Lean Japan Tour – November 2023 – Shinka Management Kaizen Study Mission
The November 2023 Lean Japan Tour will be held on Sunday 12th through to Saturday 18th November. The kaizen study mission will include lean seminars, practical kaizen training and visits to factories for meetings with senior management.
Location: Tokyo, Japan
For further details of the tour and to read about past kaizen and kaikaku visits see our Lean Japan Tour page.
Contact us to express your interest in participating or download the registration form to sign up now.
The November 2023 Lean Japan Tour is a kaizen study mission targeted at English-speaking professionals from across the globe.
Example Itinerary (subject to change)
Sunday: Arrive Tokyo
- Tokyo sightseeing / free time
- Orientation & Japanese business etiquette seminar
Monday: Nagoya – Site Visits & Training
- Lean implementation in Japan seminar
- Metal One Isuzu plant visit
Tuesday: Nagoya – Site Visits & Training
- Toyota Production System seminar
- Toyota Body Seiko visit
Wednesday: Nagoya – Practical Training
- Lean leadership seminar
- Toyota final assembly plant tour
- Sightseeing to local castle
Thursday: Nagoya – Site Visits
- Hands-on kanban simulation and kaizen activity
- Suzaki Industries factory tour (Toyota supplier)
Friday: Nagoya – Site Visit & Debriefing
- Site visit or Toyota Commemorative Museum
- Final seminar and tour debrief session
Saturday: Tokyo – Recovery and Sightseeing
- Sightseeing in Tokyo to Asakusa and Ginza
- Departure from Tokyo
Learn more about our Kaizen study missions
The Lean Japan Tour program is Shinka Management’s flagship development program for lean practitioners. For further detail about our kaizen study missions, see the Lean Japan Tour page, or view our past participants’ Lean Mission Testimonials.

What our lean study mission participants have said…
Had the pleasure to accompany Ben and clients on the 2007 Lean Japan Tour. I had worked with many Japanese, ASEAN, UK and US firms and as such have participated in benchmarking assignments and tours of their operations. Some involved attending and presenting at various strategy, productivity and quality management conferences. In that context, I…
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The Lean Japan tour is an experience that has to be lived, because words are not enough to describe it. With excellent logistics and shared experiences, the Lean Japan Tour allowed us to experience the Toyota Production System beyond just the industrial realm. Thanks to the entire Shinka Management team for making this great experience…
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This tour was recommended to me by our VP Operations who undertook the tour the previous year. Both Ben and Paul provided an excellent tour of the Japanese manufacturing industry and the program was both well run and highly focused towards the practical implementation of lean strategies. There were plenty of opportunities to ask questions…
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The TPS methodologies and learnings were exceptional. Shinka management ensured the tour was clearly defined. The teachings from expert senseis were effective, and they shared their knowledge and experience of the kaizen and 5S models. A must attend tour for people who are seeking improvements in business and culture. Thank you Shinka management!
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I have thoroughly enjoyed the lean tour to Japan. Not only have I learned lots of new concepts that I’m keen to implement in our business, but I also loved the cultural experiences and insight into the people of Japan. The tour organizers bent over backward to make us feel welcome and anticipate our every…
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Contact us about a Lean Japan Tour
Speak to us about our tours.