This JUSE/GET/DHIQC Benchmarking Study Mission is the latest in an ever evolving series of such study missions to world beating Japanese companies, which we have collectively collaborated through JUSE, the organisers of the world beating Deming Prize. On this particular study mission, we will visit:
Toyota Motor Corporation’s famous museum which demonstrates the origins of all of its spectacular contributions to the development of Japanese TQM and its sub elements included in the Lean related sciences.
Komatsu Ltd (Awazu Plant) – the Komatsu Group, which focuses on the manufacture and sales of construction, mining, utility, forestry, and industrial machinery, has done so much to develop and refine Hoshin Kanri (Policy Deployment) and the lesser known but ground breaking concept of Dantotsu (a Japanese term for “unique and unrivalled” and “the best of the best”).
Axial Retailing Inc, a chain of supermarkets that have demonstrated the brilliance of Japanese TQM in retail organisation and have posted tremendous results year in-year out!
Aisin Keikinzoku Co. Ltd, a company in the business of manufacture of aluminium die-casting products for automotive parts and aluminium extrusion products.
These companies that we visit have all put in place the proper elements of TQM that comprise Hoshin Kanri (Policy Deployment), Daily Management, Kaizen, Quality Circles, and Business Process reengineering, amongst others, and these are all integrated parts of complete management systems.
From left to right. Charlie Protzman, John Fraser, Kola Olutimehin, Dr Noriaki Kano, Yumiko Kawashima, David Hutchins
On all of our Japan Study Missions, dating back to 1980, participants have agreed that the visits to the award winning companies have been life changing. A CEO of UK leading company once said:
Not only will you be able to see so many things for yourself, you will be accompanied both in the lectures, visits, sightseeing and all the group related activities by David Hutchins and his co-Director Kola Olutimehin, to answer any queries, discuss any related topic with the intention that when the participants return home they will be able to implement what they have seen. We even offer to provide mentoring services in that respect based on our years of experience in implementation.
To steer their organisation in a distinct direction that ensures all stakeholders are carried along
Looking for a more effective way to get and stay ahead of their competition and create organisations to be proud of
Concerned with knowing and understanding world class business concepts and how to apply them successfully. These include Management Consultants and Coaches who specialise in methodologies such as Lean Six Sigma, Agile, Change Management, Business Process Reengineering etc
Whose VISION is a career of helping others to achieve excellence
Many partners want to share this experience even if they are not in industry themselves. The sightseeing is breathtaking and to be able to have meaningful discussions at home can be educational.
We will visit one of their supermarkets in Nagaoka, but this is not included in the itinerary laid out for you.
This is a company in the business of manufacture of aluminium die-casting products for automotive parts and aluminium extrusion products.
The Komatsu Group focuses on the manufacture and sales of construction, mining, utility, forestry, and industrial machinery.
The main business activities are the production and sales of motor vehicles.
On each of our Study missions we strive to make some enhanced changes. On this visit, for the first time, we will be visiting companies on the Western side of Japan. Here the scenery is dramatic. Rather than travel down this coast by train we will be taking a coach. This will be in week 2 and it includes a cultural surprise night stop where you will experience Japanese culture with no western influence. It is likely to be a topic of conversation for years to come!
You can eat Japanese food in restaurants all over the world but you will never experience it as it is in Japan even when the owners are Japanese themselves. We have entertained many Japanese people outside of Japan and in every case they say it is different. You will experience the ambiance, the ancient culture, entertainment and exquisite food like nothing you have experienced before.
You will be learning from leading thought leaders in Japan who are revered in all the industries who manage using the principles of Japanese TQM. They are also very familiar with the ways of the West and other parts of the North South and East and the stumbling blocks they face. They have worked with them so these are very practical sessions.
We will meet you at the first hotel and everything after that is in our care. You can relax, your luggage will be taken care of, all you have to do between stops is to pack. Some of the food is covered as stated in the itinerary but some is also left to participants who might have different ideas as to what to do in their free time. We will be there for you!
JUSE was formed in 1946 by subscription from all the leading Japanese Companies who wanted a central training organisation to support them. And JUSE has maintained this purpose ever since. Also, JUSE is responsible for the management and award of all the significant National Awards such as ‘The Deming Prize. All of the companies we visit on our Study Missions that sort for the Deming Prize have achieved this coveted award! As a consequence, we as collaborators with JUSE since the late 1970s, are treated with honour at the locations of our host organisations. David Hutchins is known throughout Japan as the following brochure shows. This was a lecture tour that David gave in the mid-1990s when he was described as being the European who understands Japanese business culture better than any European they knew!
The unique experience of David Hutchins and Kola Olutimehin is available to participants, not only during the working and social hours of the programme, but also at more or less any time afterwards. Zoom calls can be arranged and we offer one day face to face free in your own company following the visit, plus of course, travel and subsistence expenses. With the GET specialists and DHIQC alumni, the future association with these two organisations is open ended. We receive calls from such participants often from more than 20 years back. Not only does this give you an association with us, but also with each other. GET is in itself a networking organisation.
| Date | Place | Time | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday May 25, 2025 | Tokyo | - | Arrival in Tokyo. Hotel check-in at the Keio Plaza in Tokyo. Registration with the in-house organisers. Acclimatisation tour around Shinjuku and other parts of Tokyo. |
| Monday May 26, 2025 | Tokyo | - | Seminar by Dr Hiroshi Osada on Overview of TQM: General Concepts, Fundamentals, History, Applicability, Top Management Role, Policy & Daily Management. |
| Tuesday May 27, 2025 | Tokyo | Morning | Seminar by Yoshihisa Matsuda on Quality Control Circle Activities and Kaizen: Daily Work Management, Operating with TQM, Formation and Development of Circles. |
| Tuesday May 27, 2025 | Tokyo | Afternoon | Seminar by Yasushi Kito on TQM Case Study covering various aspects of implementation. |
| Wednesday May 28, 2025 | Tokyo to Nagaoka | - | Seminar by David Hutchins, Kola Olutimehin, and Dan Protzman on business transformation plans. Travel to Nagaoka and hotel check-in. |
| Thursday May 29, 2025 | Nagaoka to Toyama | - | Company Visit 1: Axial Retailing Inc. Gemba walk in supermarket, lunch on site, executive presentation and Q&A. Travel to Toyama and hotel check-in. |
| Friday May 30, 2025 | Toyama to Kanazawa | - | Company Visit 2: Aisin Keikinzoku Co., Ltd. Gemba walk in factory, lunch, executive presentation and Q&A. Travel to Kanazawa and hotel check-in. |
| Saturday May 31, 2025 | Shirakawa-go | - | 1-day trip to Shirakawa-go (World Heritage Site). |
| Sunday June 1, 2025 | Kanazawa | - | Sightseeing in Kanazawa. Travel to a Hot Spring Spa near Kanazawa. Shared room accommodation option. |
| Monday June 2, 2025 | Kanazawa to Nagoya | - | Company Visit 3: Komatsu Ltd (Awazu Plant). Gemba walk, lunch, executive presentation and Q&A. Travel to Nagoya and hotel check-in. |
| Tuesday June 3, 2025 | Nagoya to Tokyo | - | Company Visit 4: Toyota Commemorative Museum and Toyota Motor Corporation seminar. Travel to Tokyo and hotel check-in. |
| Wednesday June 4, 2025 | Tokyo | - | De-Brief Seminar by Hutchins, Olutimehin, and Protzman. Discussion on applying learnings to participants' organisations. |
| Thursday June 5, 2025 | Tokyo | - | Free day. Check out from Keio Plaza Hotel. |
| Study Mission Fee includes the following | Study Mission Fee excludes the following |
|---|---|
| Course registration | Flight costs to and from Japan |
| Accommodation, including breakfast for 11 nights (May 25 to June 4 , 2025) | Airport transfers on arrival and departure from Japan |
| Transportation during the Study Mission to all organised events | Travel Insurance |
| Seminar materials | Lunch and Dinner meals |
| Participant giveaway packs | Incidentals, such as telephone calls, additional drinks/snacks, laundry, medicals, etc. |
| Certificate of Participation accredited by JUSE/GET/DHI |