Omron Kyoto Taiyo – Factory Tour
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 such as sockets, timers and photoelectric sensors. The company is at the forefront of diversity as a majority of their employees have a disability.

Corporate Information
- Company: Omron Kyoto Taiyo
- Foundation: 1986
- Location: Kyoto Prefecture
- Main Business: Manufacturing of electrical components

Omron Kyoto Taiyo – Lean Characteristics
Kaizen, 5S
Omron Kyoto Taiyo is a highly competitive company producing high-quality electrical control devices and components despite the fact that a majority of their employees have a disability with different levels of physical abilities and skills. Rather than treating this characteristic of their workforce as an excuse for not applying kaizen, they actually use kaizen as a means to achieve a safe and comfortable work environment for their employees whilst pursuing outstanding levels of quality and efficiency.
At the Omron Kyoto Taiyo factory, production lines are tailored with the use of jigs, helping devices and tools to meet the needs of individual workers according to the characteristics of their disability so that they can work without any loss of productivity. All the necessary modifications and devices have been made in-house by technicians who themselves are not able-bodied.
The company also recognizes the importance of identifying and developing individual’s skills to improve their production capacity. Managers measure workers’ knowledge, skill level and work speed to produce a human resource map and identify the gap between their abilities and the skills required for production lines. Managers take the gap into account when assigning workers to each task to make the best use of their individual capabilities. When it is impossible for the gap to be closed, helping devices are introduced to compensate the need for the skill.
The company has a unique and innovative approach for 5S where all workers can be involved to keep their shop floor tidy and organized.
Learn from a company that aspires to make the most of its diversity where everyone’s ability and potential are fulfilled with creative solutions.


The whole experience of the lean tour was excellent. I learned so much over the past week and all of my previous knowledge of lean was reinforced. Not only did I learn about lean management but I was also impressed with the Japanese culture. The whole team at Shinka Management were very helpful and made…
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A very intensive and learning Lean Japan Study tour. Alternating with company tours, training session and feeling the Japanese culture. Experiencing the TPS live generated many new inputs and ideas for me. I can recommend it to anyone interested in Lean / Kaizen, but also to experts. It shows what culture is behind it and…
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From a remote rural engineering company – to the shining lights of Japan’s finest. I have returned overwhelmed from the experience to learn from some of the worlds best manufacturers and absorb decades of experience from my fellow peers. Highly recommended and treat it as a sound investment for your company’s future!
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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…
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Paul, I just wanted to reach out and give my sincere thanks for an amazing week in Japan. You and your team of experts across all areas of business and language gave me an unforgettable experience and reminded me of so many aspects of lean that I had put to one side or taken for…
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I enjoyed every aspect of this extremely well organised kaizen tour including: factory visits, translations by Paul and Ben, 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 as…
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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.
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