Gemba Research, a lean consulting firm, is offering on-site tours of some of Japan’s best lean manufacturing operations. Japan Kaikaku Experience offers a behind-the-scene look at world-class manufacturing operations in a variety of industries. Kaikaku means “in revolution,” or “major change” in Japanese, and the trip is an innovative approach to helping leaders understand and embrace lean principles and rapid culture change.

Gemba Research has led 15 of the tours since 2000, taking more than 250 people from 40 companies. Most of the company’s tours are tailored for each participant’s needs, but it also offers public tours of mixed groups. The next scheduled public tour is May 14–20, 2006.

The Japan Kaikaku Experience is led by Brad Schmidt, Gemba Research managing partner, who’s fluent in Japanese and English. For more information, visit www.gemba.com.

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