1930
1930
Masaaki Imai is born in Tokyo in 1930.
The first domestic automotive production is planned in Japan, and the Just-In-Time concept is observed.
40 years of kaizen institute
Celebrating 40 Years of Business Excellence
Improving the World with Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day – The KAIZEN™ Way
60+ Countries | 6 Continents | 45+ Sectors | 30+ Languages
It all started with a belief. Masaaki Imai was born in Tokyo in 1930, and in 1985 he founded Kaizen Institute in Switzerland, giving the world a methodology that would reach 60+ countries, 6 continents, and thousands of organizations across every sector. The idea at its core is simple and timeless: our way of life deserves to be constantly improved.
Our history
Born from a belief that became a daily practice
1940
1940
The “always striving to do better” attitude (later known as KAIZEN™) is evident in thousands of pages from young Masaaki Imai’s diaries.
The period from World War II to Japan’s post-war economic reforms.
1950
1950
Masaaki Imai works at the Japan Productivity Center in the USA and accompanies executives to learn from US manufacturers.
1960
1960
In Japan, Masaaki Imai establishes an executive recruitement consulting firm.
Masaaki Imai works with Shoichiro Toyoda to observe the American business practices.
1980
1980
Masaaki Imai works with Taiichi Ohno, an engineer known for developing the Toyota Production System.
1981
1981
First KAIZEN™ (Gemba) Tour in Japan is organized by Masaaki Imai in 1981.
1985
1985
Kaizen Institute Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland in 1985.
1986
1986
Kaizen: The Key to Japan’s Competitive Success book is published in 1986.
KAIZEN™, as a systematic management methodology, is introduced to the world for the first time.
1997
1997
Gemba Kaizen: A Commonsense, Low-Cost Approach to Management book is published in 1997.
The term “Lean” is coined. KAIZEN™ and Lean concepts are promoted through various publications.
2000
2000
Masaaki Imai works at the Japan Productivity Center in the USA and accompanies executives to learn from US manufacturers.
2010
2010
Kaizen in Logistics and Supply Chains book is published in 2013.
2019
2019
Strat to Action: The KAIZEN™ Method for Turning Strategy into Action book is published in 2019.
2020
2020
Strategic KAIZEN™: Using FSL™ to Measure and Strengthen Operational Performance book is published in 2021.
2023
2023
Masaaki Imai passes away in 2023, leaving behind a legacy as the founder of Kaizen Institute and the Father of KAIZEN™.
Today
Today
Kaizen Institute supports organizations to achieve sustainable growth and continues to spear-head the development and application of the KAIZEN™ methodology.
Kaizen Institute offers consultation and training services on 6 continents, in 60+ countries to 45+ sectors in 30+ languages.
LISTEN TO KAIZENERS AROUND THE WORLD
Improving together for 40 years
Together, we will continue to build a more productive, sustainable, and human-centered world, one improvement at a time.
KAIZEN™ is a meta-strategy that can execute any strategy, through a real cultural transformation.
The most important thing for top management is to go to Gemba, to go to the shop floor, to go to where your people are acting every day with all their challenges and the guidance they need.
The KAIZEN™ Philosophy assumes that our way of life – be it our working life, or our home life – deserves to be constantly improved.
40 YEARS OF KAIZEN™
Capturing memorable moments from a 40-year journey
