Can 5S Really be Implemented in the Philippines?

5S was originated in Japan, and is therefore anchored on the Japanese culture . And we all know that Japanese are very disciplined, very simple, generally clean, and orderly. I have seen this in the many places I have been to in Japan. From their airports , to roads, to factories, homes and restaurants.

When we ate at a restaurant, we have to remove our shoes, to get into the dining area. The food served is well arranged. They have very good packaging of their products, be it food or otherwise. Their old temples are well kept. Centuries old still stands and still majestic.

In contrast, I know you would agree with me, that we have a long way to be at par with the Japanese culture. I have been to many countries and none of them goes an inch nearer to what the Japanese are.

So, since 5S was originated in Japan, and the culture of Japanese are way above what we are, can we implement 5S in the Philippines?

I say YES! The strong characteristics of us Filipinos is our resiliency and adaptability. We have seen ourselves rise above crisis after crisis. Typhoons and earthquakes, and coup de etat do not make us crumble. We as a people also blends and adapts to where we are thrown into. We are very compliant and adaptive as well. In all places I have been, Singapore, Korea, Japan, USA, the Filipinos copy exact and sometimes show much better discipline that the host county people are. Even here locally, you can see those that goes to Makati changes and adapts to where they are....

So even in 5S Implementation, I say YES...it can be done here in the Philippines for factories who wish to do it. It may require more visual controls and poka yoke systems, bu it can be done. I have seen it implemented in US companies that are located here in the Philippines.

Yes, we Filipinos can implement 5S.

God bless!