Six Sigma in Japan

Here is a question I honestly don’t know the answer to. Do companies in Japan use Six Sigma?

When I say Six Sigma I am referring to someone following the standard DMAIC roadmap in attempts to reduce variation, defects, etc. More advanced users may also be using Design for Six Sigma in which case they could be using the DMADV or IDOV roadmaps.

We all know many (not all) companies in Japan use variations of lean and TPS… but what about Six Sigma? If you have any idea please chime in by clicking on the comments link below. Thanks in advance.

Ron Pereira

Ron has more than 20 years of experience in various manufacturing, supply chain, and senior leadership roles. Ron has held the titles of process engineer, engineering manager, master black belt, and director of manufacturing & continuous improvement. In 2002 Ron was the first American to win the Nokia Global Six Sigma and Overall Quality award in Helsinki, Finland. Ron holds a bachelor's degree in automated manufacturing and an MBA in technology management.

S.Z.
September 9, 2007 - 9:01 pm
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I can’t be sure, but I don’t think so.

I believe Six-Sigma is more of a western way of problem solving and the Japanese prefer to stay with the PDCA process coupled with a strong kaizen philosophy.

Interested to hear from people in Japan or those who have actually been there.
Pete Abilla
September 10, 2007 - 3:27 am
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Yes — well, an American company with a location in Japan — Amazon.jp has a very strong Six Sigma program and my close friend is running it.
Ron Pereira
September 10, 2007 - 12:23 pm
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Hi Pete – Does Amazon practice any lean as well? If so, what are the dynamics in Japan when you compare the two?
Michael Marx
September 10, 2007 - 12:41 pm
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I know of several companies in Japan who have had great success with Six Sigma: Sony, Shimano, and Toshiba. Other companies using Six Sigma include Canon, Hitachi, Japan Airlines, Matsushita Electric, Mitsubishi, Nippon Yusen, and Sumitomo.

For a lengthy discussion on the subject (dating back to 2001) visit the iSixSigma Forum archives for the thread “Six Sigma at Japan”

http://www.isixsigma.com/forum/showthread.asp?messageID=2314
Ron Pereira
September 10, 2007 - 7:59 pm
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Thanks for all the comments folks! I learned something new today.
greenbelt01
April 23, 2009 - 7:02 am
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Friends,

Enterprise system, which Japan’s Taiichi Ohno used as a model for the Toyota production system , did not let him down during bad economic times. The reason was that Ford had a comprehensive lean manufacturing system that applied to every aspect of the business.

Thanks,

http://www.greenbelt6sigma.com,
Green Belt Six Sigma Training.