industry operates in as we enter the 21st century. The growth of digitalization and the networked environment has influenced the lifestyle of people and prompted the printing industry to find a new position in the time of multimedia. Also, the printing industry that used to be one of the standard domestic industries is required to respond to globalization.
The future shape of the printing industry we aim for has an extremely wide range of options. On the basis of the printing business as a cultural industry built up since the age of Gutenberg, while being an industry creating value from information, responsive to a wide range of customer needs such as publishing and promotional support that takes account of the digital and the networked environment and one-to-one business using digital printing, other possibilities we can provide include the application of networking technology in the B-to-C and Cloud Computing business and the use of printing technology in industrial materials, building materials, electronics, and fabric-related industries.
At the same time, it is inevitable that the printing industry, as an urban industry, must co-exist with society. Environmental issues such as prevention of global warming and the realization of a low-carbon society are vital for the development of the Japanese economy from a global point of view. Furthermore, protection of personal data and security technology are a part of the competitiveness of the printing industry. We must respond to these challenges and build the capabilities of the industry.
At the Japan Federation of Printing Industries, centered on the activities of the Standing Committees, Research Working Groups, and Certification Scheme, we are determined to positively work to resolve our most important challenges while promoting businesses responsive to a more sophisticated and information-oriented printing industry.
Furthermore, as our 10-member organizations come together to consolidate our collaborations under the slogan of "Printomorrow—for a better future with print," we would like to further contribute to society as a firm driving force to improve the status of the printing industry and play a role to preserve the quality of information, lifestyle, and culture.
We ask for and would appreciate your tremendous guidance, support, and cooperation in the future.
Naoki Adachi
Chairman, Japan Federation of Printing Industries