There is a beginning to total quality management (TQM), but there is no end. It continues to grow and develop indefinitely.

In recent years, organizations have recognized more than ever the importance of satisfying customers and employees, contributing to society, corporate social responsibilities and dealing with environmental problems. They are also feeling the impact of turbulent changes in the surrounding environment, such as political and economic developments both nationally and worldwide. To meet the challenges these developments present, organizations are realizing that they need to transform the way they do business through implementing TQM.

Even if an organization has established a sound quality assurance system and has won the Deming Prize, it cannot stand still. In a few years, it will surely need to adapt and transform its quality assurance system to meet new challenges and change the scope and practice of its business. For example, it may need to diversify its products, develop new products or initiate new business altogether. To do this, the organization must continue educating and training employees and developing new employees who have joined the organization since receiving the Deming Prize. It must also develop new managers who have been promoted since the Deming Prize challenge.

To respond to internal and external changes, and to implement TQM more effectively in managing the business, it is extremely effective for organizations that have received the Deming Application Prize to challenge for the Japan Quality Medal. The experiences of past Japan Quality Medal winners clearly establish the merit of the challenge.

By setting the goal to apply for the Japan Quality Medal when organizations receive the Deming Application Prize, they can expect to prevent their TQM from becoming stale and sluggish. In this way, they can further develop their TQM practices. In fact, Deming Application Prize-winners are invited to apply for the Japan Quality Medal many times over. Some organizations have even received the medal twice. We are expecting many of the Deming Prize winners to use the challenge for the Japan Quality Medal as a management tool for their continued and focused implementation of TQM.

EFFECTIVENESS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE JAPAN QUALITY MEDAL

1. Continued Implementation of Priority Issues Generates "Power"
2. Systems and Technologies are Carried Forward by the Continued Implementation of Priority Issues
3. Continued Implementation of Priority Issues also Helps Human Resources Development
4. Continued Implementation of Priority Issues Enables the Organization to Keep Abreast of Changes in the Surrounding Business Environment
5. Continued Implementation of Priority Issues Facilitates the Integration of TQM into Daily Work
6. Focusing Activities on Priority Issues Eliminates Excess Examination Preparation Time
7. TQM that Makes Employees Want to Participate
8. Applicant Organizations Can Suggest an Examination Format
9. As a Rule, the Applicant's Entire Organization Is Regarded As One Examination Unit, and the Examination Is Conducted Within Two Days By Covering Entire Organization As One Examination Unit
10. An Individual Division Or a Winner of the Quality Control Award for Operations Business Units Can Apply for the Japan Quality Medal
11. Receiving the Japan Quality Medal Is the Highest Honor