Osaka City University Hospital – Site Tour
Osaka City University Hospital is one of the largest general hospitals in Japan located in Abeno Ward, Osaka City. It has 32 medical departments and handles more than 2,000 patients a day. The hospital provides state-of-the-art medicine and medical care, and it is designated as an Advanced Treatment Hospital by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in Japan.
Basic Information
- Hospital: Osaka City University Hospital
- Foundation: 1925
- Location: Abeno Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
- Affiliation: Osaka City University
- Number of departments and hospital beds: 32 medical departments with 980 beds
Osaka City University Hospital – Lean Characteristics
TQM, QC Circle, Kaizen
Osaka City University Hospital is one of the largest general hospitals in Japan. It is well-known as a university hospital providing state-of-the-art medicine and medical care.
The hospital’s mission is to ‘provide high quality health care for the people of Osaka’, ‘foster warm-hearted and reliable health professionals’, and ‘always strive to further develop medical care’. The mission is based on the motto of the university’s Faculty of Medicine: ‘Wisdom, Blessing and Bravery’.
In 2008, through the leadership of the Hospital Director, Total Quality Management (TQM) practices were introduced to the hospital, and since that time the hospital has developed a strong internal TQM and lean health care capability, and has been active in regional and national quality improvement networks and events. The hospital has held internal presentation events annually for over a decade, showcasing Quality Circle activities. A formal Kaizen Promotion Office was established within the hospital in 2016.
Our visits to Osaka City University Hospital showcase the hospital’s approach to developing problem-solving capability through involvement in TQM, and feature presentations from young members of staff on their Quality Circle projects. We will also hear from one of the key leaders of the hospital’s Kaizen Promotion Office on the hospital’s approach to fostering a culture of safety and quality. The visit includes a facility tour within the hospital.
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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Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
My experience on the Lean Japan Tour: – High level of attention and kindness with all participants; – Quality of content in the classroom; – Knowledge and experience of senseis; – Experiments in the dojo; – High-quality company visits; – High-quality hotels, meals and transports.
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Christchurch, Cantebury, New Zealand
I was very pleased to join the March 2026 Shinka Management Lean Tour in Japan. Having previously worked with the Toyota Way and Kaizen in the early 1990s, I was keen to revisit this manufacturing philosophy, and the opportunity to see Lean in action in Japan was not to be missed. The tour was outstanding.…
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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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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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Melville, Hamilton, New Zealand
What a journey into lean! A week jam-packed with learning the true essence of lean from a Sensei, then being critiqued on your practical application of the skills. Followed up by site tours of what world class lean manufacturing looks like. Highly Recommended.
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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 Japan Tour and Lean Healthcare Tour overview pages.
Tour Inquiries
Interested in joining us in Japan? For additional information prior to registration please fill in the form provided or contact us.