History Timeline
1930s
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.
1940s
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.
1950s
Masaaki Imai works at the Japan Productivity Center in the USA and accompanies executives to learn from US manufacturers.
1960s
In Japan, Masaaki Imai establishes an executive recruitement consulting firm.
Masaaki Imai works with Shoichiro Toyoda to observe the American business practices.
1980s
Masaaki Imai works with Taiichi Ohno, an engineer known for developing the Toyota Production System.
First KAIZEN™ (Gemba) Tour in Japan is organized by Masaaki Imai in 1981.
Kaizen Institute Ltd. is incorporated in Switzerland in 1985.
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.
1990s
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.
2000s
The proprietary KAIZEN™ Management System, later to be known as the KAIZEN™ Change Model and the KAIZEN™ Business System, is developed as a corporate consulting model.
Many corporations start developing their own improvement strategies based on KAIZEN™
2010s
Kaizen in Logistics and Supply Chains book is published in 2013. Strat to Action: The KAIZEN™ Method for Turning Strategy into Action book is published in 2019.
Strat to Action: The KAIZEN™ Method for Turning Strategy into Action book is published in 2019.
2020s
Strategic KAIZEN™: Using FSL™ to Measure and Strengthen Operational Performance book is published in 2021.
Masaaki Imai passes away in 2023, leaving behind a legacy as the founder of Kaizen Institute and the Father of KAIZEN™.
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.