Abstract: Based on the structural functionalism, this essay argues that Japan’s “Quality Miracle” dues to the cultural traditions and the institutional innovation. Specifically, it includes the following three points: Firstly, Japan’s “quality miracle” results from the Japanese nation’s life attitudes and values which have been shaped by the Japanese special cultural traditions; Secondly, Japan’s “quality miracle” results from the Japanese governmental graduations, such as supporting graduation and punishing graduation etc; Thirdly, Japan’s “quality miracle” results from the scientific management systems of the various social organizations, such as the lifetime employment system, wage system based on seniority, employee centrism, and total quality management system etc. The interaction of cultural traditions, governmental graduations and scientific management systems has promoted the development and advancement of quality management in Japan.
Key Words: Japan; Quality Management; Cultural Tradition; Institutional Innovation