Masaaki Imai
今井 正明
Masaaki Imai’s work revolutionized the business world,
inspiring change for the better and leaving a lasting
global impact.

LEGACY
A Global Voice for Human-Centered
Improvement
Masaaki Imai dedicated his life to
transforming the way the world thinks
about work. Through his advocacy for
continuous, people-driven improvement,
he brought the Japanese KAIZEN™
philosophy to a global audience. At a
time when efficiency was often equated
with rigid control, he emphasized the
value of empowering individuals at every
level of an organization.
“KAI” means change, and “ZEN” means for the
better, together “Change for the better”.
Kaizen refers to a philosophy or practices
that focus upon Continuous Improvement
regardless of the type of business or
process. Masaaki Imai acknowledged that
kaizen starts with the detection of needs
and problem definition:
“The starting point for improvement is to recognize the need. This comes from the recognition of a problem. If no problem is recognized, there is no recognition of the need for improvement. Complacency is the archenemy of KAIZEN™
“The starting point for improvement is to recognize the need. This comes from the recognition of a problem. If no problem is recognized, there is no recognition of the need for improvement. Complacency is the archenemy of KAIZEN™
Shaping Modern Management and
Operational Excellence
Masaaki Imai’s influence reshaped modern
management thinking across industries.
His focus on systems, customer value,
and the elimination of waste helped
organizations across the globe adopt
leaner, more agile, and human-centered
approaches to operations. He challenged
traditional silos and hierarchies,
promoting transparency, collaboration,
and long-term thinking.
A Legacy of Empowerment and
Sustainability
Masaaki Imai’s true legacy lies in the
lasting cultural shift he inspired – one
where Continuous Improvement is not a
tactic, but a way of life. His
principles remain more relevant than
ever in a world facing complex
challenges. As organizations seek new
ways to remain competitive, resilient,
and socially responsible, Masaaki Imai’s
vision continues to offer a clear path
forward.
BIOGRAPHY
Masaaki Imai’s life stands as a
testament to his unwavering dedication
to Continuous Improvement. From founding
Kaizen Institute to becoming a global
thought leader, his journey has
profoundly influenced modern business
practices around the world.
„The KAIZEN™ Philosophy assumes that our way of life
– be it our working life, or our home life –
deserves to be constantly improved.”
VIDEOS
Explore the legacy of Masaaki Imai
through a curated video collection
highlighting his insights, philosophy,
and global influence. Discover how his
teachings on KAIZEN™ and Continuous
Improvement continue to inspire leaders
and organizations worldwide.

Definition of KAIZEN
PUBLICATIONS
Masaaki Imai’s books, including Kaizen,
Gemba Kaizen, and Strategic KAIZEN™ have
become foundational texts in the pursuit
of business excellence. Through his
writing, he introduced the principles of
Continuous Improvement to leaders and
organizations around the world.
Books
1/3

Strategic Kaizen
In Strategic Kaizen, Masaaki
Imai offers tools to align
improvement with strategy.
Available on Amazon or
Bookshop

Kaizen: The Key to Japan’s
Competitive Success
In this book, the unique
Japanese concept of
KAIZEN™—which means ‘Change
for the Better’ in
English—is introduced for
the first time in the world.
It is emphasizes that
KAIZEN™ is crucial for
understanding the unique
Japanese management
practices, especially in
comparison to traditional
approaches used elsewhere.
Available on Amazon or
Bookshop

Gemba Kaizen: A Commonsense
Approach to a Continuous
Improvement Strategy
This book proved to be even
more influential than the
original. It contains over
20 case studies from
companies worldwide that had
adopted KAIZEN™. Readers are
rewarded with a more
comprehensive and in-depth
explanation of how KAIZEN™
can be integrated into a
company’s management system.
Available on Amazon or
Bookshop

Strategic KAIZEN™: Using
FSL™ to Measure and
Strengthen Operational
Performance
In this book, the flow
concept is adopted as one of
the highest pillars of the
Lean production system.
Under the flow concept, the
work sequence is designed so
that each workpiece flows
between processes without
interruption and stagnation.
Available on Amazon or
Bookshop
“Change for the better doesn’t happen overnight, as
it takes discipline and sacrifice to change the
culture that has been formed over many years.”
GLOBAL IMPACT
Masaaki Imai’s KAIZEN™ philosophy has
shaped organizations around the world,
fostering a culture of Continuous
Improvement. From small businesses to
global enterprises, his principles have
enhanced efficiency, productivity, and
motivation—driving lasting success
across industries and borders.
Podcasts
1/1

Aleix Borrego
Managing Director, Kaizen
Institute Poland
Interviews
1/2

Yukio Kakiuchi
Consultant

Pierluigi Tosato
Consultant
Reels
1/1

Edgar Hoyos
Managing Director,
Kaizen Institute
Colombia
AWARD
“The Masaaki Imai Distinction Award is a
prestigious recognition in Continuous
Improvement practices, named after the
founder of Kaizen Institute. It honors
long-term commitment to Continuous
Improvement principles across entire
organizations, emphasizing cultural
transformation over short-term gains.
Recipients join an elite global
community of Continuous Improvement
leaders, fostering knowledge exchange. ”

Masaaki Imai Distinction Award 2025
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