Summary of "Why Hondas Run Great - JIT Manufacturing, 5S Methodology and Kaizen"

Japanese manufacturing starts by eliminating the seven wastes known as the seven muda, including overprocessing, superfluous inventory, transportation waste, overproduction, waiting time, producing defective parts, and propagation waste.

Just in Time Manufacturing (JIT) was born out of necessity in war-ravaged Japan, where Honda had to sell finished products to finance raw materials for the next production.
JIT is enabled by the 5S methodology: Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain, which ensures a clean and organized workstation for efficient production.
Kaizen, meaning continuous improvement, is achieved through constant small improvements based on feedback and observations from employees at all levels.
Honda uses the "five whys" technique to identify and solve root problems, leading to continuous improvement and reliability in their products.
Honda's approach to manufacturing focuses on individual authority, allowing employees to make improvements and innovations at every level of production.
Japan's success in motorcycle manufacturing was achieved by respecting the authority of every worker, leading to continuous improvements and innovation.