Akao Prize 

In 1996, Dr. Yoji Akao, co-founder of QFD, convinced that the substantial evolution and contribution of QFD world wide merited recognition of those who had made it possible, agreed to the creation of a Prize in his honor.

Image of Akao Prize The Akao Prize is now awarded to individuals around the world who have demonstrated Excellence in their practice and dissemination of QFD for many years. Taken into consideration are research, authorship, teaching, practical applications, and personal commitment and service to the QFD community world wide including participation in and presentation at the International Symposium on QFD. Dr. Akao requested the QFD Institute administer the Prize.

Selection follows the model of the Deming Prize, whereby candidates are proposed by a committee of Dr. Akao, the Executive Director of the QFD Institute, and past Prize recipients.

The Akao Prize is presented by Dr. Akao and the Executive Director of the QFD Institute annually at the International Symposium on QFD.
 

 Past Winners of Akao Prize

2011

Jutta Saatweber, Dipl.-Ing (Germany)

2010

Carey W. Hepler (USA)

2009

Wolfram Pietsch, Ph.D. (Germany)

2008

Akira Takayanagi (Japan)

2007

Thomas Saaty, Ph.D. (USA)

2006

Verónica González Bosch (Mexico)

Toshiyuki Mochimoto, Ph.D. (Japan)

2005

Fatih Yenginol, Ph.D. (Turkey)

Yasuhisa Tsuda, Ph.D. (Japan)

2004

Koji Tanaka (Japan)

2003

Harold Ross (USA)
Tomoyoshi Naoi, Ph.D. (Japan)

2002

Atsushi Ootaki, Ph.D (Japan)
Robert A. Hunt, Ph.D. (Australia)    

Ian A. Ferguson (UK)

2001

Noriharu Kaneko (Japan)
Akashi Fukuhara (Japan)
Satoshi "Cha" Nakui (Japan)
Thomas Fehlmann, Ph.D. (Sweitzerland)

2000

Kozo Koura, Ph.D. (Japan)
Georg Herzwurm, Ph.D. (Germany)
Dilworth Lyman (USA)

1999

Michiteru Ono (Japan)
Anders Gustafsson, Ph.D. (Sweden)
John Terninko, Ph.D. (USA)
Jack ReVelle, Ph.D. (USA)

1998

Bo Bergman, Ph.D. (Sweden)
Glenn H. Mazur (USA)
Tadashi Ohfuji (Japan)
Richard E. Zultner (USA)

1997

Robert M. Adams (USA)
Don Clausing, Ph.D. (USA)
Alberto Galgano (Itlay)
Hisakazu Shindo, Ph.D. (Japan)

1996

Bob King (USA)
Larry Sullivan (USA)
Tadashi Yoshizawa, Ph.D. (Japan)