Yamaha Corporation – Factory Tour
Yamaha corporation is one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers. Founded in 1887 in Hamamatsu City, Yamaha started its journey as a piano and reed organ manufacturer through its founder Mr Torakusu Yamaha. Yamaha also manufactures high-quality audio and video equipment, semiconductors and other electronic components. The company is the largest shareholder of Yamaha Motor which started as an affiliated company but later became independent.

Corporate Information
- Company: Yamaha Corporation
- Foundation: 1887
- Location: Shizuoka Prefecture
- Main Business: Manufacturing of musical instruments, audio equipment and industrial machinery/components

Yamaha Corporation – Lean Characteristics
Quality Management, 5S, Visual Management
Yamaha Corporation is synonymous around the world for manufacturing quality musical instruments. The company has established a system to efficiently manufacture and supply products globally. Today, the company has its production and sales bases over 30 countries and regions around the world. Yamaha operates three factories in Japan for the production of musical instruments – all within Shizuoka Prefecture.
Yamaha is guided by the corporate philosophy of “Sharing Passion & Performance” and the company aspires to fulfil this mission by consistently providing high quality products and services that exceed their customers’ expectations.
The company controls the quality of its products based on its quality management system. The Quality Committee made up of quality control managers from different divisions including business and sales divisions deliberates on the corporate-wide quality policies, objectives and measures and deploys them to all business divisions as the directions of the president. Each division then sets its own quality objectives in line with the quality policies and objectives set by the president. The Corporation Quality Assurance Division checks the monthly quality reports submitted by each division and conducts quality audits to ensure every effort is made so that the target set by each division is fulfilled.
The company also has a good 5S implementation and visual management practices in place.

Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Paul, Eri and the Shinka Management team added significant value to our recent business tour in Japan. Well organised custom tour arranged in a short timeframe provided a great learning and cultural experience for our team!
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Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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…
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Lumut, Brunei
The tour shows how industries in Japan do continuous improvement in their respective companies. I think that such concepts could also be applied in other industries as well when applied correctly within its own framework. The tour also showcases some aspects of Japanese culture which I appreciate a lot as it provides insight into the…
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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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Rancagua, O'Higgins, Chile
The Lean Japan Tour allowed me to understand in a practical and conceptual way the real essence of just-in-time and operational efficiency. The dedication of the team and their attention to detail have made this an unforgettable experience.
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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 Yamaha. For Yamaha-related product and service inquiries, please contact Yamaha directly.
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