[The joys and sorrows of manufacturing] I'm honestly happy to receive a certificate of recognition for what I've continued to do. I feel even happier as an adult than I did as a child, probably because I've come to understand both the difficulty of continuing and the gratitude for it. So I think I was born in a good time to be a craftsman. The 89-year-old says that the period from the postwar period through the period of high economic growth was the best time for the manufacturing industry. Apparently, there was no product, so they made it and it sold. No matter what era you were born in, for people who lived their lives to the fullest, the era in which they lived was probably the best. I started working in 2000 and it's always been said that we're in a recession, but that's all I know, so I don't really feel it. For me, this is the best time. It's no fun living in an age where anything you make will sell. "It sells because there's no product in stock" is a boring reason for selling. I feel a little sad when someone says, "Anything is fine. Just give me that." If possible, I would be very happy if they could find something they like from the many options available and buy it. We live in an age where there is an abundance of goods, and it is said that manufacturers are struggling to sell their products, but for users, there are endless options available, from international brands to local domestic industries, and the range of preferences and hobbies has expanded greatly, allowing them to choose products more carefully and with more discretion. New products and services appear and disappear one after another, targeted at discerning consumers, and are quickly eliminated, but it's fascinating how the market itself seems to expand infinitely. I am truly grateful and happy that each and every one of them was chosen and purchased. We can say that we are living in an age where we can experience many such joyful things. We live in an age where even a naturally arrogant person like me can be truly grateful. There are various angles and scales, but in any case, "continuing to make good things" is difficult in any era. I've been hearing a lot about sustainability lately, and I think the key word for it is "without strain." If a company could survive by running it comfortably, healthily, and without distortion, no one would have any trouble. That's why it's difficult to "continue" doing anything. It is extremely difficult for a small manufacturing business to become independent in a large market. With no time, money, or effort to spare, they developed their own product, failing many times along the way. Next, as a minimum preparation, we spend the cost of materials to make inventory stock that has no guarantee of selling. Communication, sales, and promotions while cutting back on a limited budget. Even though we haven't made a single penny, expenses are taking precedence. It's totally impossible and unhealthy. The reason I still want to take on the challenge is because we live in a fun time filled with great possibilities. I think that in anything, things gradually get better after going through a series of difficult challenges. We want to grow as a furniture manufacturer that creates "authentic" products that only true craftsmen can make. That's why I was happy to receive this award, which recognizes us as a furniture manufacturer. We are happy that a small furniture workshop like ours is now included among such well-known major manufacturers as Hida Sangyo, Tendo Mokko, Condy House, Karimoku, Alflex, and Miyazaki Chair Manufacturing. All of this is thanks to this era. It is purely happy to be awarded for what have been committed to continue. Being awarded when matured would feet more happy compared to the period when I was child would be probably because I have known the difficulty to continue and the appreciations to others. I feel I am lucky to be born in the good era as craftsman. Grandmaster (in 89 years old) told me the era he run the factory would be the best for manufacturing industries from the end of World War II and high growth period in Japan. Given shortage of goods, as soon as manufactured, products were sold off. For those seriously committed to work, the period when they live as craftsman would be best whenever they are born. It has been always said to be depressed since 2000 when I had become working adult, thus, I have never realized it. For me, this prevailing period would be the best. It would not be fun for whatever products are sold as soon as produced. "The shortage of goods" would not be interesting reason for products to be sold. It would be a bit disappointed when I am told "I would like to buy your products because whatever I would like to buy." It would be more happy if our products are chosen among other alternatives as "I love your products!" There are many products available now. From manufacturers' point of view, it would not be easy for the products to be sold. On the other hand, consumers would be able to choose products with more considerations from almost infinity alternatives across overseas' bland and Japanese local manufacturers' ones. Many goods and services are born for consumers with expert eyes and disappear and bewilderingly selected, the market itself would be interesting given as if being unlimitedly expanded. I would really appreciate for every single client to buy KOMA products among other alternatives, which makes me happy. The prevailing period would be recognized as the era when we are able to feel such kinds of happiness. I, even as genuine conceited person, would be able to appreciate obediently. In any period, in nay measures and angles, "continuously making valuable products" would be difficult. Many have talked about sustainability these days, "Without extra efforts" would be one of the material key word for it. Everyone would be able to run companies if they would be able to survive without any extra efforts, soundly, without any dislocations. So, anything would be difficult to continue. Continuous extra efforts would be required for small manufacturers to be independent in the big market. Even with limited time, capital, and resources, it develops its own products. Then, it produces the minimum inventory stocks without any guarantees of sales after paying money for relevant materials. With limited amount of expenses, advertising, marketing, and sales promotions. Without any sales, expenses need to be paid in advance. It would be super extra efforts and unhealthy. The reason why I would like to challenge it, even under such difficult environment, would be this prevailing era would have the best potentials. Anything would have improved gradually with continuous extra efforts. I would like to grow KOMA as a factory highly producing "genuine" furnitures which can be made only by professional craftsman. So, I am very happy for KOMA to be awarded this time as evaluated as one of the factory for furnitures. I am happy for KOMA to be awarded as other famous manufacturers of furnitures including Hida Sangyo Co, Ltd., TENDO CO., Ltd. , CONDE HOUSE co. ltd., KARIMOKU FURNITURE NC., Alflex spa., Miyazaki Chair Factory Co. Ltd.. I appreciate this to this prevailing period.
