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Category: Japanese culture

The Real Meaning of Kaizen

What does the word “kaizen” mean to you? You likely know the word kaizen to mean “continuous improvement” or just “improvement”. Perhaps you first heard

March 18, 2021 6 Comments

Only in Japan! – 3 stories of Japanese “omotenashi”, service and respect in 1 day

Japan is famous for customer service and hospitality, known as “omotenashi” in Japanese, and for being a safe and clean country – and my experiences

February 20, 2018 No Comments

A reminder from a recent visit to Japan: Lean is not inherently Japanese

I just got back from a week and a half trip to Japan to prepare for an upcoming Japan lean study trip I’m leading on

February 12, 2018 5 Comments

You haven’t seen a start-up meeting like this one before: Teppen’s “Honki no Chorei” in Japan

How many morning or “start-up” meetings have you been part of that are fun and invigorating? I bet none as energetic and the one that Tim Wolput

July 11, 2017 1 Comment

Highlights from Japan: conversations with Lean leaders, gemba visits, a daruma pilgrimage, and more

I just got back from a 9-day trip to Japan and it was everything I hoped it would be from both a personal and professional perspective.

June 1, 2017 9 Comments

Year End Review: 2016 – Reflections on 18 months in Japan and returning to the U.S.

It’s that time of year again for reflection and resetting of goals and intentions -the “Check-Adjust” and “Plan” parts of the Plan-Do-Check-Adjust (PDCA) Cycle. If you

January 20, 2017 1 Comment

Life in Japan: Omotenashi – the spirit of Japan’s customer service & hospitality

In October, 2016 I went on a one-week trip to Tokyo to attend a traditional Japanese Shinto wedding ceremony and visit the city that I

October 26, 2016 16 Comments

Daruma dolls in Japan: a visual reminder of intentions, goals and perseverance

Since the beginning of this year, I’ve become a bit obsessed with collecting Daruma dolls. Before I left Japan in June, I bought nearly 100 Darumas

July 22, 2016 8 Comments

You are here: Sayonara Japan, Hello California

When I wrote my last post while on the Shinkansen, I knew it would probably be a few weeks until I was able to write

July 12, 2016 8 Comments

Life in Japan: Traveling faster than a speeding bullet (train, that is)

I am writing this blog post while I’m on what will be my last Shinkansen (bullet train) journey for awhile. In less than three weeks,

May 25, 2016 5 Comments

Life in Japan: Just ship it! Efficiency in logistics and travel

One of the delights about living in Japan is the level of efficiency and punctuality of their transportation services. This extends beyond just people transportation

February 17, 2016 No Comments

Life in Japan: Wrap it up! – Value or Waste?

I love living in Japan and having this opportunity to learn about a new culture and language. I’ve tried to retain my “outsider’s perspective” while

February 11, 2016 10 Comments

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