TOTO Sanitechno – Factory Tour
TOTO is a very well-known corporate name in Japan and increasingly overseas. The company 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.

Corporate Information
- Company: TOTO Sanitechno
- Establishment: 1957
- Location: Headquartered in Oita Prefecture
- Main Business: Bathroom fixtures and sanitary ceramic ware manufacturing

TOTO Sanitechno – Lean Characteristics
QC Circle, Kaizen Suggestion Scheme, Visual Management
TOTO prides itself on offering high-quality innovative bathroom fixtures and sanitary ceramic ware which made it an iconic and much-desired brand in Japan.
The company has an active and well-structured QC circle program. QC circles are small groups made up of shop floor operators responsible for quality control. They voluntarily and continuously undertake activities that improve the quality of their products as well as the safety and efficiency of their operation. In addition, they have an effective kaizen suggestion scheme where employees are incentivized and awarded for their useful kaizen solution ideas.
The company also has a system and common format in place with which all important operation information relating to safety and quality is shared amongst all their plants promptly so that they can make corporate-wide efforts to improve their operations.
The presentation and factory tour at a TOTO Sanitechno plant will also provide a great insight into the visual management techniques used at TOTO to strive for high levels of quality and efficiency.

Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
I really liked the Lean Japan Tour, since it combines theoretical training, workshops and visits to different companies. It is different to see firsthand how the different methodologies work and take the time to understand that it is part of the organizational culture. Thank you Shinka Management team. Now let’s get to work…!!
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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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Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
The TPS methodologies and learnings were exceptional. Shinka management ensured the tour was clearly defined. The teachings from expert senseis were effective, and they shared their knowledge and experience of the kaizen and 5S models. A must attend tour for people who are seeking improvements in business and culture. Thank you Shinka management!
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Greenwood, Mississippi, United States
I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to learn the Toyota Production System from the source. I look forward to implementing the many findings in our plant. This experience has given me a different approach to improving our plant’s lean journey. Thank you again for everything.
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Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
The Shinka Lean Management Tour was a great experience, with group members from across the globe. A combination of classroom, hands-on and site visit learning provided good insight into lean principles. The tour was very well organised, ran smoothly and was a pleasure to be a part of.
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Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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.
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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.
The above form is for inquiries related to the Lean Japan Tour program, Shinka Management consulting and training services, and lean manufacturing software products. Shinka Management does not represent TOTO. For TOTO-related product and service inquiries, please contact TOTO directly.
