Credentials: - Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Science; Doctor of Engineering (University of Tokyo); Honorary Chairperson Asian Network for Quality

Engagements:

Honorary:

Dr. Noriaki Kano is the only professional in the world who is Honorary Member of International Academy for Quality (IAQ), American Society for Quality (ASQ) and Japanese Society for Quality Control (JSQC) the three most prestigious quality societies of the world. This is the highest honor these societies bestow on quality professionals. He is honorary member of many societies of quality professionals in Europe, Asia and Americas; and visiting professor at various prestigious universities in Europe, USA and Asia.

Dr. Kano is the founding President of the Asian Network for Quality (ANQ) and Honorary Chairperson since 2005. He has been Board Member of Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) since 2011 and The Overseas Human Resources & Industry Development Association (HIDA) (2007-12) the two most prominent organizations promoting quality in Japan and overseas.

Prof. Kano is an honorary advisor to various quality bodies of other countries like China and India and has made positive contribution for development of quality around the world providing consultation, keynote speeches and conducting seminars in 84 countries.

Prof. Kano has been the Chairman of the selection committee for Deming Prize for individuals since 2011 and Chairman of Deming Application Prize Committee for two terms ie. 2004 to 2007. These are considered the most prestigious awards in the field of quality management in the world.

Accomplishments:

Dr. Kano has been Board Director of Komatsu Ltd. for 6 years and been Corporate Auditor at Sekisui Chemical Ltd. for 6 years. A very rare accomplishment indeed.

He is best known for development of Attractive Quality Creation that is popularly known as Kano Model / Method and very widely used around the world in development of new products and services in all sectors of economy. Another important approach developed by Dr. Kano for breakthrough improvement is called the Task Achieving QC Story.

He has published over 300 papers and books including “Attractive Quality” (Kano Method / Kano Model)”, “Guide to TQM in Service Industries” (in English) and “Way to Breakthrough and Creation” (in Japanese)

Dr. Kano has helped many multinational companies from Japan, USA, Europe, Taiwan, Thailand, China and India besides other countries to enhance their business performance using quality management approaches.

Dr. Kano continues his research activities to find new ways to improve organizational performance based on quality management theory and practices. Over the last 4 to 5 years he is developing new methodologies and tools that enable effective use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to make breakthrough improvements. He develops these methods jointly with his client organizations. In some countries similar methodologies are called Quality 4.0. He is ahead of the rest in this field.

Honors:

Eponymous Dr. Kano has the unique distinction of Awards being established in his name:

  • 2010 Ishikawa-Kano Award Established by Asian Network for Quality (ANQ)
  • 2009 Kano Quality Award Established by Technological Promotion Association (TPA, Thailand)

Dr. Noriaki Kano has been a recipient of many awards around the world the most prestigious being the Deming Prize for individuals in Japan, Distinguished Service Medal by ASQ and International George Borel Award by EOQ. He is the only one in the world to receive all three awards.

Work Experiences:

  • 2006 – Dr. Kano runs Kano Quality Research Organization (KQRO) conducting research in theory and application of new methodologies for quality management for the benefit of business organizations
  • 1982-2006 Professor, Tokyo University of Sciences (TUS), Japan
  • 1970-1982 Lecturer & Associate Professor, The University of Electro-Communications, Japan

Education:

  • Completed Undergraduate & Doctoral Courses and Engineering School, The University of Tokyo