Consultants
Mitsuyoshi Harada
Mitsuyoshi Harada is a Senior Consultant at Shingijutsu Global Consulting, bringing more than 45 years of experience in manufacturing operations and continuous improvement based on the Toyota Production System (TPS). He began his consulting career with Shingijutsu Global Consulting in 2022, following a long tenure at Toyota Auto Body Co., Ltd.
He joined Toyota Auto Body in 1975 and was initially assigned to the assembly department at the Fujimatsu Headquarters Plant. During his early career, he gained extensive hands-on experience in assembly line operations, body production processes, and quality improvement within manufacturing engineering functions. He was also involved in the launch of multiple passenger vehicle and commercial vehicle production programs.
Over the years, he assumed broader responsibilities, including policy deployment (Hoshin Kanri), proposal development, and purchasing management. He actively promoted daily Kaizen activities and contributed to the development of karakuri mechanisms, multi-process handling (nagara) automation, and material handling systems such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs). His expertise extended to leveled production (Heijunka), standardized work, JIT-based logistics, and Jidoka (automation with a human touch).
From 2000 onward, he served as a Kaizen leader within Toyota Auto Body’s autonomous study groups, promoting production leveling and standardization across multiple plants. In 2004, he was transferred to the Inabe Plant as Section Head, where he played a key role in launching the HiAce and Alphard production lines. He further strengthened productivity by reducing non-value-added work, integrating logistics and line operations, and implementing flexible manpower systems.
In 2012, he was promoted to General Manager of the Body Department, focusing on workplace management and SQCD (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery) visualization from a management perspective. He also supported overseas affiliates in Malaysia and Thailand in welding management, standardization, and cost reduction initiatives. After retiring from Toyota Auto Body in 2022, he joined Shingijutsu Global Consulting and continues to contribute as an advisor in QC Circle activities.