Japan Lean Study Trip - May 2019
Register now for a $1500 discount off the regular price! Seats are limited!
Explore Tokyo at night
Experience the contrasts between the ancient and the modern
Enjoy a week of dynamic learning and fun!
All participants receive a Japanese daruma and a certificate of completion.
Get unparalleled access to Isao Yoshino
Learn from Mr. Yoshino through formal lectures and informal conversation
Enjoy Japanese food and hospitality
Engage in enriching discussions
With leaders from around the world
Go to gemba and be inspired!
Hear from passionate leaders and see how they have developed cultures of continuous improvement and respect for people.
Eperience the evolution of the Toyota Production System
Visit Toyota and its suppliers, and other organization, who have a passion for developing people and innovation.
Be thrilled by a ride on the Shinkansen bullet train
Be amazed at the precision of the Japanese high-speed rail system
See with your own eyes
How Japanese companies use Lean management practices
Discover the culture and hospitality of Japan

Japan Lean Study Trip

Next open-enrollment trip: May 12–18, 2019

If you’re ready to take your understanding of organizational excellence to the next level, there’s no experience like immersing yourself in the Japanese kaizen mindset and culture on the KBJ Anderson Japan Study Trip.

Led by Katie Anderson, this study tour is a high-value opportunity to go see and learn from passionate leaders in the birthplace the Toyota Production System about how they have developed cultures of respect and improvement in their organizations.

You will discover how Japanese companies across diverse industries succeed in delivering greater value to customers through service excellence and product delivery, while developing and engaging their people in continuous daily improvement.

Be prepared for an intense and fun week of learning, filled with site visits, facilitated discussions, and conversations with Japanese business leaders, plus plenty of great Japanese food and cultural experiences along the way!

You will come away from this week with a deeper appreciation of the concepts of operational excellence, Lean thinking, customer service, and continuous improvement, and how you can use them to deliver better value to your customers.

Embark on the learning journey of a lifetime!

Check out highlights from the KBJ Anderson led Japan Lean Study Trip from May 2018!

Your Experience Includes

Click to expand

Site Visits Across Diverse Industries

We will visit 6 or more Japanese companies during the program, to walk through their organizations and talk with their leaders about their management philosophies and approaches to continuous improvement, strategy deployment, and people development.

Discover how the town of Ashikaga has leveraged 5S and other Lean principles as their method to revitalizing industry AND the human spirit in over 150+ organizations
Talk with a female executive of a multi-generational family-owned company about her experiences as a female leader in a traditionally male dominated business culture – as well as developing a culture of innovation, joy, and engagement in a factory environment
Visit a Nagoya-area elementary school to interact with school children and learn how fundamental concepts of community and regret of waste are valued
See the connection between “top-down” (strategy set by leaders through hoshin kanri) and “bottoms-up” (daily kaizen improvements by the front-line) connect through leadership behaviors and visual management systems
Experience the connection between Toyota and their suppliers through pull-systems and just-in-time delivery
Visualize how lean production principles such as rapid-changeover (SMED), mistake-proofing, pull, kanban, 5S, one-piece flow, water spiders, standard work, level-loading, and visual management are practiced
And more still to be developed on the itinerary!

Lectures + Discussions with Japanese Executives

Learn from Japanese CEOs and senior executives such as through lectures and discussions:

Mr. Isao Yoshino – 40+ year Toyota leader (Japan + U.S.) and John Shook’s first manager
Mr. Yabe – former President of Tessei (Shinkansen cleaning company)
Mrs. Noriko Ogura – COO and SVP of Ogura Metal
Mr. Yoshinori Kikuchi – President of Kikuchi Gears or another Ashikaga-based company leader
Mr. Umemura – Chairman and founder of Mifune, Tier-2 supplier to Toyota
And more!

Exclusive Access to Mr. Isao Yoshino

You will have unique access to Mr. Isao Yoshino, a retired 40-year Toyota executive who helped teach TPS to the NUMMI plant, was John Shook’s first manager at Toyota, and was Shook’s model for the manager character “Sanderson” in the book Managing to Learn. Mr. Yoshino will impart his vast knowledge of Toyota management, hoshin kanri, and people development with you through formal lectures and discussion throughout the the program.

You’ll be able to spend time with Mr. Yoshino in private conversation at meals, on the bus, and at the site visits. This level of access to Mr. Yoshino is not available on any other learning program in Japan!

Facilitated Discussions Led by Katie Anderson

Katie Anderson, Japan Lean Study Trip organizer, will be facilitate discussions throughout the program to deepen your learning experiences.

Katie will share her insights from living in Japan for 18 months and subsequent trips to Japan, as well as as a Lean leadership coach and consultant who works with individuals and companies around the world.

We will discuss the challenges that “typical Japanese” companies have in implementing Lean, and how and why Lean isn’t inherently Japanese but rather a management system that has drawn on the best of both Western and Japanese practices.

Mami Takeda, Japan Lean Study Trip coordinator and interpreter, will also provide additional commentary about Japanese culture, kaizen, and Lean thinking as practiced in Japan.

Travel by Bullet Train

Be thrilled by riding on one of the most advanced rail systems in the world and travel at speeds up to 186 mph (300 kph) on the the bullet train (Shinkansen) from Nagoya to Tokyo.

Witness the precision and customer service of the Japanese railway system that is world-famous for its “7-minute miracle” train turnover.

Food + Cultural Experiences

Enjoy authentic, excellent Japanese food and culture as we travel through Tokyo, Nagoya and Ashikaga.

Breakfast and lunch is included during the program, as well as a welcome dinner and celebration dinner! On Thursday we will enjoy a relaxing lunch at the Coco Winery in Ashikaga.

During the program, we will include opportunities for other cultural and sightseeing experiences that might include:

Strolling the halls of the oldest school in Japan
Enjoying wisteria (“fuji”) flavored ice cream at a world-famous flower park
Experiencing the high tech service of a “Lean sushi” restaurant
Interacting with local school children during their lunchtime
And more!

Choose to enrich your week with other experiences not included in the formal program

Optional group dinners are a great opportunity to enjoy conversations with other passionate Lean practitioners from around the world, or choose to take the evenings off to explore on your own.

You will also have the opportunity to participate in optional experiences during the week that could include (depends on interest and availability):

Early morning visit to a local temple in Nagoya
Morning jog along the Sumida river
Morning visit to the fish market

Consider extending your visit to Japan

Arrive by Sunday morning in Nagoya and add-on a visit to the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology or the Nagoya Castle. Or arrive a few days earlier and visit the famous temples and shrines of Kyoto or other famous locations in Japan.

Extend your stay in Tokyo and witness the Grand Sumo tournament (held May 12-26), visit famous temples and shrines, take part in a Tokyo food tour, or experience Tokyo nightlife. Katie will provide suggestions for sightseeing and special experiences in Tokyo.

Add-on additional learning opportunities

We have developed the program to provide you with access to experiences that you could not get on your own. We highly recommend a visit to the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology in Nagoya, but have intentionally not included it on the formal Japan Study Trip program in order to maximize your opportunity to visit Japanese organizations and talk directly with their leaders. Contact Katie Anderson if you are interested in visiting the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology on Sunday before the program commences.

“It was one of my best trips in my life.”

“This experience was transformational. I would absolutely recommend the Japan Study Trip to anyone even remotely considering it.”

“Katie Anderson was exceptionally skilled, and her experiential knowledge of living in Japan was tremendous.”

“It was an amazing experience and should be taken by every company board member and high-level executive.”

“The trip exceeded my expectations by far! You can read all you want, but there is no comparison to seeing how the Japanese culture approaches operational excellence.”

– May 2018 KBJ Anderson Japan Trip participants

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YOUR HOST – KATIE ANDERSON

I am excited to share my knowledge of Japan and Lean thinking with you!

I lived in Japan for 18 months in 2015 & 2016 and used this special opportunity learn more deeply about Japanese culture, language, and management system practices to develop cultures of continuous improvement and customer service.

I started my blog as a way to share my insights as a Lean practitioner living in Japan, and I’ve continued to write about my observations and insights about leadership and continuous improvement around the world.

Check out some of the highlights of the Japan Lean Study Trip I led in May 2018 and the plans I’m making for the May 2019 experience!

Through the relationships that I have made, and the experiences that I have had, I have developed an exciting program of deep learning – and fun – for you.

More About Me

Tentative Program Schedule

Sunday, May 12
ARRIVE IN NAGOYA
On your own
Suggested activities: Visit Toyota Museum of Innovation and Technology, Nagoya Castle

Check-in to Hilton Nagoya
Program begins at 6pm
Welcome dinner
Monday, May 14
NAGOYA AREA / TOYOTA CITY
Orientation
Isao Yoshino, lecture + discussion
Visit to Toyota Tier-3 supplier + discussion
Tuesday, May 15
NAGOYA AREA / TOYOTA CITY
Visit Toyota Tier 2 supplier + discussion
Visit Toyota Motor Corporation Plant and Kaikan Museum
Wednesday, May 16
NAGOYA AREA / TOKYO
Isao Yoshino, lecture + discussion
Visit Elementary School
Dine at a “Lean Sushi” restaurant

(Travel via bullet train to Tokyo)

President of Shinkansen cleaning company, lecture + discussion
Observe the “7-minute miracle” Shinkansen changeover at Tokyo Station
Thursday, May 17
TOKYO AREA & ASHIKAGA
Visit Ogura Metal + discussion
Lunch at Coco Winery
Visit Kikuchi Gears (or another company) + discussion
Some local sightseeing
Friday,
May 18
GREATER TOKYO AREA
Visit 1-2 greater-Tokyo-area companies (TBC)
Final discussion and wrap-up
“Graduation”
Celebration dinner
Saturday, May 19
DEPART JAPAN
Fly home – or extend your stay on your own

Program Includes

Accommodations in Tokyo and Nagoya (6 nights)
Breakfast (6 days)
Lunch (5 days)
Dinner (2 nights)
Domestic transportation
Host company and expert access
Seminars with leaders
Entrance, site visit, and speaker fees
Travel logistics during program
Interpretation services (into English)
Facilitated discussions and presentations

Limited Group Size

20 Participants Maximum

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Investment*

Apply now for early price special
$7495 USD

~~Full Price~~
~~$8,995 USD~~

* You are responsible for your international flights to Japan, your domestic travel and related costs before and after the program, and any meals and experiences outside of the program. You are also responsible for obtaining personal travel and international health insurance. Please see the Japan Trip application page for more information on trip terms and conditions.

Testimonials

It was one of my best trips in my life. Going to the gemba and seeing the cultural foundation of Lean went beyond my expectations in learning.

This trip perfect for someone interested in going to the gemba for Lean learning, experiencing the culture, learning the history of Toyota, and seeing Japan.

Dr. David Applegate (Participant - May 2018)Vice-President of Medical Affairs, OhioHealth

This trip exceeded my expectations by far! You can read all you want, but there is no comparison to seeing how the Japanese culture approaches operational excellence. The respect for people is present in everything they do and has helped to shape my behaviors and actions back at home.

The experience indelibly changed me, both personally and as a leader. I am forever grateful for the people we met, the teachers who shared their wisdom, and the opportunity to experience the culture in such an amazing way!

Emily Jackson (Participant - May 2018)Director of Nursing, New York Presbyterian Hospital

This particular program is like no other that I have been on before. The main point of difference was to explore the culture and how it underpins the very existence of TPS or Lean Manufacturing.

The tour had a well-balanced combination of practical site visits and insightful lectures. The selection of gemba visits comprised of a good solid mixture of maturity with each visit having a unique approach to how they have developed their own special culture in support of their lean development journey.

I’d like to acknowledge Yoshino-san for giving up his time to share his wealth of knowledge and experience with the group. This is what differentiates a tour of this nature to that of many others.

John Reilly (Participant - May 2018)Global Lean Leader, GE Aviation and former 35+ year leader at Toyota Motor Corporation Australia (where John regularly traveled to Japan and Toyota City)

You can’t really understand Lean systems until you are able to understand the culture that provides the thinking behind the tools to make a sustainable impact in your organization. The Japan Lean Study Tour gives you the ability to feel and experience how the Japanese culture influences Lean thinking and how to create a culture for sustainability.

Every lean practitioner should experience Lean through the eyes of The Japan Lean Study Trip.

Wendell Aldrich (Participant - May 2018)General Manager, Oji Intertech

This Japan Trip exceeded my expectations by far! The organization was superb, and the logistics, too!

To have Gemba visits with Isao Yoshino was an amazing opportunity; he shared many great stories and good advice. In addition, I was amazed to see the passion of the owners of the companies we visited and to see how these companies seek perfection, through respect, employee kaizen events, and 5S, among other things.

I enjoyed every minute and learned so much from it! It was an amazing experience and should be taken by every company board member and high-level executive.

Dr. Javier Sala Mercado, M.D., Ph.D. Vice CMO & COO (Participant - May 2018)Instituto Modelo de Cardiologia Privado SRL, Cordoba, Argentina, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

Going into the trip, I was excited about seeing Toyota and seeing the relationship between Toyota and Toyota suppliers, but I may have underestimated the profound cultural experience that the trip would ultimately be.

Katie was exceptionally skilled, and her experiential knowledge of living in Japan was tremendous.

This experience was transformational and far exceeded my expectations. From the first day after returning, I have been thinking about how I can better display humility, show gratitude, and be the best leader I can be every day. I would absolutely recommend this trip to anyone even remotely considering it.

Dr. Mamta Reddy (Participant - May 2018)Associate Director of Pediatrics, University of Missouri, and Medical Director of Quality and Performance Improvement, Children’s Mercy Hospital

CONCEPTS WE’LL EXPLORE

Respect for People
Understand more deeply what respect for people (“hitozukuri” or the art of developing people) means in Japan and how “respect for people” became one of the two pillars of the Toyota Way codified in 2001. Respect for people is the uniting theme across all the organizations we will visit.

Craftsmanship
Observe how respect for craftsmanship (“monozukuri” or the art of making things) is pervasive in the Japanese culture. Learn how the teacher (sensei) and apprentice (deshi) relationship is essential to developing skills – and developing people.

Learning
Understand how respect for learning and reflection is fundamental to Toyota’s success. Discover how Japanese children learn through visiting a local elementary school.

Precision and Kata
Ride on the Shinkansen (bullet train) between Nagoya and Tokyo and be awed by the Japanese focus on precision. This deliberate focus on precision can be seen in the kata (routines) in everyday life, from tea ceremonies to how business cards are exchanged. Learn how precision is an important part of standard work and continuous improvement.

Regret of Waste
Appreciate how the concept of “mottainai” (regret for waste) is a deeply held Japanese cultural value, taught at an early age to children, and how elimination of waste is an essential component of the Toyota Production System and Lean thinking.

Continuous Improvement
Learn how continuous improvement (“kaizen”), the second pillar of the Toyota Way, is incorporated into the daily work of every employee, and the leader’s role in supporting daily improvement. Kaizen is not a “project”, but rather the small ideas that make the organization work a little bit better every day.

Creativity
See, through multiple site visits and observations of daily life, how Lean principles support and encourage people’s creativity for improvement – and how concepts of joy and fun can be brought into business and factory environments.

Community
Hear how organizations use Lean concepts to improve their business operations and how their mindsets are focused on doing good for their broader community. Learn how one town in Japan has used Lean practices as a strategy to revitalize their community.

Hospitality and Customer Service
Experience the Japanese concept of “omotenashi” (the Japanese term for hospitality and customer service) in everyday interactions. Understand how the concept of service is linked with kaizen to demonstrate respect for customers – and employees.

Organization and Cleanliness
Be amazed at the organization, tidiness, and cleanliness of Tokyo and other Japanese cities. Learn how respect for organization facilitates Lean practices such as 5S, but in no way ensures that 5S is easy!

Don’t miss out on this transformational learning opportunity!

Apply Now