Kunio Fujie

Dr., Executive Managing Director, General Manager, R&D Div., Shin Meiwa Industry Co., Ltd.

I, as one of those related to the mechatronics industry, wish to extend my heartfelt congratulations on the opportune foundation of "Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics" in English, with editorial staff members being internationally noted persons in the branch of mechatronics in Japan.

Editorial staff members having been appointed from the worldwide standpoint comprehensively over industrial circles, official world and academic societies, this journal is expected to be a precious information periodical quite different from other journals issued by several academic societies. As an advanced country of worldwide fame in research and development of products of mechatronics represented by robots, Japan is requested to make henceforth an increasingly important international contribution through its original technology of mechatronics by presenting to the world not only the research results in the branch of mechatronics but also developed products. In this respect, publication of this kind of journal is also deemed very significant.

The industries henceforth will depend upon further progress in mechatronics in the course of building up certain production systems to cope with the social trend of diversification, with productivity improvement by means of flexible automation lines as the accompanying important subject, thus leading ultimately to construction of robot-operating unmanned factories as well as development of intelligence-oriented equipment including robots. Further, research and development of mechatronics-related technology being the pivotal technology for the secondary as well as tertiary industries, it is a supreme problem for Japan for the continuing development of its industries for the future to continue to step further as an internationally advanced country, with mechatronics as the core technology of its industries. It is expected accordingly that this journal will play a role to function as a common stage of activities so that researchers as well as ~ngineers belonging to the branch of mecha,tronics may act as international leaders by working together in a friendly rivalry through exchange of information across the border existing between universities and enterprises. Further, for the sake of obtaining high appraisal of this journal from those researchers and engineers in the world interested in mechatronics, I hope that the editors responsible may make the utmost effort towards the idea of social contribution, the especial requirements being originality and enthusiasm, coupled with high principles.

In conclusion, I wish that this journal will continue long with success.