The Shinka Management lean tour program is on hold through to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shinka Management looks forward to welcoming clients on Lean Japan Tours from the second half of 2022. Registrations are currently open.
Whether you are new to the concept of lean, or searching for that next level of achievement, you will return home with a better understanding of how lean can be successfully implemented and sustained within your organization.
The Lean Japan Tour is run by Shinka Management. Our first lean tour was first run in 2007, and the program has since been attended by senior management and lean leaders from over 60 countries. Positions are limited to 20 participants per lean tour and registrations are accepted on a first-come first-served basis.
Fee: US$6,750
Includes accommodation, meals and drinks, train and coach transfers, airport meet & greet, company tours, seminars, hands-on training, sightseeing, interpreters. Does not include airfare, travel insurance and meals on two free evenings and Saturday lunch.
Example industries visited: Automotive, Appliances, Metal Processing, Electronics, Food & Beverage, Government, Healthcare
Businesses need every weapon at their disposal to help compete in a global market. This tour opens up more ideas and opportunities and is highly recommended to manufacturers, engineering or service related industries. Everyone can learn something on this tour! Paul and Ben have done a marvelous job of putting together an action-packed week, which…
read more
Wow. What a great experience not just from a learning perspective but also a great cultural experience as well. From the start the group came together really well. It was a perfect mix of practical and theory, and to gain an insight into the Toyota Production System and see it in action at all the…
read more
During the Lean Japan Tour I came to the realization that improving an organization is not through large capital investments alone. We were completely surrounded by examples of minor investments into small improvements that produced significant savings. The clever use of visual management techniques gave a clear understanding of the current situation and Ben who…
read more
I was a part of the November 2013 Lean Japan Tour and would highly recommend it for anyone who is serious about Lean Manufacturing. Ben and Paul are well organised and have put together a great tour. The tour is very enjoyable and a great insight into Lean manufacturing. I have come back with a…
read more
The tour has given me the opportunity to understand in a practical way what I learned theoretically. I have checked that the theory is possible to put in practice. This has been the first time that I have felt the lean manufacturing philosophy first hand. Congratulations to the Shinka Team. The organisation has been perfect…
read more
I personally believe that understanding of Lean as the holistic concept and Lean instruments is necessary for all the managers in any business. Shinka Management introduced for us the origins of Lean Production and provided a great opportunity to observe real companies where TPS principles are both implemented and being polished daily. Important parts of…
read more
The Lean Japan Tour will broaden your thinking and build your knowledge of lean management principles. You’ll experience lean implementation, kaizen and kaikaku philosophies in some of Japan’s top companies, and develop the understanding necessary to implement these within your organization.
Shinka Management specializes in lean consulting and has been running lean study missions to Japan since 2007. The lean manufacturing tour includes an intensive week of factory visits, senior management discussions, training in a Toyota Group lean training facility and Japanese cultural experiences. We look after you from the moment you touch-down in Nagoya, providing train transfers and private bus transport, first-class accommodation and meals, cultural guidance and interpreting services.
You’ll enjoy this experience of a lifetime, and return home energized and ready to help your company take its next step in its lean journey.
The Lean Japan Tour is a customized guided tour to visit world class lean organizations in Japan. This is an opportunity to explore the factory premises, observe the processes, communicate with lean practitioners and learn from the experts in lean manufacturing. The lean tour comprises a combination of seminars, hands-on training experiences, management discussions and site visits, that have been tailored to develop your lean awareness and capability, and to help you solve your operational challenges.
Move beyond theory and experience lean manufacturing in action. Discuss managers’ experiences and learn how to implement a lean culture and use of the following lean tools within your organisation.
Enjoy a journey like no other as you immerse yourself in an exhilarating mix of cultural experiences. Visiting Japan is a unique and enriching experience, and you’ll have plenty of time to take in the food and culture and explore some of Japan’s most amazing urban landscapes.
Day One of the Lean Japan Tour typically includes training on Japanese business etiquette and culture to ensure participants make the most of their week interacting with local industry leaders and experiencing this truly wonderful country.
Shinka Management has an extensive network of world-leading Japanese lean companies. Since 2007 our tours have visited lean companies in a range of industries for facility tours and discussions with senior management.
Toyota Motor Corporation is a leading Japanese car manufacturer, and the home of the Toyota Production System (TPS), a world-famous lean management philosophy founded on the two key pillars of Jidoka and Just-In-Time.
Toyota Boshoku operates around the globe and they are a major tier-one supplier to the Toyota Group. The Kyushu company produces seats, door trims and engine components exclusively for Lexus models manufactured by Toyota Motor Kyushu.
Toyota Body Seiko, a subsidiary of Toyota Auto Body, is an integrated automotive parts manufacturer that develops, designs and manufactures auto seat parts, frames and pressed components. The company is a first-tier supplier to the Toyota Group.
Nissan Motor Kyushu is one of five manufacturing sites across Japan producing finished vehicles for Nissan. The company started its operation in 1975 as the first car manufacturing company in Kyushu and is located on the coast of Suo Sea in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Subaru Corporation is one of Japan’s globally renowned car manufacturers. Aside from the automotive manufacturing business, they also have an aerospace business and manufacture aircraft and structural components.
Toyota Motor Kyushu primarily produces Lexus-branded vehicles including the environmentally-friendly hybrid models for both the domestic and export markets around the globe. The company operates three plants all in Fukuoka Prefecture.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Tokyo. The company is part of the Mitsubishi Group companies that include multinational companies in various industries.
Osaka City University Hospital is one of the largest general hospitals in Japan with 32 medical departments. It is designated as an Advanced Treatment Hospital by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan.
Takatsuki General Hospital is one of the leading hospitals in Japan particularly in the area of paediatrics and neonatal intensive care. The hospital is in Takatsuki City, Osaka and serves as a prominent acute care hospital for the region.
Aijinkai Rehabilitation Hospital is a hospital affiliated with the Aijinkai Healthcare Corporation. The hospital provides high-level rehabilitation services supported by their cross-functional team with high-tech equipment.
JTEKT Corporation is a major supplier of steering systems in the automotive sector, and a manufacturer of bearings and machine tools for a variety of sectors including steel, railway, aerospace, construction and machinery.
Gifu Auto Body is one of the 13 Toyota final assembly plants in Japan and consistently receives the Toyota award for quality within the group. Their major product is the Toyota HiAce vehicle but they also started manufacturing the Toyota Coaster bus in 2017.
Isuzu Corporation is a trading company within Metal One Corporation specializing in the steel industry. The Steel Service Division of the company processes and supplies cold rolled steel to various industries, via a network of nine regional service centers.
Omron Kyoto Taiyo is an electrical component manufacturer that was formed as a joint venture between Omron and the social welfare service corporation Japan Sun Industries. The company produces high-quality electrical components used for industrial equipment.
TOTO manufactures and markets ceramic bathroom ware including toilet basins, sinks, bathtubs, fittings and the famous Japanese toilet seats. TOTO Sanitechno is one of the TOTO Group companies with four production bases in Japan.
Sekisui Heim is a renowned and trusted housing brand in Japan that is owned by Sekisui Chemical Group. As a member of the Sekisui Chemical group, Sekisui Heim Chubu produces high-quality prefabricated steel frame and wooden modular houses.
Yamaha is synonymous around the world for manufacturing quality musical instruments. The company has established a system to efficiently manufacture and supply products globally. It now has its production and sales bases over 30 countries and regions.
Panasonic Eco Technology Center was founded in 2000 with the aim to recover and recycle resources from end-of-life home appliances. The center promotes recycling-oriented manufacturing under the slogan of “product-to-product”.
Suzaki Industries is a SME that produces pressed, welded and assembled components for the automotive industry. The company supplies components for many of the major Japanese automotive groups, including Toyota and Honda.
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.
Chuo Malleable Iron is a cast iron and aluminum component manufacturer. The company mainly supplies to the automobile and electric industries and their major trading partners include Toyota Group companies such as Toyota Motor Corporation.
Kewpie Corporation is a Japanese packaged food manufacturer. It is well known for its popular brand of mayonnaise product with a distinctive Kewpie baby doll logo. The company operates eight plants in Japan and has several production bases overseas.
Oita City is the capital city of Oita Prefecture and is located on Japan’s southern island of Kyushu. The city is regarded as one of the leading municipalities in Japan with a successful lean program to achieve office and service work improvement and efficiency.
Hamamatsu City is located on the western side of Shizuoka Prefecture. The city is home to some of the world’s leading companies such as Honda and is recognised as one of the leading governments in Japan with a successful lean program.
Taikoh Transportation is a Toyota Group logistics company that delivers products to Toyota and other automakers. The company is the first company that established a procurement logistics system based on the Toyota Production System in Japan.
Shinka Management also runs private customized kaizen study tours and Japan study missions for companies and universities, as well as three, four or five-day kaizen training programs at a Toyota Group lean training facility and associated factories in Japan. Contact us to discuss customizing a lean professional development program for your organization, or learn more about our lean training courses.
Further feedback from our lean tour alumni can be viewed on the lean mission testimonials page.
One of the best weeks of my life. It has changed the way I see my production facility forever!
read more
I attended the Shinka Management / Ai Group / JMAC Lean Japan Study Tour in 2010 – outstanding, highly recommended. (I don’t have this much fun when I go on holiday.) To see the cultural home of Lean Manufacturing is an experience you will never forget. Ride on a bullet train, walk the factory floor in Toyota plants and talk to the production people, see modular housing being produced on a Lean Production line. Eat in a different Japanese restaurant every night, practice your Karaoke, see Tokyo – amazing! Our tour was guided by Ben Sparrow, an Aussie who is fluent in Japanese and great company (night and day). The Japan Lean Manufacturing tour is a “must do” for anyone serious about understanding world class manufacturing!
read more
I would highly recommend the tour to anyone who is in the business of improving people. The ideas stimulated through this tour have helped me reform our entire vision of what improvement means for our business.
read more
The one week Lean Japan Tour not only validates ‘how lean can make business sense’ but also provides the opportunity to learn and share with professionals across different industries.
read more
If you have embarked on a lean journey The Lean Study Tour should be on your bucket list!
It was inspiring to see the Toyota Production System in action as a management system, as well as the small improvements made day in and day out by dedicated and motivated teams all striving to continuously improve. Paul, Ben, Tony and Juan (tour leaders) did an outstanding Job of guiding us through Japan, and highlighting where TPS is improving society as well as manufacturing. Their subtle lines of questioning and coaching combined with observing TPS in action and the instruction of Japanese Sensei inspired tour participants on how they can effect change.
Every detail from transport to meals and accommodation were professionally managed and executed. Practical learning environments such as the Toyota group training center consolidated class room learning with hands on experimentation which lead to real “ah ha” moments with many tour participants.
This tour was an extremely rewarding and enjoyable learning experience. I highly recommend the Lean Study Tour.
read more
Paul and Ben from Shinka Management need to be commended for the tour that they ran in Japan. The experience has enlightened and energised me to intensify the lean efforts within our organisation. The tour was packed full of knowledge building as well as relationship building with other participants all whilst experiencing a cultural treat that normally only a local would be able to show you. Thank you for a once in a lifetime trip Shinka – I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone in business.
read more
Interested in joining us in Japan for a lean tour? For additional information prior to registration please fill in the form provided or contact us.
