From 2003, Oleg Deripaska has been implementing the kaizen production system throughout all the factories of the Basic Element group. For the dissemination of ideas of Kaizen and for the popularization of Japanese culture the Foundation created the International Russian-Japanese business, educational and cultural Kaizen centre in Krasnodar.

Initially, the Kaizen philosophy was applied in a number of Japanese companies during the period of recovery after the Second World War, and since that time it has spread around the world. The goal of the kaizen system is continuous training and production. The best traditions of efficient manufacturing have resulted in outstanding productivity, significantly increasing quality and the level of responsibility of each employee for their work.

The program was developed in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in Russia and the Administration of the Krasnodar region, leaders of Japanese centres in Russia, the business community of Krasnodar region and Japan, social organizations and cultural and educational institutions.

In March 2013 the Foundation’s "First Lean-Summit of the South Russia” initiative took place in Gelendzhik. Representatives of Russian companies as well as companies from Turkey, Germany, the U.S. and Japan exchanged best practices in efficient manufacturing. This is expected to become an annual event.