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JAPAN STUDY TRIP LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Program Details and Sample Itinerary

This Immersive Program Includes:

  • Curated, facilitated, 6-day in-person program in Japan
  • Pre-trip and post-trip virtual meetings and learning program with Katie Anderson -- including self-paced online video lessons and reading -- to augment and crystalize your learning and impact
  • Facilitated group discussions led by Katie Anderson before, during and after the program
  • Seminars with Japanese leaders including Isao Yoshino
  • Visits to host companies and experts
  • Entrance, site visit, conference rooms, and speaker fees
  • Accommodations in 4-star Western hotels and traditional Japanese ryokan (6 nights total)
  • Most meals: Breakfast (6 days), Lunch (5 days), Dinner (2 nights)
  • Domestic transportation via private bus and Shinkansen
  • Interpretation services (into English)
  • Travel logistics during program
  • Customized workbook with information about the program, site visits, and space for note-taking
  • Group document sharing and communication platforms
  • Certificate of Completion

Travel Arrangements

Plan to arrive in Nagoya no later than Sunday midday for the start of the program on Sunday early afternoon, although it is recommended you arrive at least one day earlier to allow for time zone adjustment. 

Program will conclude in Tokyo on Friday evening, with hotel check-out on Saturday.

Travel details and more specifics related to your tour date will be provided once you are enrolled in the program. Wait for our go-ahead before buying flights.

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Sending a group?

If you are investing in your organization by sending three or more leaders on the same program, indicate on your application and we will contact you to discuss enhanced learning experiences and support for your group, including customized pre-trip learning, team-building, and strategic alignment and implementation support.

Are You Self-Funding?

A special bonus is available for individuals self-funding their experience. Please let us know on your application to discuss this option.

Apply now!

Submit your application

Limited Group Size

18 Participants Maximum

* 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 itinerary. You are also responsible for obtaining personal travel and international health insurance. Travel insurance is strongly advised.

SAMPLE PROGRAM ITINERARY

Below is a sample itinerary based on Katie Anderson’s prior Japan Study Trips. Each trip is unique in its agenda and specific programming. The specific program agenda is determined 2-3 months prior to the scheduled trip and is curated by Katie Anderson for each trip, though the learning objectives and focus of the program remains constant. 

For 2025 programs, 81-year old Toyota leader Isao Yoshino plans on joining the entire 6-day tour in Japan, pending his health. This is exclusive access to spend time with an influential leader who helped shape the Toyota Way over meals, on the bus, and during discussions.

For more details, you can see past trip itineraries and highlights for examples of previous programs including November 2024, May 2024 and October 2023. You can also visit LinkedIn for past participants’ daily digests under #JapanStudyTrip.

Note: All program specifics are subject to change due to events such as COVID-related issues, site host availability, or other factors. We will handle all arrangements to ensure a robust learning program and cultural experience. 

BEFORE THE PROGRAM

PRE-TRIP LEARNING AND PREPARATION

  • Access to pre-trip learning materials including books, videos, lectures and curated reading
  • Pre-trip facilitated group calls led by Katie Anderson with your program cohort for discussion and enriched learning to ensure you are best prepared to get the most value from the trip
  • Access to shared collaboration platforms and group chat
  • Travel and trip preparation logistics support

SUNDAY

ARRIVE IN NAGOYA

  • Arrive in Nagoya no later than Sunday midday. Check-in to Nagoya Hotel.
  • If arrive the night before, enjoy exploring Nagoya on your own, such as a visit to the Nagoya Castle or an extended visit to the Toyota Museum
  • Orientation, Welcome + Discussion with Isao Yoshino
  • Guided visit to the Toyota Museum of Technology and Innovation
  • Welcome dinner with all participants (included)

MONDAY

NAGOYA AREA 

  • Visit Toyota supplier or another company + leadership discussion
  • Cultural experience(s) (e.g. visit an elementary school to experience the school lunch and cleaning, a Japanese tea ceremony, other experience)
  • Leadership workshop with ex-Toyota leaders / Toyota Management Institute
  • Reflection + discussion session
  • Optional group dinner

TUESDAY

NAGOYA AREA/TOYOTA CITY 

  • Visit Toyota Supplier or another company + leadership discussion
  • Cultural experience(s) (e.g. visit an elementary school to experience the school lunch and cleaning, Japanese tea ceremony, other experience )
  • Reflection + discussion session
  • Optional group dinner

WEDNESDAY

NAGANO & GUNMA PREFECTURES 

  • Travel via bus to Nagano Prefecture
  • Visit Ina Foods Industries + leadership discussion
  • Lunch at Ina Foods' garden restaurant (or another location)
  • Sake tasting experience
  • Stay overnight at a ryokan (traditional Japanese hotel) in the mountains
  • Traditional Japanese banquet dinner and celebration (included)
  • Local sightseeing and cultural experiences such as onsen, wearing yukata, and karaoke (optional)

THURSDAY

ASHIKAGA & TOKYO

  • Cultural experience - visit the Daruma Temple in Takasaki
  • Lunch in Ashikaga and discussions with Japanese business leaders
  • Site visit and experience at 1-2 Ashikaga companies (Ogura Metal, Tokyo Foods, or another) + discussion
  • Check-in - Tokyo Hotel
  • Dinner on own in Tokyo

FRIDAY

TOKYO AREA

  • Visit Tokyo-area company or lecture + discussion with Japanese business executive
  • Lunch in Tokyo
  • Final discussion and wrap-up facilitated by Katie Anderson
  • Graduation ceremony with certificate of completion, daruma doll, and group photos
  • Optional group celebration dinner or possible additional cultural experience (depends on the trip!) and karaoke
  • Official tour program ends Friday evening

SATURDAY

TRIP CONCLUDES IN TOKYO

  • Check out of Tokyo hotel
  • Fly home - or extend your stay on your own

AFTER THE PROGRAM

FOLLOW UP

  • Facilitated group reflection session to embed your learnings and apply them in your organization
  • Ongoing access to shared files and group chat for collaboration

DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS TRANSFORMATIONAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITY!

Submit Your Application

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!

Submit Your Application

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