Studist's Keitaro Shoji to Publish "The Textbook of Lean Operation 'Systematization'" from Nikkei BP on April 18

Keitaro Shoji, Executive Vice President of Studist Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and CEO: Satoshi Suzuki; hereinafter "Studist"), which supports the realization of lean operations, will publish "The Textbook of Lean Operation 'Systematization': 9 Steps of Business Reform to Cut Losses and Turn Excess Capacity into Value" from Nikkei BP on April 18, 2026.

This book is a practical guide that systematizes a specific management OS for companies to "preserve value and survive (Kachinokoru)" in a future where the labor population will decrease drastically, based on the results of supporting more than 2,000 sites. Prior to the release, pre-orders have started on Amazon and other platforms.

[Amazon Pre-order Page] https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4296210483/

Who should read this book - Business owners who want to build a "next-generation management foundation" that does not rely on individual effort, in anticipation of labor shortages. - Management teams suffering from "improvement fatigue," where "improvements have become a formality" or "the front line resists." - Startup leaders who want to eliminate the "black box" nature of operations accompanying organizational expansion. - All business people who want to strip away waste and pour passion into the "valuable work they originally wanted to do."

Background of publication: Why "Lean Operation" is necessary for Japanese companies now Behind the fact that many Japanese companies are working on "productivity improvement" but not seeing results, there is a misunderstanding of "systematization" lying between management and the front line, and three serious issues.

- Survival strategy for "40% reduction in labor force" By 2050, the labor population will decrease by approximately 40% from its peak. Shifting to an organization that continues to create high added value with a small number of people, without depending on individual efforts, is now a survival strategy for all companies.

- The true nature of "improvement fatigue" The misunderstanding that "improvement = increased burden on the front line" is exhausting many organizations. Original improvement should be "positive creation of excess capacity" that strips away the "unreasonableness and waste" of the front line and creates a state where results are achieved easily.

- Cutting "cash burn" and "evaporation of time" In organizations with insufficient systematization, corporate cash (cash and deposits) is wasted due to inefficient operations, and the precious time of employees is taken away by work that was originally unnecessary. By stopping these losses and reinvesting the generated excess capacity into "value creation," an organization that "survives" in the era of population decline will be realized.

Features of this book: "9 Steps of Business Reform" likened to climbing Mount Fuji In this book, focusing on the "9 Steps" framework for realizing lean operations advocated by Studist, specific explanations are provided for the "state to be achieved, common challenges, and solutions" in each phase.

[Reader Benefit] Lean Operation Diagnostic Score Sheet (Web version) Visualize the degree of "systematization and thoroughness" in your company's operations. We have prepared a tool (Web version) that allows you to immediately practice "understanding your current location (base camp)," which determines the success or failure of transformation. (*Refer to the book)

STEP 1-4: Thoroughly strip away losses —— Visualization, Standardization/Simplification, Externalization, Automation STEP 5-7: Cultivating the strongest climbing team (organization) —— Efficient training, Stable execution, Prevention of rework STEP 8-9: From defense to offense (value enhancement) —— Value enhancement, Consolidation of improvement

Author Profile Keitaro Shoji Executive Vice President, Studist Corporation. After graduating from Tokyo Institute of Technology (currently Institute of Science Tokyo), he engaged in research work such as urban planning at a domestic think tank. Later, at a manufacturing consulting firm, he served as a leader in product development process reform and business analysis projects for major manufacturers. After serving as a manager, he joined Studist Corporation in February 2011. Based on the results of supporting more than 2,000 sites, he systematized "Lean Operation," a unique business reform method. Currently, as the company's Executive Vice President, he leads productivity improvement and organizational change for companies. His books include "Removing Waste from Work that Produces Results" and "'Systematization' of Work that Produces Results" (both published by Nikkei BP), and this book is the latest in the series, integrating those insights.

About Lean Operation Lean Operation, as advocated by Studist, is a continuous improvement process that removes "unreasonableness, waste, and inconsistency" from operations and reinvests the excess capacity created by efficiency into "value enhancement" to achieve productivity and sustainable growth for the entire organization. Specifically, through the steps of visualization, standardization, simplification, and thoroughness of operations, it aims for a lean organization and supports the construction of a system that can ultimately focus on core operations. In addition to the manual creation and sharing system "Teachme Biz," our company supports the realization of lean operations as a partner to achieve productivity improvement for customers through the provision of hands-on services that combine business assessment, manual creation agency, and training. https://studist.jp/our-vision

Company Overview Company Name: Studist Corporation Headquarters: 9F Sumitomo Corporation Nishikicho Building, 1-6 Kanda Nishikicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Bases: [Domestic] Tokyo (Headquarters), Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Miyazaki [Overseas] Thailand (Bangkok), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) Business Description: Development of the "Teachme Series" including the manual creation and sharing system "Teachme Biz," consulting on productivity improvement, corporate training business, etc. Established: March 19, 2010 Capital: 103.2 million yen (including capital reserve) URL: https://studist.jp/