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看板方式 (かんばんほうしき) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
just-in-time inventory management ; JIT ; kanban system
A production control system, originally developed by Toyota, where parts are replenished only when a signal (kanban) is received, minimizing inventory.
この 工こう 場じょう で は 看かん 板ばん 方ほう 式しき を 導どう 入にゅう し て から 、 無む 駄だ が 大おお 幅はば に 減へ っ た 。
Since introducing the just-in-time system, waste has been greatly reduced in this factory.
Written forms 看かん 板ばん 方ほう 式しき
Standard kanji spelling for the Toyota production system term.
かんばん 方ほう 式しき
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; sometimes used for clarity or in less formal contexts.
Kanji 方 direction, person, alternative Similar words ジャストインタイム The English loanword 'just-in-time' is often used interchangeably, but 看板方式 specifically refers to the kanban card-based pull system.
かんばん かんばん alone means 'signboard' or 'kanban card'; 看板方式 is the systematic method using such cards.
Etymology From 看板 (kanban, 'signboard' or 'card') + 方式 (hōshiki, 'method'). The term originated in Toyota's production system, where kanban cards signal the need for parts.