Designed for senior executives, business leaders, public sector leaders, quality professionals and transformation leaders, the programme provides direct exposure to the management principles, systems and practices that have shaped some of Japan’s most respected organisations.
Participants will learn from experienced Japanese quality leaders, visit leading organisations, observe the Toyota Production System in practice and attend Japan’s National Quality Control Circle Convention. The focus is not simply on observation, but on understanding how strategy, quality, people and continuous improvement are integrated to produce sustained organisational performance.
The demands placed upon today’s leaders have never been greater. Organisations must improve performance while navigating technological change, evolving customer expectations, workforce transformation and increasing global competition.
Amid this complexity, Japan continues to command global respect for its enduring commitment to organisational excellence. In spite of what economic climate portrays, for decades, Japanese organisations have demonstrated that sustainable success is built through a management philosophy that aligns leadership, people, processes and purpose around continual improvement. This programme gives you the opportunity to experience that philosophy where it was developed and where it continues to evolve.
Through Executive Masterclasses, engagement with Japanese facilitators and organisational leaders, visits to leading organisations including a Toyota production facility, and attendance at Japan’s National Quality Control Circle Convention, you will gain insights that extend far beyond the classroom.
Many nations have produced successful organisations. Few have consistently built organisations that remain admired across generations. Japan is one of those rare exceptions.
For more than seventy years, Japanese organisations have demonstrated the power of disciplined leadership, continual improvement, respect for people and management systems that align purpose, process and performance. Principles such as Kaizen, Total Quality Management, Quality Control Circles, Hoshin Kanri, Lean Thinking and Respect for People have influenced organisations across manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, government, education and many other sectors.
Japan’s significance is therefore not simply about its products or factories. Its deeper contribution is a management philosophy that enables organisations to learn continuously, improve relentlessly and create lasting value.
This programme is not about copying Japan. It is about understanding the principles behind enduring excellence and learning how to apply them within your own organisation.
DHIQC has maintained strong connections with JUSE, the pioneers of this Business Management Science and related Japanese industry and business leaders since the 1970s. The collaboration with JUSE has led to many Study Missions from Europeans over the ensuing decades, involving access to top companies in varying industries.
Note: JUSE, established in 1947 during the American Occupation following World War II, was created by numerous leading Japanese companies to provide educational support for the revival of their industries. Initially serving as a capacity-building organisation, JUSE evolved into the headquarters of the International Quality Circles movement, which encompasses approximately 35 countries in the Far East. Further, it is the custodian of prestigious awards, including the Deming Prize and various national and international recognitions. DHI has maintained its alliance with JUSE since 1978.
There are many ways to visit Japan. This programme is designed differently. It combines exclusive access, authentic Japanese expertise, executive learning, practical observation, facilitated reflection and a structured pathway towards implementation.
For more than four decades, the programme has introduced executives to the principles and practices that have made Japan a global reference point for quality, operational excellence and continuous improvement.
What Makes the Experience Different?
Our long standing collaboration with JUSE and leading Japanese organisations provides opportunities rarely available through conventional business visits.
David Hutchins and Kola Olutimehin combine deep Japanese Business Management Science expertise with extensive international transformation experience.
Experienced Japanese facilitators, instructors and organisational leaders bring authentic practical insight.
Two live Executive Masterclasses establish the foundation for your learning before departure.
Visit leading organisations and observe management principles being applied in real operational environments.
Experience the principles behind one of the world’s most influential management and production systems.
Witness employee engagement, structured problem solving and continuous improvement demonstrated through real organisational improvement projects.
Explore how Japanese Business Management Science is applied in healthcare and other service environments.
Facilitated executive discussions help connect what you observe with the realities of your own organisation.
The programme includes an Executive Implementation Consultation to help sponsoring organisations translate learning into practical organisational priorities.
The programme is led by two internationally respected practitioners whose combined experience spans more than seven decades.
DAVID HUTCHINS
International Authority on Japanese Business Management Science
For more than five decades, David Hutchins has worked closely with JUSE, leading Japanese organisations and international business leaders to advance Total Quality Management, Quality Control Circles, Hoshin Kanri, continuous improvement and organisational excellence.
His contribution has been recognised through the prestigious presentation of the Deming Distinguished Practice Award, one of the highest international honours in quality management and organisational excellence, and one received by very few non-Japanese practitioners.
Since 1979, David has led Executive Study Missions to Japan, providing senior leaders with privileged access to Japanese organisations and helping them understand the philosophy behind enduring organisational excellence.
Why learn with David?
Because few people outside Japan have spent a lifetime developing trusted relationships with the organisations, institutions and thought leaders that shaped modern Japanese management.
KOLA OLUTIMEHIN
International Business Transformation Consultant
Kola Olutimehin is an internationally experienced Business Transformation Consultant and CEO of MakeWay Global. For more than three decades, he has helped organisations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia apply Japanese Business Management Science to organisational transformation.
His work focuses on translating management principles into measurable improvements in organisational performance, leadership effectiveness, employee engagement and customer value. As Co-Director for this Programme, Kola helps participants bridge the gap between learning and implementation, in order to attain desired outcomes.
Why Learn with Kola Olutimehin?
Because understanding Japanese management is only the beginning, Kola helps participants answer the question that matters most: ‘How do we make this work in our own organisation?’ His international consulting experience ensures that the lessons learned in Japan are translated into practical actions that create lasting organisational value.
AN EXCEPTIONAL INTERNATIONAL FACULTY
David and Kola are joined by distinguished Japanese facilitators, instructors, organisational leaders, and other international associates from the Global Excellence Team (GET), creating a faculty that combines authentic Japanese expertise with international implementation experience.
Together, they help participants move beyond observation towards understanding, application and transformation.
Japanese Faculty
Distinguished facilitators, instructors and subject matter experts who have built successful careers within leading Japanese organisations before moving into executive education and academia.
Their teaching is grounded in real organisational experience.
Executive Hosts
Senior executives from participating organisations who share first hand perspectives on leadership, culture, operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Programme Faculty and Support Team
Specialists supporting programme delivery, executive learning, reflection and post programme implementation. Throughout the programme, participants also learn from fellow executives representing different countries, industries and sectors.
Some of the richest learning takes place through conversations between leaders who share a common commitment to organisational excellence.
An Investment in Leadership and in Organisational Excellence
This is an investment in leadership capability, organisational performance and long term excellence. The real value extends beyond the individual participant. Learning can be shared across teams, influence improvement initiatives and contribute to stronger organisational capability.
The real return on this investment is what happens after you return home.
YOUR PROGRAMME INVESTMENT INCLUDES
Executive Learning
Accommodation
Transportation
Recognition
PROGRAMME INVESTMENT
£5,950 (Five thousand, nine hundred and fifty UK pounds) per participant
The Programme Fee covers the programme inclusions outlined above.
Early Registration
An early registration opportunity is available for executives confirming participation by October 31, 2026.
Corporate Participation
Corporate Participation Packages are available for organisations wishing to develop multiple leaders through a shared learning experience.
Please contact us to discuss a tailored proposal. Places are intentionally limited
Participation is intentionally limited to preserve the quality of interaction, facilitate meaningful dialogue with Japanese hosts and maximise the executive learning experience.
Early registration is therefore strongly recommended.
For registration and further information:
Telephone: +44 7884 008919 // +44 1458 224040