Sakichi Toyoda

Sakichi Toyoda (1867 – 1930) was a Japanese inventor, industrialist and the founder of Toyota Industries Co., Ltd. Sakichi Toyoda revolutionized the textiles industry in Japan He is sometimes called the Japanese Thomas Edison.

Sakichi Toyoda’s 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, later became a part of the Toyota Production System (TPS).

Sakichi Toyoda is also famous for development of the concept of 5 Whys: When a problem occurs, ask “why” five times in order 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.

Full name: Sakichi Toyoda

Born: February 14, 1867, Kosai, Shizuoka, Japan

Died: October 30, 1930 (aged 63)

Company: Toyota Boshoku Corporation, Toyota Industries