JapanMay 12-16, 2025
FocusIn: Japan Operational Excellence Benchmarking is a powerful opportunity to experience industry leadership and improvement philosophy, at the source.
FocusIn will host the event and provide a wide range of expertise and insight. We will lead a multi-day workshop on manufacturing best practices, improvement philosophy, and systems development.
Site tours will be held at various operating facilities, including global manufacturers.
Registration - $6,995 per Seat
- Visits to world-class plants and facilities
- Seminars and workshops
- Welcome & closing dinners
- 5 Hotel nights (Sunday - Friday)
- Local Transportation (Charter bus & Shinkansen train)
- Breakfast & Lunch
- *Participation fee does not include airfare, travel insurance, and personal expenses (own dinners and optional activities).
Why Japan?
This environment offers a unique operating landscape in which to learn. Japan is one of the world's leading industrialized economies, and there are many companies to benchmark. We will use this backdrop during the event to offer proximity to site visits with globally leading brands.
Past Event Agenda (2025 tour agenda is pending)We are pleased to offer a blend of learning experiences
| Sunday | |
|---|---|
| 5:00pm Target to arrive in Tokyo |
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| 5:30pm Hotel check-in (Tokyo Asakusa NONO) |
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| 6:30pm Welcome dinner & introductions |
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| Monday | |
|---|---|
| 9:00am Workshop session: Shinkansen cleaning gemba (subject of many case studies) |
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| 12:30pm Transit through Tokyo |
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| 1:30pm Welcome lunch & seminar at traditional restaurant |
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| 3:30pm Temple Visit and Mindfulness Lesson with Shoukei Matsumoto |
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| 6:30pm Group welcome dinner |
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| Tuesday | |
|---|---|
| 6:30am Transfer to Nagoya (Shinkansen) |
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| 10:00am Visit to Toyota City & Toyota Kaikan forum (production tour subject to Toyota visitor policy) |
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| 12:30pm Lunch at Lean Sushi |
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| 2:00pm Production Tour at Isuzu Steel |
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| 4:00pm Debrief & transfer to Hotel (Nagoya JR Gate Tower) |
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| 5:30pm Day 2 Close |
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| Wednesday | |
|---|---|
| 9:00am Production tour at Mifune |
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| 12:30pm Lunch at traditional restaurant |
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| 2:00pm Improvement workshop at Mifune |
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| 4:00pm Debrief & transfer to Hotel |
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| 4:30pm Executive seminar with Mr. Umemura & Amezawa |
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| Thursday | |
|---|---|
| 9:00am Production Tour at Avex |
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| 11:30am Lunch at Shabushabu |
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| 12:45pm Visit to Elementary School (visual mgmt. case study) |
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| 2:30pm Facility tour at Usui Woven Fabric |
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| 4:30pm Transit to hotel |
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| 6:30pm Group closing dinner |
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| Friday | |
|---|---|
| 9:00am Visit to Toyota Techno Museum & closing workshop |
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| 11:30am Lunch |
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| 12:30pm Transit to Kyoto (Shinkansen) |
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| 1:30pm Visit traditional gardens & temples |
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| 5:30pm Farewell (participants are free to depart, or extend their stay) |
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Event Highlights
Site Visits at Best-Practice Companies
Explore diverse operating facilities with in-depth tours and workshops.
After each tour will be a group debrief:
- Group Observations and Question & Answer Session
- Learn from the unique perspectives of facilitators and fellow participants
- Group Discussion comparing elements of engaging a workforce and developing a culture of continuous improvement
Event Learning Objectives
Experience the unique Japanese Culture, get a deeper understanding of values like respect, cleanliness, and discipline, and how these are embedded in day-to-day life and work environments.
- Kaizen training with Japanese sensei: learn core concepts of the Kaizen philosophy direct on the shop-floor
- Visit several mature Kaizen companies and learn firsthand from their leadership
- See elements of the Lean principles in real life, like visual management, standard work, and problem-solving
Group Networking and Events
We will take advantage of the unique location during the event to offer several group networking opportunities. We will offer group dinners during the event to promote collaboration between participant companies. Each evening, we will also offer plans to enjoy the local culture.
Guest Information
Hotel Accommodation
5 nights (Sunday - Friday)
Central locations will allow for co-located hotel accommodation and learning sessions in the heart of each city. This will also offer proximity to restaurants, bars, and other attractions.
We will provide additional information regarding local attractions during the event.