Kaizen, the renowned Japanese business philosophy that has revolutionized industries worldwide, traces its roots back to Japan’s post-World War II era. Originating in the manufacturing sector, Kaizen’s principles have since transcended industry boundaries, shaping how businesses approach continuous improvement and efficiency.

After being introduced by an American, Kaizen was first practiced in Japanese businesses after World War II, and most notably as part of The Toyota Way. It has since spread throughout the world and has been applied to environments outside of business and productivity.

Kaizen has its roots in Japan, where it is a widespread practice. The word Kaizen is Japanese in origin, being made of ‘Kai’, which means change, and ‘Zen’, which means good. Kaizen, therefore, means changing for the better. The methodology was in use in the US before World War II, after which it entered Japan.

Kaizen comes from the Japanese words for good and change, change for the better, or improvement. From the philosophical perspective, Kaizen promotes a mindset where small incremental changes ultimately create a notable impact over time.

Originating in post-World War II Japanese manufacturing to enhance productivity and efficiency, the Kaizen approach has since been adopted globally across various industries.