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.
Masaaki Imai
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™
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
„The KAIZEN™ Philosophy assumes that our way of life – be it our working life, or our home life – deserves to be constantly improved.”
Masaaki Imai, Founder of Kaizen Institute
VIDEOS
Video Thumbnail
Definition of KAIZEN
PUBLICATIONS
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.”
Masaaki Imai, Founder of Kaizen Institute
GLOBAL IMPACT
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
Masaaki Imai Distinction Award 2025
Download Presentation