Yoji Akao

  There is not just one thing that Dr. Akao can be noted for.  A true advocate of continuous improvement is the best way to sum up Dr. Akao.  As the 24 honorary member of the ASQ, Dr. Akao led many great projects with his development of Quality Function Deployment.  Along with QFD, Dr. Akao developed several other methodologies that became normal practices in Japan.  While methodologies were not foreign to Dr. Akao he was often found advocating strategic initiatives like Hoshin Kanri worldwide.  

  Dr. Akao was not just a doer though, he was very much the pinnacle of sensei, coach and teacher. These great skills for doing and teaching eventually led to Dr. Akao holding positions like Dean of Faculty of Engineering at prestigious schools such as Tamagawa University.    In addition to his work as an educator, Dr. Akao has been active in the Japan quality movement on committees of JSQC, JSA, and JUSE, most notably his service as Chair of the Deming Prize Committee.  His is also past president of JSQC and has been elected Fellow and Honorary member of JSQC.  To Learn more about Dr. Yoji Akao we suggest looking into his book Hoshin Kanri: Policy Deployment for Successful TQM.