Sakichi Toyoda
Encyclopedia
was a Japan
ese inventor and industrialist. He was born in Kosai
, Shizuoka
. The son of a poor carpenter
, Toyoda is referred to as the "King of Japanese Inventors".
Co., Ltd.
He invented numerous weaving
devices. His most famous invention was the automatic power loom
in which he implemented the principle of Jidoka
(autonomous automation
). The principle of Jidoka, which means that the machine stops itself when a problem occurs, became later a part of the Toyota Production System
.
Toyoda developed the concept of 5 Whys
: When a problem occurs, ask 'why' five times to try to
find the source of the problem, then put into place something to prevent the problem from recurring. This concept is used today as part of applying lean methodologies
to solve problems, improve quality, and reduce costs.
, who would become the president of Toyota between 1941 and 1950; and in due course, Shoichiro Toyoda became president of the company between 1982 and 1992. His 52-year old son, Akio Toyoda, was the chief contender for the office of president when Katsuaki Watanabe
relinquished that post to become Chairman; and the expectation was confirmed in 2009.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese inventor and industrialist. He was born in Kosai
Kosai, Shizuoka
is a city located in far western Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 60,582 and a density of 699 persons per km². The total area is 85.65 km².-Geography:...
, Shizuoka
Shizuoka Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region on Honshu island. The capital is the city of Shizuoka.- History :Shizuoka prefecture was formed from the former Tōtōmi, Suruga and Izu provinces.The area was the home of the first Tokugawa Shogun...
. The son of a poor carpenter
Carpenter
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
, Toyoda is referred to as the "King of Japanese Inventors".
Career
Sakichi Toyoda is often referred to as the father of the Japanese industrial revolution. He is also the founder of Toyota IndustriesToyota Industries
Toyota Industries Corporation is a Japanese machine maker. Originally a manufacturer of automatic looms, it is the company from which Toyota Motor Corporation developed.-History:...
Co., Ltd.
He invented numerous weaving
Weaving
Weaving is a method of fabric production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced at right angles to form a fabric or cloth. The other methods are knitting, lace making and felting. The longitudinal threads are called the warp and the lateral threads are the weft or filling...
devices. His most famous invention was the automatic power loom
Power loom
A power loom is a mechanized loom powered by a line shaft. The first power loom was designed in 1784 by Edmund Cartwright and first built in 1785. It was refined over the next 47 years until a design by Kenworthy and Bullough, made the operation completely automatic. This was known as the...
in which he implemented the principle of Jidoka
Autonomation
Autonomation describes a feature of machine design to effect the principle of used in the Toyota Production System and Lean manufacturing. It may be described as "intelligent automation" or "automation with a human touch." This type of automation implements some supervisory functions rather than...
(autonomous automation
Autonomous automation
Autonomous automation refers to 'the use of autonomous software agents to adapt the controllers of computer controlled industrial machinery and processes'----...
). The principle of Jidoka, which means that the machine stops itself when a problem occurs, became later a part of the Toyota Production System
Toyota Production System
The Toyota Production System is an integrated socio-technical system, developed by Toyota, that comprises its management philosophy and practices. The TPS organizes manufacturing and logistics for the automobile manufacturer, including interaction with suppliers and customers...
.
Toyoda developed the concept of 5 Whys
5 Whys
The 5 Whys is a questions-asking method used to explore the cause/effect relationships underlying a particular problem. Ultimately, the goal of applying the 5 Whys method is to determine a root cause of a defect or problem.- Example :...
: When a problem occurs, ask 'why' five times to try to
find the source of the problem, then put into place something to prevent the problem from recurring. This concept is used today as part of applying lean methodologies
Lean manufacturing
Lean manufacturing, lean enterprise, or lean production, often simply, "Lean," is a production practice that considers the expenditure of resources for any goal other than the creation of value for the end customer to be wasteful, and thus a target for elimination...
to solve problems, improve quality, and reduce costs.
Family tree
The descendants of Sakichi Toyoda who established Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, have long dominated the upper management of Toyota Motors, which was incorporated in 1937. Shoichiro Toyoda was born in Nagoya on February 17, 1925, the son of Kiichiro ToyodaKiichiro Toyoda
was a Japanese entrepreneur and the son of Toyoda Loom Works founder Sakichi Toyoda. His decision to take Toyoda Loom Works into automobile manufacturing would create what would eventually become Toyota Motor Corporation, the world's largest automobile manufacturer....
, who would become the president of Toyota between 1941 and 1950; and in due course, Shoichiro Toyoda became president of the company between 1982 and 1992. His 52-year old son, Akio Toyoda, was the chief contender for the office of president when Katsuaki Watanabe
Katsuaki Watanabe
is vice chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation. He was president and CEO of the company before Akio Toyoda assumed those positions on June 23, 2009.Watanabe, who earned a degree in economics from Tokyo's Keio University, joined Toyota upon graduating from that university in 1964.He has gained...
relinquished that post to become Chairman; and the expectation was confirmed in 2009.