Chapter 4
Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa’s Personality

4.1 Analyzing Professor Ishikawa by QC Methods: His Personality as Shown in
a Questionnaire Survey“What would be a straight forward expression for Professor Kaoru Ishikawa’s
personality?”
Based on 313 primary data contributed by 80 writers for this book, we carried out“analysis” by using the QC Method that Professor Kaoru Ishikawa always said.
First of all the following chart is the result from Pareto Analysis.

As shown by the Pareto chart the greatest number of people referred personality

PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

points were:“Big-hearted and caring”†“Sympathetic, warmhearted, attractive humane, broad minded and generous”“Man of action—a human bulldozer with computer”
Then by using Fishbone Diagram (Cause and Effect Diagram) developed byProfessor Kaoru Ishikawa, the following diagram was made for analyzing the original
data (drawn by Mr. Shiro Ohtake, Kajima Corp.).

From above, Professor’s personality can be explained by following big branches: broad minded, generous and straight speaker Frank, big-hearted and caring Man of action—a human bulldozer with computer Hobbies and habit—communication with drinking, heavy smoking, golf,
photos, flowers, heavy bags, etc.
Among these points we picked the first three which are considered to describe his
character directly and applied these as titles for the following articles of this book. Also
we inserted the most relevant articles among the many contributed. Furthermore, we†

Man who likes to look out for the welfare of others.
66

Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

have analyzed by the quantification method III utilizing the writers’ data and comments
as category. The result comes out like the following. The plot on I-axis and II-axis isshown for reference.

(1) Personality elements plotted around the center are humaneness, generosity, QC
Field contribution, approachability, and hobbies and habit. In addition many
writers recognized Professor Kaoru Ishikawa as: A broad minded, generous QC Field leader; Person who cherishes human relationship (communication withdrinking);(2) The properties of the main axes by the result of analysis are as follows:
It is shown that the I-axis as “thoughtful pursuit of individual real nature(‘methodical,’ ‘acute insight ability’)” and “bold and concrete action (‘effort,’‘bulldozer,’ ‘belief,’ ‘positive,’ ‘practical’),” the II-axis as “earnest
hard-working leader/boss (‘effort,’ ‘systematic,’ ‘boss’)” and “big vision andaction (‘luck,’ ‘bulldozer,’ ‘engineer,’ ‘long term world view’),” and the III-axis
as “a lot of curiosity (‘positive,’ ‘hobby,’ ‘earnest’)” and “knowledgeable andfriendly (‘knowledge,’ ‘luck,’ ‘equality,’ ‘generous’)” at both ends on axis
respectively.
(3) As a next step we carried out an analysis following writers’ grouping andclassification such as affiliation (university, company, association, etc.), status67

PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

positions (professional, consulting company, office, friend/family, etc.),
generations, etc. may show their own trend or not. For instance, professionals
tend to point out his power of action but, on the other hand people incompanies who got his counseling tend to point out his thoughtfulness.
Concretely, sample scores allocated to writers have been analyzed bystratifying with the writers’ grouping, but no difference in trend was foundfrom them. In other words, professor’s personality was equally perceived
regardless of the belonging organizations, status positions and generations.
This explains that Professor Ishikawa did associate himself in equal mannerwith everybody, regardless of their position such as the company president, apromoter or an officer in charge.
Note: The above analysis was assisted by Mr. Shu Yamada, graduate school student ofdoctoral program in Management Science, Kano research laboratory, Science
University of Tokyo.

4.2 A Man of High Caliber, Kind Minded yet Direct

A Generous and Warm-hearted Leader
Rokuro Hattori
Professor Ishikawa and I graduated from the same school, former Tokyo HighSchool. However I hardly have any memories of him at that time. This is probably
because we could not spend the time together; as we were both busy with different sport
clubs, I joined a basketball club and he joined a tennis club.
After the war, I first met Professor Ishikawa after I decided to study Quality
Control. I was so attracted by QC just after listening to a lecture of Professor Den
Hanada at our company in Kyushu. It was the time when I visited Tokyo in order toparticipate in the MC Couse (QC seminar for middle managers, JUSE). As we knew
each other when we were students, he found me sitting at the first row in his lecture, andduring its break time he said smiling at me “I found it hard to give a lecture because you
are sitting there.” This was our starting point.
In the early 1960s Bridgestone where I worked started introducing TQC and theProfessor gave some lectures about general subjects and some lectures for managers andother staff members, and thereafter he gave guidance in various areas. He frequently
68Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

referred to Mr. Ryoichi Kawai, President Komatsu who was our classmates at the highschool, a good example of the creative leader.
I cannot recall the exact year but it was the time when I worked at an affiliatedcompany of Bridgestone in Shizuoka Prefecture. I picked up a phone in my dormitory
ringing at 11 o’clock at night. With a noisy background I heard a husky voice. I
recognized it was that of the Professor.
“Where are you calling from, Professor?” I asked, and then he answered he was at
an inn near the dormitory. He told me that I should join this party after an alumni
reunion of the undergraduate course of Applied Chemistry, the University of Tokyo.
Next to my factory many graduates who majored Applied Chemistry at the Universityof Tokyo work at the factory of Chemical Hoechst. Then, he was probably informed
from the factory manager that I was close to that inn. I still remember that I rushed to go
there, got drunk, and chatted until 1:30 a.m. or 2 a.m. Later, one son of the inn’s owner
graduated from Musashi Institute of Technology; now he works diligently as the factory
executive of our company. It was indeed a very wonderful connection.
If I describe Professor Ishikawa in a brief word, I would like to say “a generous
and warm-hearted leader”. Many people gathered around the Professor because of his
warm heart. At the night of Symposium at Kowakien in Hakone, at the seminars in
Karuizawa, or at overseas conferences, we would discuss matters loudly drinking
whisky and water or Japanese Sake to be around the heavy smoker, Professor Ishikawa,in blinding smoke.
This good practice is succeeded to his followers and generates the occasions ofcommunication among QC pursuers.
The respect and popularity of the Professor were enormous, not only in domestic
Japan but also in foreign countries. At international conferences for instance, people that
I met in the local town during intervals asked me whether I knew Professor Ishikawa or
not as soon as I was recognized as Japanese. Then they would talk happily and proudlythat they have met him personally or that they walked with him on some occasions. It
was a common and usual scene.
Frankly to say that the Professor was not good at English. However, he attracted
many people even foreigners gathered around him.
I regret now that we cannot see the Professor again. However his lessons remain in
all over the world and grow steadily. I think the Professor is also satisfied with this.
(Former Senior Executive Director, Bridgestone Corp.)

69

PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

Ability Warmly Embracing Everything
Yukio Horie
There is a very common saying that “Time Flies Like an Arrow” and this fits very
well in the context of the Professor. It has already been 3 years since Professor Kaoru
Ishikawa passed away and it appears to be matter of yesterday!
Since he guided me even I was immature and I regarded him as an affectionate
father, I was with great sorrow and bewildered just like a boat that lost its steering when
I heard that he passed away. When I picture those days in reminiscence, his ardent
guiding figure yet with a gentle look on his face at all times came up in mind just like amatter of yesterday. Even today I feel sadness and regret welling up in my heart.
Japan has obtained its current national power of a leading economic country as aneffort of the promotion of the Total Quality Control. This was done so through special
efforts made by Professor Ishikawa and many experts in this field, in particular I feelthat it is not an exaggeration to say that Professor Ishikawa was an outstanding figure inthis respect, and that he is the great benefactor who established Japan’s World Leading
Economy with its quality superiority.
The Professor’s broad-mindedness was in his great ability embracing everything
and he viewed everything from the global angle. He keenly taught people with passion,
regardless of their company size or their position in it.
I have run my company following his teaching as my divine inspiration.
For over 30 years’ of Professor’s training and guidance since 1952, we have held
the QC Circle Conventions with his initiative and instruction. This year counted as our
18th, and now we are able to expand it as a world convention.
His inspiration initiated a “Top Management Seminar for Cooperating Companies,”
and this has already counted as 16 consecutive events. He always attended the seminarwith his wife, guided group discussions in the daytime. At night he would restart andhold ardent QC talks at the QC Bar without caring about the passing of time, whichstarted by the suggestion of the Professor. I remember and miss his figure talking
frankly to every participant without showing his great status or position.
I have countless memories of Professor Ishikawa. I wish to further contribute to thenation and society in my capacity by surely continuing to practice his teachings. I firmly
believe that this way I can repay Professor Ishikawa with gratitude, and I will continue
to do so.
(President, Pentel Co., Ltd.)

70

Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

Professor Ishikawa at first row of center right rushed to attend fromhis hospital at Pentel QC Top Management Seminar for
Cooperating Companies (24th March 1989)

In the Palm of Prof. Ishikawa’s Hand
Tadasu Fujita
In the Chinese novel Journey to the West, there is an episode where Sun Wukong istrying his best to flourish, but realizes he is still within Buddha’s palm. Thinking back, I
also find myself like Sun Wukong, running around within Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa’s palm.
Prof. Ishikawa’s palms were very broad and accepted both good and evil. He would
attentively listen to someone like me who would deliver weird theories, but if I try todeviate from the boundaries, he would just issue an alert.
When we established the Problem Solving Procedure, now being used for QC
Circle activities, such an alert was issued. Professor Ishikawa had the opinion that QC
circle activities should be conducted under the circle members’ own will, and not undera framework such as procedures. I insisted that it would be easier to conduct theactivities if there was a certain framework, and pushed through. When we went out for adrink, Professor Ishikawa sometimes mentioned this episode and said “Mr. Fujita could
be persistent.”
We made a video of this “Problem Solving Procedures” using ideas different fromconventional QC, and this was released by JUSE Press in June 1989. Naturally, all thoseconcerned began to question, “Had Professor Ishikawa seen this video, what would he71

PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

have said?” I knew that not only I but also a lot of people cared Professor Ishikawa’s
opinion when we tried something different from his mind.
Whenever I shook hands with Professor Ishikawa, his palm was soft, moist, andwarm just like melting people’s hearts. Now that palm is gone. Due to no warning ofProf. Ishikawa, someone like me who kept running around the edge of his palm isforced to live constant strain. In other words, I was able to do anything as I like because
I had the framework of Professor Ishikawa’s palm.
(Director, Fujita Management Institute,
Formerly of Kawasaki Steel)

Sermon Demon with Respect to Humanity
Tatsuo Ikezawa
1. In any time behave himself along with “Respect to Humanity”
This is a story about 20 years ago around 1968, when I visited the K Company
with Professor Ishikawa for QC counseling. We happened to have a drink at a counterbar of Nishitetsu Grand Hotel in Fukuoka where we stayed. At that night there was
nobody except us in the bar and the manager-cum-bartender. We talked about QC for awhile but there seemed to be no show of customers, and I started to wonder with a bit of
doubtful mind whether this bar can run in such slack sales.
Then all of a sudden Professor Ishikawa asked the bartender-cum-manager, “Howdo you intend to run this bar?” The manager was surprised at this question and flurried
for a moment. He must not have been asked such a question from customers before.
Professor Ishikawa did not hold back from speaking, and carried questions after
questions of what he wanted to say such as “By what means do you gather customers?”
The manager seemed to be in a trouble answering them. While listening to it silently I
initially thought “Indeed this is why Professor Ishikawa is called a Sermon Demon”, but
gradually I started to worry that the young bartender might get angry and shout back.
The sermon lasted half an hour as no other customers appeared.
To my astonishment the stubborn-faced manager said in the end with a smile “Youare absolutely right. I appreciate your valuable opinion. Please come back again!” I was
surprised at the Professor’s marvelous power of sermon. I cannot forget this scene even
now after 20 years have passed.
When one comes to realize the Professor’s character that he views matters at thestandpoint of his counterpart and communicates with respect to humanity, he/she72

Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

naturally comes to agree with him.
I assume that there were not a few staff even at JUSE, who were preached asermon by the Professor. Although many admired Professor Ishikawa who put himself
in other people’s shoes, there seems to be nobody who hated him. It owes his integrity
indeed. The Professor can be called in fact a Missionary in the TQC field as he lived
through with QC Circle’s fundamental idea of “Respect to Humanity” and his “Allhuman beings are good by nature.”
2. Political prophet
Since Professor Kaoru Ishikawa passed away in 1989, these 2 years have brought
drastic changes: the unification of East / West Germany started from the Teardown of
Berlin Wall, and the collapse of socialism in East European countries.
I had the opportunity to visit East European countries as a team member of the 21st
JUSE Overseas QC Study Team in June 1991. I observed East Berlin followed by
Hungary, Poland and Czechoslovakia.
During the trip I always recalled Professor Ishikawa’s words: “Generally they use
the words like capitalism, socialism and communism, but I consider them as freeeconomy and controlled economy” (Refer to p. 35 in his book What is Total Quality
Control? The Japanese Way). Unlike theoretically-minded politicians, the Professor
probably mentioned his honest opinions from his international experience. It is not too
much to say that the changes over these 2 years have followed what Professor Ishikawa
said.
Also in the article called “The way of politics; do not control, but stimulate” (p.34),
in the same Book, he mentioned that “Government officers, regardless of their countries,
like regulative control, especially in countries of communism... I think the government
should not regulate and control the private sectors but give various stimulations instead.”
I consider it as a wise remark that I wish the present officers in Japan would learn that.
(Professor, School of Science and Engineering, Waseda University)73PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

Professor Ishikawa as My Teacher of Life
Kozo Koura
I met Professor Ishikawa for the first time when I was a staff at the Central Quality
Control Committee of Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd. while we were challenging the Deming
Prize Examination (1963 awarded). Soon after I visited U.S.A. as a member of the 2nd
JUSE Overseas QC Study Team, I have received much of Professor’s intimate guidance
for the country-wide promotion of QC Circle activities as the first secretary general of
the QC Circle’s Kanto Regional Branch. This directed my life with a principle of theProfessor’s “way of living.”
In those days, among the stories which Ishikawa told us, there was one just afterWorld War II. I heard that, when Professor faced the postwar time, he left these words ata farewell occasion: “When you hear the name Ishikawa, please think of a man making
efforts to reconstruct Japan.” This words remain in my heart without fading.
At the time when I retired from Nihon Kayaku at my retiring age, he immediately
arranged for me to deliver lectures of various seminars and company guidance as a
JUSE Counselor. My first counseling with the Professor was for Rhythm Watch Co.,
Ltd, which was about to undertake the Deming Prize Examination. Following this I
asked the Professor to guide me as the chief for TOKAI PULP & PAPER Co., Ltd,
Dainippon Printing Ink Manufacturing, and so on, and to lead TQC introductions andpromotions. I cannot forget how soon the Professor attended the All Company(International) QC Circle Convention of Dainippon Ink and Chemicals even right after
he had left the hospital, and how he participated at the Steering Committee of Tokai
Pulp, while suffering from his serious condition at his re-hospitalized time. At the firststeering committee, Tokai Pulp received his guidance of “There is an immediate
effectiveness in traditional Chinese medicine” (Note: TQC as a traditional Chinese medicine is
generally considered to have a long lasting effect). As a result of his contribution, they haverecovered from their days of deficit, and now aim at setting up their new corporate
vision. Also since1979 the Professor introduced me to the position of Quality Control
lecturer at the Saitama Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering.
My joint work with the Professor titled “Control Points of Quality” which received
the 1979 Nikkei Quality Control Literature Prize is an important memorabilia.
(Lecturer, Saitama Institute of Technology;
Formally of Nihon Kayaku)

74

Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

On The Buddha’s Palm
Shoji Shiba
There is an old story of Sun Wukong (Monkey King) running around with all his
energy, only to find himself within the Buddha’s palm. As for myself, I would study
hard, think, critically and invent ideas the best I can, and then understand completely.
But when I thought this again the next day, I realized that such ideas had already been
mentioned or practiced by Professor Ishikawa. I had experienced this on manyoccasions. Moreover, as far as the QC is concerned, this will be happened without failon every occasion.
The recent example was that, in order to develop the future of the company, “Logic
beyond current company logic is needed.” We see a big limitation on the way ofJapanese companies. Many people think that it is no good when we remain at thepresent situation, and I strongly feel the same.
At this point, I received a remarkable suggestion from Doctor Russell L. Ackoff,
who is the authority of OR (Operations Research). Through this, I began to understandthe phenomena that I previously had not recognized. I noticed “going over company’s
logic” was the secret source of the reason why QC Circle activity has spread all over thecompanies, industries and even countries.
Among 3 fundamental principles of QC Circle I can say that the improvement anddevelopment of company constitution could be the “company logic”. On the other hand,the 2 other principles, “respect for humanity” and “infinite development of humanability,” are surely logic over this. “Yes indeed, that is why I now understand.” I had afeeling of a fresh discovery in my mind.
At that very moment, I suddenly pictured in my eyes Professor Ishikawa calmly
smiling at me, and I heard his voice saying, “Did you understand finally?”(Professor, Social Engineering, Tsukuba University)

4.3 Plain-Speaking Leader, You Could Count on

Prof. Ishikawa and I
Masashi Asao
I met Professor Ishikawa for the first time when I took part in the 3rd QC Basic
75

PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

Course held by JUSE in the Mitsui O.S.K Line Building, Yaesu exit. I remember he wasgiving a lecture on sampling.
After that day, I started to get involved in his promotional endeavors of QC in the
Kansai region. I have many good memories of him, and would like to introduce some ofthem here to you.
The first memory is from the spring of 1955. Mr. Kazufumi Seki from Toyobo set
up a gathering, and we played mahjong with the Professor in their dormitory which
company ran in Kitahama, Osaka. The dorm janitor asked how much Japanese Sake weneeded and Mr. Seki answered one bottle each. There were four 1.8 liter bottles of Sakein the room at the beginning of the night, and I was amazed to see them all empty in themorning after the all-night mahjong session.
It was my first night out without informing my wife of my whereabouts, so I
decided to ask Professor Ishikawa to write down on his business card what we had been
doing, as a proof that I was with him all night. This was talked about by him many times
after.
The second episode is from 1959, when I took the 2nd State Professional Engineer
Examination. Professor Ishikawa happened to be my examiner at the interview test heldin Tokyo.
First, he wondered what questions to ask, and then mentioned the stagnant businesssituation surrounding my company at that time. He said to me, “You are one employee
member of the company but why has it happened?” It sounded like he was blaming me
for the situation, despite the fact that I was just a young 37-year-old section manager. I
was really not sure what to answer.
Professor Ishikawa had been enthusiastically promoting QC and was confident of
its effects, so I then understood that he was actually trying to encourage me to work
harder. Fortunately, he let me pass the exam.
My third memory is from the time we published Product Liability (JUSE Press)
written and edited under the name of Professor Ishikawa. I was hesitant to write as I felt
I had not done enough research, but he encouraged me saying, “You may feel you areembarrassing yourself by writing a book, but you can regard it as a steppingstone andgrow.”I am still so grateful for these words as I believe they eventually formed the basisof my current situations where I can acquire information of product liability at aninternational level.
In 1990, I attended the annual meeting held in Milwaukee as an IAQ member,which I became due to Professor Ishikawa’s recommendation. This was an opportunity
76Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

to witness the cooperative bonds between those in the QC field of the international
arena.
(Advisor and Former Senior Managing Director, Tanabe Seiyaku Co., Ltd.)

Memory of Professor Ishikawa
Ikuro Kusaba
When I hesitated to make a clear decision on daily problems, such as at theeducation field, in associating with company people, human relations and so forth, I
thought Pro. Ishikawa, what did he make the decision about it. Considering Prof.
Ishikawa’s decision, I quite often followed it.
This was probably because, during our long-term friendship since 1949, I observedthat the great majority of what Professor had initiated resulted in success.
He pursued things thoroughly until he was convinced. He sometimes appeared tobe easy going, but his care was precise. He looked not only after his students, but also
looked after everybody. That’s why there were no any factions like the Ishikawa School.
The Professor was an extremely fast reader. When I was in Musashi Institute ofTechnology, a document that had been sent to him from abroad was circulated from the
President room. When I opened it, I noticed that important points were underlined andmarked. He took information and knowledge rapidly even at his busy time, and indeed,
hardly anybody would be able to catch this.
When the Professor traveled to Malaysia, the customs officer asked him while
examining his passport, “Are you Mr. Ishikawa who invented Ishikawa Diagram (Causeand effect Diagram)?”, and his affirmative response of “Yes” gave him a better
treatment. He related this episode with a wry smile saying, “It never happens in Japan.”and I thought he was more famous in overseas.
Although there might be better English speakers, the Professor had a great powerin his talks to persuade even foreign people.
There are some famous people who give inaccessible, overbearing atmospherefrom time to time. The Professor, in contrast, did not have it at all, and even at QC
Circle conventions he talked to the participants in a friendly manner. In such a way I
have associated with him with freedom and ease, but only nowadays I come to realize
deeply his greatness.
(Professor Emeritus, Nagoya Inst. of Technology)

77

PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

In the Lobby of Anchorage Airport
Kamematsu Matsuda
The night of August 10, 1982, it was a sweltering evening, as if I was standing infront of a burning furnace. By putting on suit with a tie, having a 10 kg suitcase, sweat
was running down my back and I felt like I was almost suffocated. Despite this, I was
excited about the trip to Europe. I was hurrying to Narita airport to travel as the editorialcommittee member to celebrate the 20th anniversary of FQC Magazine and its
circulation of 100,000 copies.
When I arrived at the lobby of Narita Airport check-in counter, more than half of
my fellow were already relaxing there. Some of them had taken their jackets off andopened their shirt collar, and some were more relaxed in their polo shirts. I saw Dr.
Ishikawa among them, putting on the uniform of QC Circle Cruising Seminar with his
lips tightened but his eyes smiling.
“Ishikawa-sensei, that jacket is very useful, isn’t it?” I asked.
“Yes, this jacket has many pockets” Dr. Ishikawa replied.
At that time I thought to myself, why did I wear a suit with a tie in a hot weather? I
learned Dr. Ishikawa’s flexibility in choosing suitable clothes.
We departed from Narita airport at 22:30, and reached Anchorage at arounddaybreak. We moved on to the passengers lobby during refueling. When I looked
around, I noticed Dr. Ishikawa chatting with a couple of people who were also waiting
their flights during refueling. After coming back from the souvenir, I came across Dr.
Ishikawa again talking to a different person with a slightly bent forward.
“Whenever I am at Anchorage, I run into some acquaintances.” He told me when
we were back on the plane and he was sitting next to me.
Indeed, a lot of planes stopped by Anchorage to refuel. However, it is not frequent
that a plane of the acquaintance arrives coincides with my plane at the same time on thesame day. However, Dr. Ishikawa always met someone at Anchorage. I was reallysurprised by his showing how wide the social relationship he had.
We will never have the opportunity to learn from Dr. Ishikawa again. If, on the way
to heaven, there is a passengers lobby like Anchorage, I hope that I may run into Dr.
Ishikawa chatting with someone.
(Director, Kyushu Creative Technology Institute,
Formerly of Nippon Steel)78

Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

Prof. Ishikawa, Memories of a Godfather
Akira Iwata
After World War II, I was lucky enough to join Nissan Motors, where from
relatively early stage, I began the research and study of quality control. For 30 years I
was engaged in the promotion of QC activities, and so Dr. Ishikawa was a truly
significant figure for me.
I first had the chance to personally interact with Dr. Ishikawa when Nissan Motors
had decided to apply for the Deming Prize in 1958–1959, and had requested Dr.
Ishikawa to lead our company-wide QC training and onsite counseling. As the contact
person of QC Promotion Division, I received detailed guidance from Dr. Ishikawa.
During the onsite counseling, some managers who believed exclusively in thetechnologies unique to Nissan Motors were infuriated by Dr. Ishikawa’s candid remarks
and began to complain that they have had enough of Dr. Ishikawa’s counsel, whichreally troubled us. That is how difficult it was to promote the concept of control backthen.
Dr. Ishikawa kept an earnest interest in the promotion of the QC activities of ourcompany as well as our affiliated companies. He occasionally gave us a scolding as wellas numerous advices. He gave a huge support to make Nissan’s QC nowadays.
About 10 years ago, Dr. Ishikawa gave me various advices when I left the QC
Department before the imminent retirement, and was appointed to the establishment of
the college for automobile maintenance service, which was planned as part of the
support system for our dealers.
Due to joining the K2 Climbing Team of the Waseda University Alpine Club as a
student member, my second son had difficult time to get a job at Kajima Corporation.
My son and I visited Dr. Ishikawa for counsel. Dr. Ishikawa said, “You’re an alpinist,
you should do well,” and immediately made arrangements to help my son get a job at
Kajima Corporation. These episodes show the side of Dr. Ishikawa like a God-father,and my son and I are still grateful for his kindness.
Now Dr. Ishikawa has passed away. I cannot repress the feelings of deep grief
when I recall Dr. Ishikawa’s office at the University of Tokyo, and his house in
Tobitakyu that I had visited numerous times both publicly and privately, and his kindcaring face in the president’s room at Musashi Institute of Technology.
(Master, Tokyo Automotive Technical College,
Formerly of Nissan Motors)

79

PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

Prof. Ishikawa for Me
Ryuichi Kobayashi
I graduated from the department of engineering at a university, but also tookclasses inclined strongly to mathematics (applied mathematics), and was interested intheoretical matters. I studied under Professor Jiro Kondo (presently the chairperson of
Science Council of Japan), and was frequently visiting JUSE for work related to OR andstatistical theory, and that is how I met Dr. Ishikawa.
Since then, it gave me deep pleasure to participate in Dr. Ishikawa’s activities such
as JUSE Sampling Research Group and learning from him. JUSE’s quality control
seminars flourished alongside the high growth of the Japanese economy, and we
lecturers spent busy days.
For a time, I escaped from this busy life by slightly reducing my workload related
to quality control to work as financial analyst. I wanted to work in a different field. I
had a job at the Capital Investment Institute of the Japan Development Bank where wedeveloped a program for precise and long term management plan. We have completed
the software, which is still being used at the Japan Development Bank as the screening
program for urban redevelopment financing. (This was back in the 1970s)
I was gradually withdrawing from jobs related to quality control when I ran into Dr.
Ishikawa in the hallway of JUSE. He told me to attend the next QC Seminar for
Executives which was to be held in Hakone. At that time, I gave lectures mainly on
statistical theories for the QC Basic Course but had not witnessed the actual corporate
management issues nor studied them. Dr. Ishikawa was very aware of that.
Thus, grateful for his advice, I applied at JUSE secretariat to attend the QC
Seminar for Executives free of charge. Such case was unprecedented, and the secretariat
seemed surprised, but gave me permission to attend the seminar as it was recommended
by Dr. Ishikawa.
That was a turning point, and I went back to placing quality control related work as
the center of my work. Later on Dr. Ishikawa added me to the team of instructors that
instructed QC activities within Japanese companies. Dr. Ishikawa was the leading
lecturer of the team. Through this activity, I am learning corporate activities, and am
supporting and researching activities for quality improvement.
Looking back now, Dr. Ishikawa had been a university professor and a scholar but
was also an individual with a natural born sense of a corporate manager. He had perhaps
inherited his father’s outstanding abilities. He had left monumental achievements. I am
sure that his legacy will be passed on to the future generations.
80

Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality(Professor Emeritus, Rikkyo University)

Devoted to Educating Young Instructors
Shoichi Shimizu
It was April 1950 at the University of Tokyo when I met Professor Ishikawa for the
first time. The main reason I went there was to give a presentation at a conference, but I
decided to visit him at his office as I wanted to ask him some questions. Although I did
not have an appointment, he was very friendly and agreed to talk with me. He kindly
answered my questions, and, moreover, invited me to take the next QC Basic Course,which had just been started, if I was keen on studying QC. It was difficult for me totravel to Tokyo every month, but I still had some valuable opportunities to learn from
him after that day.
He was an open-hearted and easy-going person, and, at the same time, very
considerate and caring of other people. For example, when he took me to somecompanies to give me the opportunity to engage in some hands-on training as an
instructor, and provide QC diagnosis together, he tactfully saved me fromembarrassment when I gave inaccurate or insufficient evaluations.
Professor Ishikawa always considered it important to foster potential leaders inorder to spread QC, so he made an effort, especially training young lecturers. I believe I
was one of them. In my case, he encouraged me to take on the position of chiefcounselor of a company and offered me his support. I appreciated him a lot. It was hewho selected me to be the youngest member of the Deming Prize Committee, and also
recommended me to become an academician of the IAQ.
He was a great person and a man of action with a broad point of view, and I think
there were always well-thought- through plans behind all of his acts.
When he proposed the FQCT (Foremen’s QC Circle Team) be dispatched overseas,
I opposed him, because I doubted that the corporations would send their foreman level
workers to overseas. However, he told me to persuade them to let their foremen go andyou can make them happy about their decision rather than you worried about before.
When I served as a leader of the 5th FQCT, the members and their bosses were very
happy and thanked me profusely after the trip. I realized that Professor Ishikawa truly
has foresight.
(Professor Emeritus, Nagoya University)81PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

My Wife’s Driving License
Takanori Yoneyama“I will leave the first half of the next lecture ‘Control Chart Method’ to you.”This was the first instruction given to me by Professor Ishikawa.
In those days the Quality Control Basic Course, hosted by JUSE, was the mostfundamental and standard study course for QC learners, and its first lecture (ofControl Chart Method) was one of the most authoritative, always given by Professor
Ishikawa. Therefore, it was a big surprise that he bravely decide to delegate its first partto another person.
The Professor had been endeavoring to foster young talents for their future, and as
part of it, he has ardently developed an introduction of so called dual lecturer system, inwhich he would leave the first half of the lecture to a young lecturer and he would
oversee as an observer. Thus in any circumstances, the Professor would create anenvironment for young people to speak up and to take an action. I thanked him for histhoughtfulness and consideration of giving equal opportunities to everybody.
I also had various guidance and instructions from him at the editorial committee
meeting for magazines. However I enjoyed more his talks as I listened to his talks after
the meeting, while drinking at the local bar.
At one time, after the usual drinking party of the editorial committee meeting, I
was on a taxi with the Professor, as our direction to go home was the same. All of asudden, the Professor suggested, “Let’s go to your house tonight,” and so he came to myhouse making a fair length of detour. As it was too late at night I could not offer much
hospitality, but the Professor did not care it at all. He persuaded my wife to get adriver’s license by explaining how it is important talking about his wife, “If emergency
happened in the suburbs, we would be at a loss.”
A couple of months later my wife obtained a driver’s license. And this helped
enormously to our child rearing and caring for my mother. I received numerous
instructions from the Professor. Not only I but even my family have benefited from him.
(Konica President)82Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

Professor Who Gave Fair Consideration to
Everybody
Akira Murakami
Soon after Denso Corporation won the Deming Prize, Professor Ishikawa made a
special point to speak to me at a meeting of those promoting QC in various companies.
He said to me, “You really had really good experiences through the tough work for
Deming challenge. You must always keep purity in promoting QC.” This was aninvaluable word of encouragement and a lesson. I cannot forget these words even to thisday.
For one QC meeting, Professor Ishikawa came out all the way to the lakeside ofHamanako. He engaged in a discussion with young QC staff of several companies until
3 a.m. drinking Sake with a large cup.
The next day, we decided to enjoy ourselves by getting up at 6 o’clock in themorning to go fishing, trolling in such a style that was famous in the Lake Hamanako. I
was on the same boat with Professor Ishikawa. We tried hard but the tide was against us
that day and all the boats seemed to have no luck. However, all of a sudden, theProfessor got a big tug. His fishing rod almost got dragged into the water.
“Professor, you have a catch! Pull your rod up, please!”“Wow, this is a really big one! I can see it! What is the zoological name of thisfish?”“What does that matter? Just pull up your rod more vertically.”
After all this commotion, we finally caught a fish onto the boat. The fish was a sea
perch that was nearly 60 cm in length. That day’s catch was only this one fish that
Professor Ishikawa had landed. All of us had absolutely nothing to show for our effort.
“Professor, you are very lucky.”“Don’t be stupid. I am good at fishing! How long have you been fishing? You arepoorer than I.”
That was how the conversation went on that day. After that, for a few years, eachtime I met Professor Ishikawa, he greeted me by saying, “You are a poor fisherman.”“You are a poor fisherman.” Actually he expressed his thanks for that day saying me
like that.
(Councilor, JUSE; formerly of Denso Corporation)

83

PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

Thank You, Prof. Ishikawa
Kenji Kurogane
Around 1955, I needed to conduct statistical processing in relation to resource
research for tuna at university where I worked, so I decided to take part in a JUSE’squality control seminar, as a note taker. My job was to write a report of a three-hour
lecture in about 20 pages, which would be printed in a monthly lecture report. Despite
his busy schedule, the Professor always read his part thoroughly and made a lot ofnecessary corrections and comments with a red pen. When we finished this 6-monthseminar, he suggested that I help with his QC endeavors, which gave me the opportunity
to be involved in the QC field rather than remaining as a fish expert. Without hissuggestion, my life would have been completely different.
Quality control is sometimes called “control of human quality,” and theinterrelationships among people are very important on promoting QC. Although theprofessor paid careful attention to details, he was a boss who trusted his staff without
giving any specific instructions. One night about ten years ago, with regard to my QC
consultant work, he phoned me and told me that I had been looking after only thecompanies that had been staying in the black. He then told me to take on a company indeficit. It was a very forceful request, of course, no choice but to work with thecompany. Perhaps this is a typical example in describing his character.
About one and a half years before he passed away, when the brewery company S
was working toward challenging the Deming Prize for the following year, he invited me
to go there with him for QC diagnosis. This was to be my last consultant work with theProfessor. In the QC world, we often learn from our seniors through these hands-on
sessions. I have learned enormous amount of important QC knowledge and expertiseover the years from the Professor, but I regret that I could probably have learned a lot
more from him.
I have a lot of photos of him including those from his youth, and some of them hedirectly handed to me. With these precious memories, I hope he will rest in peace
forever. Thank you, Professor Ishikawa.
(Counselor, Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers;
Former Researcher at National Research Institute of Fisheries Science,
Tokai Region, Fisheries Agency)

84

Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

Receiving Advice for Publishing My Book
Hideo Yoshikawa
It was in my days as a note taker of the Black Copper Sampling Research Group、
JUSE, in 1951, when I received guidance from Professor Ishikawa. In those days, groupmembers participated from Tohoku, Shikoku and Kyushu almost every month andreceived guidance from Professor Ishikawa. They made an effort to establish a new
method of sampling in Japan. As I was told to study more statistical methods by theProfessor, I studied with Professor Yoji Akao as a note taker for the 7th QC Basic
Course. I gradually put myself in the QC field by receiving even more guidance from
Professor Ishikawa, and helped him with such things as calculations of The Control
Chart Method and proofreading works.
Just about that time, we were about to run a case study of introducing QC to thecompanies in the magazine Hinshitsu Kanri (Statistical Quality Control). Professor
Ishikawa and many other professors started teaching for Yamato Electrics, and I wasthen employed there so that I could report action records of their QC activities. This was
the start of my QC activities.
Years later, Professor Ishikawa introduced me to Nissan Diesel Industries, where I
introduced Total Quality Control and a QC application to replacement parts’ control.
With its successful result I published a book Practices of Inventory Control, in which
Professor Ishikawa gave me his preface message. Moreover, the Professor gave me
many words of advice for my book called Procedure Collection of Statistical Analysis.
If I continue to remain somewhat useful in the QC field, this is solely because ofProfessor Ishikawa’s guidance.
I believe that I have been able to practice correct QC because Professor Ishikawa
warmly watched me over regardless of where he was, and this thought has given me
encouragement and direction. I’m not great like Professor Ishikawa, however I wish to
do my best to extend Professor Ishikawa’s philosophy to as many people as possible bycherishing today’s Japanese QC tradition, which was progressed by Professor Ishikawa
and many other people at actual work places since 1950’s.
Professor Ishikawa, please keep on watching over us.
(President of Intelect; Former member of Nissan Diesel Industries)

85

PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man“Ishikawajima-Harima: How Is Your TQC Going?”
Ms. Keiko Hasegawa
My home is located in Chofu (in Tokyo) and it takes 5 minutes’ drive to Professor
Ishikawa’s house. When my company (Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd,
Aerospace Divisions) challenged the Deming Prize, I quite often visited his home forcommunication purpose. As I have heard that his house was once called the “Ishikawa
Farm” by his neighbors, I was surprised at its large garden with deep green trees
stretching inside from the gate. At the front of the gate, there stood a signpost indicating
the directions to his brothers’ houses, and his house was located some distance awayfrom the left of the signpost. Every time I visited his house, Mrs. Ishikawa showed up
first and the Professor appeared after, saying, “Ya, Ya” in a friendly manner. I believe
his big-hearted character was formed from such an environment. Somebody asked him,
“How many books do you have, Professor?” and he replied, “Well, in about aroundso-and-so meters.” I think it was typical of him without saying actual number of thebooks.
After our Corporate HQ was awarded Quality Control Award for Factory by
Deming Prize, whenever the Professor saw my face he asked me, “I heard the
Ishikawajima would promote TQC in all company level. What is the progress since
then?” and I could not hold my head high and so said repeatedly, “Yes Sir, we are
studying it steadily.” After 3 years of repeating the same dialog, the Professor stopped
asking and I was relieved. I think he guessed the difficulty of circumstances at that time.
However, since I have been asked the same question every time I saw the Professor, I
cannot forget his words and I feel that he is speaking to me from a distance with hishoarse voice, saying, “How is Ishikawajima going?” I feel deserted without seeing theProfessor’s face anymore, as I have always noticed him sitting at the front row in theCommittee Meeting of QC Circle-monthly magazine and Symposium. I do not have areality of his death yet. I will probably hear his voice, “How is it going?” in my head
forever.
(Formerly Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Aerospace Corporate HQ,
TQC Promotion Manager)

86

Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

The Teachings of Prof. Ishikawa
Yoshinobu Nayatani
I met Professor Ishikawa for the first time in Osaka, at a lecture in JUSE’s QC
Basic Course, which started in April 1954. I think he was still in his late 30’s then, but
he was already the leader in the field of quality control in Japan. Even now, I often
recall how he delivered a number of lectures on QC practices with real confidence andpassion.
I had numerous opportunities to learn from him through subsequent meetings,
including those of the Deming Application Prize Subcommittee, as well as TQC
counseling sessions held at different companies. I would like to introduce a couple ofexamples here.
The professor introduced a method that simplified quality control, making it easy
for companies to put this into practice. At the same time, he was anxious that thedirection the QC field was leaning towards was becoming too detailed and complex. For
example, he always said we needed to focus only on “improvement and sustainment(standardization)” in terms of policy management and daily management. Considering
how hard it is to differentiate between these two types during quality control practices, I
feel it is very important to go back to the basics as Professor Ishikawa emphasized.
Although quality control has become more systematized due to the introduction of avariety of other management systems, I feel it is crucial to establish an easier andsimpler QC method that can be conducted by companies, who, after all, are the actual
users.
Another example was his generous support for the Seven New QC Tools we
introduced in 1977 and the subsequent promotion of them. This was originallyresearched and proposed as early as 1969, as we felt some kind of future direction wasneeded for quality control. However, there were some criticisms leveled at this, andmostly, I believe, due to the immaturity of many of us. At the symposium on the Seven
New QC Tools held in March 1985, he attended a special lecture and offered his visionon the application of the tools. He also introduced it overseas using Reports ofStatistical Application Research, JUSE. Consequently, at present, there are a number ofcompanies that have implemented the tools in the direction at which the professor
suggested.
Finally, I would like to express my great respect and appreciation for Professor
Ishikawa and all that he did in teaching us.
(Professor, Department of Management Engineering,87PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

School of Engineering, Osaka Electro-Communication University)“Seven QC Tools Can Solve 95% of All Problems”
Katsuya Hosotani
It was October 1962 when I first met Professor Ishikawa at the 23rd QC Basic
Course organized by JUSE. At that time, I was working for Nippon Telegraph andTelephone Public Corporation (NTTPC), in charge of technological investigation andequipment management for telephone switchboards. I took part in the professor’s
lecture on control charts as a note taker, so my job was to write down the lecture noteduring the session and write up a monthly report to be distributed to the participants inthe following month. My notebook during the three-hour session became completely
filled with notes, so it was very difficult work for me to put them together into aten-page report.
After that, the professor was always very supportive of me. He told me that I
would not be able to stand on my own two feet if I just stuck to QC for NTTPC, andtook me to various companies to give me learning opportunities. I was very impressedthat he took extremely detailed notes at TQC counseling sessions, and rememberedalmost everything discussed.
I have other great memories of him too, and would like to share one of them withyou. We were in Kobe International House in September 1984 attending the conference
to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the QC Circle Kinki Regional Chapter. During
a panel discussion, I, who was acting as the leader of the session, heard a snoring
coming from my left. I was very surprised and hurriedly moved the microphone awayfrom the professor, as we were on the stage in front of over 1,200 participants. Then,
when I asked a question about the future prospects for QC Circle, amazingly, theprofessor immediately raised his hand to give a straightforward answer. I was very
surprised and then realized just how differently the structure of his brain was able tofunction compared to ours.
I asked him to write introductions for my books many times, and usually very close
to the deadline, but he never showed any reluctance and always kindly accepted myrequests. Also, he always took the time to read through all my drafts before writing the
introduction.
In the introduction of one of my books, Seven QC Tools (Easy QC Method
Exercises) (JUSE Press), he stated that 95% of all problems could be solved if these88Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

seven QC tools were used properly. This book was made a bestseller with the issue of
70 editions, because, I believe, his words were so convincing.
It is really heartbreaking to lose such an excellent leader and mentor, but I willcontinue to make great efforts, in remembrance of his passion, to spread TQC, and to
make society richer through TQC.
(President, Quality Control Research Institute)

4.4 A Man of Action: A Bulldozer Equipped with a Computer

A Master of Hetero-catalysis
Sigeiti Moriguti
Ishikawa-san was compared to a bulldozer. His great massive and powerful ability
to get things done certainly gave him that aura. And not only that, he was also equippedwith tremendous leadership and organizational abilities that enabled him to gain an
insight into each person’s individual characteristics and bring personnel with different
ability to work together toward a common goal, achieving meaningful results.
I participated in the QC Basic Course from the outset at Ishikawa-san’s invitation,
taking charge of the lectures on statistical theory. Keeping “proof” based onmathematical formulas to a minimum at his recommendation, I used examples ofexperiments to enable participants to get a feel for the theory. I believe this approach
was welcomed. On the other hand, on the courses organized by the Chemical Society ofJapan (which Masuyama-san recommended me for, if I recall correctly), I was in chargeof explaining “weighing problems.” Hiroshi Nakasugi chose showing how this theory
actually works as the topic for his graduation thesis; I remember with great fondness
how we borrowed a crucible and analytical balance at Ishikawa-san’s laboratory and did
a demonstration. (Through the efforts of Genichi Taguchi, this theory subsequently
came to be known in the form of orthogonal arrays, giving rise to many practicalexamples.)When it came to the sampling of particulate materials as well, you could really see
his tenacious nature, trying everything he noticed and saw until he was satisfied. I will
never forget how, in this process, a question he asked about the confidence limits ofvariance components became a positive stimulus for my research.††

Moriguti, S. (1954). “Confidence limits for a variance component,” Rep. Statist. Appl. Res. JUSE, 3,
pp. 7–19.
89PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

In Deming Prize examinations as well, his desire to look past the appearance inorder to see the reality sometimes manifested itself in a manner that could appear
unreasonably obstinate, but it is clear that very attitude was tremendously effective inmaintaining both the prestige of the Deming Prize and the dynamism of quality control.
The basis of the success of Japanese quality control lies not in the efforts of a minorityof experts trained in ivory tower alone, but in fact that people with a huge array ofdifferent qualities joined forces to work on developing it. This was entirely thanks to
Ishikawa-san, who was without parallel in his ability to bring such a different people
together to achieve a common goal.
(Professor Emeritus, the University of Tokyo)

There are Hardships Anywhere, Anytime
Teiji Yokobori
I feel heavy hearted when I talk of the memories of Dr. Ishikawa. I feel as if I am
still receiving support from Dr. Ishikawa, who liked to talk about future dreams and takegreat strides with great ambition. After World War II, when QC was in its dissemination
phase, a group of young men centering Dr. Ishikawa were all filled with a sense of
mission as the torchbearer of industrial recovery.
Various committees for QC development would get into heated discussions, andwould flock into bars for further extended discussions, which would become so intensethat at the end of the night, we would storm into the residence of Ms. Haruko Mitsuaki.
Gaining momentum, the battle line expanded. Statistical theory broke out fromlaboratories and classrooms and spread into places where it was actually applied, i.e.
into corporate manager’s offices. Since we were okay with storming into the residenceof someone’s wife, we also had no problem with storming into the residence of big
shots. And always in the center of the storm was Dr. Ishikawa.
Dr. Ishikawa was tough on ostentation and negligence, and was looked upon as the
Savior by the front liners out in the field of industrial recovery. I have heard of an
episode regarding Dr. Ishikawa from Mr. Yasuo Makino (Former chairman of the
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation), a well-known dare devil. During
Mr. Makino’s years at Junior High School attached to Tokyo Higher Normal School, Dr.
Ishikawa was 2 years senior to Mr. Makino. Dr. Ishikawa was then the leader of thecheer group. Mr. Makino had ditched cheering practice, and was threatened by Mr.
Ishikawa ever since. Whenever the discussion became heated and Dr. Ishikawa began
90

Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

his dialogue with the famous “You bastard, your opinion is...,” I would imagine thefiendish expression of Dr. Ishikawa as the leader of the cheer group.
Around 1955, I was appointed the chairperson for the QC Conference with thetheme of consumer affairs. At that time, as a reaction to the suppression of speechduring the war, the trend was to get a kick out of defeating the opponent during debate.
Back then, due to lack of commodities, the manufacturers had the superiority, and eventhough we felt that we had a fair debate, we caused an emotional confrontation with therepresentatives of Japan Housewives Association regarding topic such as 10 yen
croquette that was arousing public criticism. Dr. Ishikawa was the one who saved thesituation, asking the representatives of Japan Housewives Association, “Does youropinion represent that of housewives?” which had a calming effect on both parties. Ever
since, a tough Dr. Ishikawa and a kind Dr. Kaoru coexisted. I ran into Dr. Ishikawa
many times while he was running around on errands other than QC, trying to solve thecampus dispute. If, in the afterlife, you wish to run into Dr. Ishikawa, it should be easy.
You just look for disputes, and Dr. Ishikawa should be there busy trying to solve theproblem.
(President, Nakayo Tsushinki)

Remembering Prof. Ishikawa:
Emphasis on Genjitsu† and Genba††
Hajime Makabe
Despite working at a university different from Prof. Ishikawa, I fortunately had
many opportunities to meet him in person at conferences or committees. I had learned
many things directly from him.
Around the late 1950’s, I had been interested in the theory of sampling inspections
and the related probability calculations. At that time, Prof. Ishikawa gave me the advice
that knowledge of “Genjitsu and Genba’’ is important for studying quality Control (QC).
In fact, he provided me the opportunity for visiting Genba several times.
I, of course, followed his advice and strived to study QC based on “Genjitsu andGenba’’, however, he kept me telling “You pursued only theories’’ without admitting
my endeavor. In retrospect, he was grounding me thoroughly in QC. I think it was his
special way to help and nurture younger generation. I can also say that it was an
expression of his love for us.
†††

Genjitsu: actual reality
Genba: actual workplace91PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

In autumn of 1980, I received a phone call from him, and then I became a memberof the Nuclear Power Plant Quality Assurance Review Committee established by the
Ministry of International Trade and Industry. The committee was founded in response to
the TMI nuclear power plant accident to re-examine the quality assurance systems of
nuclear power plants in Japan.
Prof. Ishikawa made significant proposals as the chair of this important committeewith a very clear concept and opinions based on his previous achievement in the field ofquality control in Japan. He was teaching these concept and opinions with his
perceptive senses and strong convictions. We learned numerous lessons from him.
(Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Note: TMI nuclear power plant accident: A nuclear power plant accident that occurred in
March 1979 on Three Mile Island in the U.S.

A Scholar of Action Who Could Get Down to Work on
Production Problems
Kenzo Sasaoka
If we had not met Prof. Ishikawa, our company might not have won the Deming
Prize for TQC, and the path I took as a corporate manager might have been considerably
different.
I used to read and discuss, taking turns with executives of subsidiary companies,
Prof. Ishikawa’s Introduction to Quality Control, while on the other hand, I was
struggling to reduce the number of defects of the products of which I was in charge. In
1972, I was ordered to temporarily transfer from Yokogawa Electric Corporation to YHP.
After the relocation, I became involved in the issue of the quality of computers andother state-of-the-art electronics products. It was around 1975, the year Dr. Joseph M.
Juran pointed out as the year when the level of the quality of Japanese industrial
products and that of U.S. industrial products reversed. Thus, thanks to a strange quirk offate, I met Prof. Ishikawa in person, whom I had known by his books only.
Through the “QC diagnosis” in 1976 and “Special Course for Executives” in 1977,
I could be directly acquainted with the rich experience of the Professor, the action to set
foot in the industrial spot even a scholar, and the management philosophy that can be
regarded as something stemming from his patriotism. Prof. Ishikawa’s enthusiasm andconsideration but compassionate personality made me think: “The professor has been92

Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

worried about us and has worked hard, but we, our company person, are not...”Especially Professor Ishikawa established and fostered “QC Circle” and he gave his
devotion to the workers at the work site, which stemmed from his warm-hearted
humanity beyond he came of a good family and was a professor of the University ofTokyo.
In gratitude for TQC established by Prof. Ishikawa, we believe that we have cometo understand the value of quality, activated management, made our employees proud,and made a global contribution.
Prof. Ishikawa, we are truly grateful that we met you. Please watch over Japan andthe world in heaven.
(President, Yokogawa-Hewlett-Packard)

A Postcard
Ms. Kaoru Shimoyamada
One day almost at the end of the year 1961, I received a postcard. When I
discovered who wrote it, I was really surprised. It was a postcard from Dr. Ishikawa,
written in his slender handwriting. I was greatly impressed by the fact that Dr. Ishikawa
wrote a postcard to a Komatsu employee who had only about three years of service.
Around that time, Komatsu began a company-wide activity: “Project A,” in which
we began implementing Dr. Ishikawa’s quality control method, in order to survive.
Additionally, quality control education also began. On this occasion, I took the 21st
Basic Course in Osaka and our group worked on the theme of reducing grinding stock
removal of bushes which link track shoes. The result was selected to be reported in the
Hinshitsu Kanri (Statistical Quality Control). As I had sent the results and the article tothe editorial committee, I received the message from Dr. Ishikawa in that postcard.
In his comment, he suggested that I put in the conclusion of how much theprocessing cost was lowered by reducing the grinding stock removal.
He told me that the quality control has an effect not only on improving quality but
also on reducing costs, which made my core stance when dealing with quality control.
Dr. Ishikawa was not just a professor but was well-versed in how a corporate
system should be operated. This was always shown in his teaching. If he had uncertain
things in regards to his mentoring, he always asked us to bring documents and reportsthat we used daily. I believe that today’s successful results in quality control
implemented in corporate entities depend largely on such his guidance.
93PART II Human Beings are Human Beings: Kaoru Ishikawa as a Common Man

Later, I had an opportunity to join the QC study missions of ICQC held in Venicein 1975, which was led by Dr. Ishikawa. Also in 1979, I traveled with him when we
asked him to lecture at a QC seminar held in the former Soviet Union.
I remember him saying regrettably that even though we taught QC in the Soviet
Union, the concepts would not spread throughout the whole company but only in theparticular departments. I wonder how he would see this county today.
(Executive Managing Director, Komatsu Career Create)“Don’t Forget the Objective and its
Implementation”
Hiroshi Odajima“Revolution or renovation, which would you choose?... It does not matter
whichever you take. The point is that the implementation is important.” The venue for
the Quality Control Symposium at Hakone Kowakien instantly fell silent after theProfessor’s hoarse voice (sorry for the expression). His comment was made from myquestion to Professor Ikezawa’s statement, “TQC is an Idea Revolution”.
At the time when the company decided to introduce TQC, which was not known
well among industrial circles, many within the company were stubborn and stiff-necked.
Therefore I fully understood and agreed with Professor Ikezawa’s opinion that, unless it
was promoted with the strong idea of its wording as “revolution”, it was almost
impossible for them to understand the concept of TQC.
In fact, when many companies introduced TQC there were only few TQC
followers, but many anti-TQC sects instead. My opinion was that, to explain TQC withthe expression “the Idea Revolution” would be too excessive for them, but that would
be more appropriate to say “an Idea Reform” or “an Idea Renovation” ... Although I cansay, if I were to exaggerate myself, that the Constitution guarantees protection of thefreedom of thought, I was hesitant to use the word “revolution” in a company, as it
could indicate drastic changes such as replacing superiors and bosses.
After some conversation with Professor Ikezawa, he said “The term ‘an Idea
Revolution’ was from the Professor Ishikawa’s idea and he has been explaining it for 30
years. I would like to ask for his opinion as the Professor attends today,” and the above
remark of Professor Ishikawa was so made.
Then it flashed on me that Professor Ishikawa’s thought was of “strategic
94

Chapter 4 Prof. Kaoru Ishikawa's Personality

orientation.” He hinted that the importance was to achieve the objectives and not themeans, and that if flexibility were to be neglected from the measures, in other words if
you stick to means it is impossible to achieve objectives; in addition that the application
is important. I think he admonished us against selfish actions by sticking to means andforgetting the objectives.
It has been 35 years since I first read the Professor’s Introduction to Quality
Control to learn quality control, and 20 years since I have received his instructions inperson. I was with him for the last time in his lecture tour of the Quality Month in
Okinawa, and I had a role of the opening lecturer of the conference which became myunforgettable memory. I cannot forget his warm face when he said, “Mr. Odajima,
objectives and practices are important things.”(Director, Ricoh)95