Newly colored photos: Deming in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s
New photo coloring technology helps us to see W. Edwards Deming (1900-1993) in a different light: Rediscover the work of this American pioneer of practical systems theory, industrial statistics, quality and modern organizational development, through photos from the years 1950 to 1965 that were never before seen in color.
After WWII, statistician W. Edwards Deming became a pioneer of modern, systemic Organizational Development, performing his teaching and consulting work mostly in war-torn Japan. In these spectacular, newly colored photos, Deming is shown in the 1950s, during his first missions to Japan promoting statistical control methods for industrial production, and what would later become Deming's "System of Profound Knowledge".
These images can be seen in color for the first time. Photos courtesy of The W. Edwards Deming Institute® - except four (as indicated), which are courtesy of Toyota Motor Corp. All photos were changed from b/w to color by Niels Pflaeging. For more information about Deming's work in Japan during the 1950s and 1960s, check out deming.org/timeline.
Newly colored photos from W. Edwards Deming's six trips to Japan between 1950 and 1965
All photos transferred from black & white to color by Niels Pflaeging
Photo from the first seminar W. Edwards Deming gives in Japan, in 1950. Deming had visited Japan before, in 1947. Now he receives an invitation to teach the application of statistics to quality improvement. Dr. Eizaburo Nishibori, a member of the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE), and Professor Sigeiti Moriguti of Tokyo University invite him to lecture on statistical methods for business in a session sponsored by the Keidanren, the most prestigious society of Japanese executives, under the leadership of its chairman, Ichiro Ishikawa (also president of JUSE). In June, Deming teaches an “8-Day Course on Quality Control” with lectures held in the auditorium of the Medical Association, in Ochanomizu/Tokyo. 235 people attended - mostly engineers. Deming delivers the same course for JUSE in Osaka (150 attendees), in Nagoya (125) and Hakata (85). This is followed by a one-day course "Quality Control for Top Management,” held at Hotel de Yama on Mount Hakone. This turned out to be a breakthrough event, with executives representing large parts of Japan's industrial clout present. Deming would return 6 months later, and for another stay 6 months after.
W. Edwards Deming traveling by car in Japan, 1950
W. Edwards Deming tours a field of crops with Japanese executives, 1950
W. Edwards Deming with several generations of a Japanese family, 1950
W. Edwards Deming on a boat in Japan, 1950
Deming in Japan (early 1950s)
W. Edwards Deming at a train station in Japan, 1951
W. Edwards Deming teaching in Japan, 1951
W. Edwards Deming observing factory workers in Japan, 1951
In 1951, Deming returns to Japan as a consultant and teacher to aid JUSE's efforts. JUSE establishes the Deming Prize, which is awarded each year in Japan to a statistician for contributions to statistical theory. The Deming Prize for application is awarded to a company for improved use of statistical theory in organization, consumer research, design of product, and production. Photo: W. Edwards Deming with Japanese businessmen and members of JUSE and their wives, 1951
W. Edwards Deming with businessmen, geishas and the Managing Director of the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE), Mr. Kenichi Koyanagi (lower row, left) in 1951
Portrait of W. Edwards Deming taken in Tokyo, in 1951
In the years 1952 to 1954, Deming's international activities include an "exchange scholarship" in Germany, a stance as consultant at Statistisches Bundesamt, Wiesbaden/Germany, lecturing at universities/academies in Kiel, Frankfurt, Wuppertal-Elberfeld, Nürnberg and Wien. And consulting in Mexico to the Census of Mexico, the Bank of Mexico, and the Ministry of Economy. Photo: W. Edwards Deming with Japanese businessmen in 1954
W. Edwards Deming in Osaka, with Managing Director of JUSE, Mr. Kenichi Koyanagi, to his immediate right, 1955
W. Edwards Deming lecturing in Japan, 1955
W. Edwards Deming gives a lecture for executives, 1955
W. Edwards Deming adjacent to the Imperial Palace grounds, Tokyo, in 1955
W. Edwards Deming, traveling by car in Japan, 1955
W. Edwards Deming and his wife Lola Deming observe a worker at Mikimoto pearl plant, 1955
W. Edwards Deming and his wife Lola Deming wearing kimonos, on a pearl diving boat at Mikimoto, 1955
W. Edwards Deming with Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) executives working over tea, 1956
A portrait of W. Edwards Deming from the same work meeting with JUSE executives
Lola Deming, Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers Managing (JUSE) Director Kenichi Koyanagi, and W. Edwards Deming, 1950s
In 1960 W. Edwards Deming is awarded the Second Order Medal of the Sacred Treasure by Emperor Hirohito of Japan, recognizing the philosophy and methods he provided to Japan.
Three decades later, when asked how he felt on receiving this honor, he said he felt unworthy. "I was lucky," he said, showing he considers himself no exception to his own teachings about the effects of the system upon individual performance.
W. Edwards Deming with his wife Lola Deming, after receiving the Second Order Medal of the Sacred Treasure by Emperor Hirohito of Japan, 1960
W. Edwards Deming touring a plant in Japan, 1950s (or, more likely, 1960)
In 1964, Deming lectures in Europe again – this time at the London School of Economics and the Institut de Statistiques de l'Université de Paris. Because of these stays in Europe, we include this photo which shows W. Edwards Deming in Greece in the 1960s, enjoying a Martini
Evaluation for the Deming Prize at the Machining Division of Toyota's Motomachi Plant, in 1965. The vote to award Toyota the Deming Prize was taken at an award committee meeting in October. This photo is from the www.toyota-global.com website
Evaluation for the Deming Prize at the Toyota head office, in 1965. This photo is from the www.toyota-global.com website
Dinner at the ceremonies for the Deming Prize in 1965, which were held in the Phoenix Room of the Hotel Imperial, Tokyo. From left to right: Mr Katsuda, Mr. Kano, W. Edwards Deming, Ichiro Ishikawa. Photo from Deming's "My Seventh Trip to Japan", as reprinted in "The World of W. Edwards Deming"
W. Edwards Deming delivering his speech at the ceremonies, with Mr. Kano interpreting. Photo from Deming's "My Seventh Trip to Japan", as reprinted in "The World of W. Edwards Deming"
Toyota is awarded the Deming Prize in 1965, in the presence of W. Edwards Deming. Here you see Deming and Toyota President Fukio Nakagawa at the award ceremony. This photo is from the www.toyota-global.com website
Group photo during the Deming Prize award ceremony in 1965, when Toyota won. With 1965 marking the 15th anniversary of the Deming Prize, the ceremony was "an auspicious event," writes Toyota, attended by "many noted figures from business and academic circles." During this 7th trip to Japan, Deming sees industry changes due to implementation of his ideas and writes "My Seventh Trip to Japan", a 65-page booklet that is privately printed for a few friends. The photo appeared in a 10Nov2014 tweet by @ToyotaMotorCorp
Get "What would Deming do?" – a beautiful book with Deming's best quotes, edited by Niels Pflaeging
"What would Deming do?" – a carefully curated collection of 160+ powerful and useful quotes by W. Edwards Deming, edited by Niels Pflaeging in 2023 and published with BetaCodex Press. Available from your preferred bookseller, in print and eBook editions. Or buy the book straight from the publisher! Take a look inside the book below.
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