Fundokin Shoyu – Factory Tour
Fundokin Shoyu is a well-esteemed Japanese food manufacturer based in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu that produces high quality soy sauce, miso (fermented soybean paste) and salad dressing. The company operates three factories all in Oita.
Corporate Information
- Company: Fundokin Shoyu
- Foundation: 1861
- Location: Oita Prefecture
- Main Business: Manufacturing of soy sauce, miso and salad dressing
Fundokin Shoyu – Lean Characteristics
5S, Minimal Inventory, Just-In-Time Approach
Nestled in amongst the small rural city of Usuki is a food company operating at the forefront of manufacturing excellence in their industry. Founded in 1861, Fundokin Shoyu produces a range of miso paste, salad dressing and soy sauce products that not only taste exquisite, but carry with them a high brand value that is impressively marketed across Japan from this small city on the coast of Oita Prefecture.
Our tour captures the charm and history of this company by incorporating shop floor tours of its soy sauce, miso and salad dressing manufacturing plants. As these products are perishable in a highly competitive market, the volume of finished goods is kept to an absolute minimum through a just-in-time approach.
The level of standardization that has been achieved through its 5S activities must be seen to be believed. The salad dressing plant is a stand-out in this regard with 5S applied to every corner of the building.
Their continual commitment to waste elimination doesn’t stop in the factory either. It also extends to their office processes and environment.
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
I enjoyed every aspect of this extremely well organised kaizen tour including: factory visits, translations by Paul and the team, TPS training, sightseeing, accommodation, transportation, and meals. This tour is a must for anyone trying to understand / implement LEAN into their business or organisation. I hope the tour continues for many years to come…
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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
The tour was a terrific experience shared with exceptional individuals. I was able to further my knowledge in lean manufacturing and hone my skills. I learned new ways to reduce waste and improve the working environment within industrial projects.
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Shanghai, China
I wholeheartedly recommend the Japan Lean Tour. The program is exceptionally well-organized, combining rigorous classroom training with hands-on practice on real factory floors, and factory visits that progress smartly from service centers through Tier 3 to Tier 2 manufacturing — offering a full picture of lean excellence across the value chain. Cultural experiences like the…
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Bethesda, Maryland, United States
Shinka Management organized an excellent tour. It was structured to capture professional development and cultural experience. The tour also provided me with experiences related not only to the local culture and food of Japan, but also to the culture and languages of fellow participants from all over the world. This tour has made a significant…
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Kassel, Germany
My expectations for the tour were exceptionally high, but the Shinka Management team exceeded them all. The opportunity to engage with a sensei who possesses decades of experience in the Toyota Production System (TPS) was invaluable. The factory tours, coupled with discussions with managing directors and plant managers, offered profound insights into the organizational culture,…
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Manila, Philippines
The tour was highly professional. The food and hotels were excellent, and the best part was the learning experience. We had hands-on exposure to kanban, and seeing Lean and Kaizen in action during the factory visits was extremely informative. The Q&A sessions provided us with deeper insights into the thinking of each management team we…
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The Shinka Management Lean Japan Tour is a professional development program run several times annually. The program includes a mix of lean and kaizen seminars, hands-on lean training and visits to several benchmark lean companies. For further information and program dates, see the lean tour overview page.
Tour Inquiries
Interested in joining us in Japan? For additional information prior to registration please fill in the form provided or contact us.