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.
Taipei, Taiwan
Shinka Management staff were professional from interpretation, to detailed trip arrangements, to leading the factory tour and catalyzing the thinking and discussion.
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Irvine, California, United States
I attended Shinka Management’s Lean Japan Tour and it was an incredible experience. The content was highly informative and practical, offering deep insights into lean culture and principles and their real-world applications. The organisation of the program was excellent, ensuring a seamless and engaging learning experience. I’d highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to…
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Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
The program was well organised and structured. The whole Shinka team were amazing and very accommodating. To be honest I was not certain that lean was the right fit for our business. But the refresher in Japan has opened up my eyes as to how it can be practically applied. The lean tour has prompted…
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Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
I had a great experience with Shinka Management on the Lean Japan Tour. The program was very well planned in terms of timing, tour structure, and site visits. The team demonstrated a high level of professionalism in organising and delivering the tour. I would highly recommend Shinka for anyone considering a Lean Japan Tour.
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Kaiserslautern, Germany
The Lean Japan Tour was an educational and exciting experience. The Shinka Management team with its impeccable all-round service ensured that the head and heart were free and open the whole time to be able to collect the many impressions. The factory tours, in connection with getting to know the country and culture, have expanded…
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Kalgoorlie, WA, Australia
This tour was very well thought out—a busy, fast-paced week that provided a strong range of learning and practical application of the Toyota Production System. The program was thoughtfully structured to apply knowledge gained directly into the factory visits, while also offering valuable insight into Japanese business and culture. I absolutely loved the experience. Thank…
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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.