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How did Japan’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry improve Japanese industrial design after World War II?

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octagonal electric teakettle — Industrial design Octagonal electric teakettle of hammered silver, with cane-wicker handle, designed by Peter Behrens for AEG (Allgemeine Elektricitäts Gesellschaft), Berlin, c. 1909.

After World War II, Japan’s Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) played a pivotal role in transforming the nation's industrial design, moving it away from its early postwar reputation for producing cheap imitations of Western goods.1

MITI implemented several key strategies to upgrade the quality and competitiveness of Japanese products:

International Study Programs: MITI sent Japanese industrial designers abroad to study at prestigious institutions, such as the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. This initiative helped foster professional expertise and integrate global design standards into the Japanese manufacturing sector.1
Good Design Awards (G-Marks): In 1957, MITI established the Good Design Selection System, now known as the G-Mark awards. This annual juried competition evaluates consumer products based on aesthetics, safety, function, value, and post-sales service. By incentivizing high-quality design, the system encouraged manufacturers to prioritize excellence and innovation.1

These measures were instrumental in helping Japan evolve into a global leader in the export of automobiles and home electronics by the 1980s.1