Productivity per industrial worker rose by 4.2% last year, which supports the idea that increased investment is paying off.

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The industrial revolution placed a premium on worker efficiency and productivity and those who were able to successfully overcome the deficiency of their machines.

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Yoshiyuki Nagashima, named an "Outstanding Skilled Worker" last year, makes grinders for industrial machine tools.

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For instance, at an annual rate, aggregate production-worker hours increased by 2.2 percent and industrial production rose by 1.0 percent.

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Plans included modernizing equipment, increasing the number of fire stations in industrial areas and overhauling fire- and building-safety laws and regulations, inspections and worker training.

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