Dr. Yoji Akao
Dr. Yoji Akao joined his esteemed colleagues as an honorary member in November of 2009. Dr. Akao was recognized for his distinguished innovation in the development of methodologies for strategic quality management through creation of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and promotion of Hoshin Kanri as significant business improvement practices to stimulate innovation and drive competitive breakthroughs.
Yoji Akao was named ASQ’s 24th Honorary Member. The citation reads: “For distinguished innovation in the development of methodologies for strategic quality management through creation of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and promotion of Hoshin Kanri as significant business improvement practices to stimulate innovation and drive competitive breakthroughs.”
Dr. Akao is the originator and promoter of Quality Function Deployment (QFD) which is a quality methodology that may be applied for creative processing of attribute and technical information about customer requirements for design of a product, service or process into the component of design for that product and further translation of the quality functions into specifications for part and process design to assure traceability of the voice of the customer into the voice of the process.
Akao was also originator of several methodologies (dating back to the 1960s) that evolved into the Japanese practice of strategic quality management known as Hoshin Kanri (often translated as Policy Deployment or Managing by Policy). This is a natural extension of the QFD methodology from its application in development of new products into a comprehensive system for planning a consistent deployment of critical strategic change initiatives and cross-functional improvement projects.
Dr. Akao taught at Yamanashi University and Tamagawa University where he eventually held the position of Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. Upon retirement, he accepted a position as professor of management at the Asahi University School of Business Administration. His is now visiting professor at the Graduate School of Yamagata 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.
Akao’s previous ASQ honors include the Distinguished Service Medal in 2001 and the Shainin Medal in 2006. In 1978 he was awarded the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) Deming Prize for Individuals.