Mishima Foods Co., Ltd.

Company overview

Have you ever heard of "Yukari" furikake? It is a furikake made by our company. There are very few Japanese people that have never heard of "Yukari," actually.

Our company, which makes a product loved by people in Japan, was founded as a small independent store. We aim to be a company that creates innovations based on our basic policy of "good products with good sales methods," and we continue to take on challenges at all times.

The company incorporates activities that make the most of the individuality of its employees, developing new products every year and collaborating with other companies to create new products. The company now develops and sells its own products not only in Japan but also in the United States, China, and Thailand, and has expanded its exports to 44 countries overseas.

Tatsuro Imamura, managing director, says: "We want to contribute to the health of mankind with the highest-quality red perilla. To achieve this, we must make 'Yukari' a global brand and continue to grow by always thinking about what we should do, as Mishima Foods."

For this reason, foreign nationals are active in the sales and research departments.

Work-life balance initiatives

The company values a "culture of caring for others." For example, a large number of female employees have been active after giving birth or raising children (acquisition rate of childcare leave in 2021: 100%). After returning to work, they are able to work shorter hours until their children start elementary school, enabling them to work longer, tailoring their work style to suit each individual employee.

In addition, the company has a work-from-home system and a nursing care leave system in place. In order for the company to constantly challenge itself and continue to grow, it provides an environment where employees can work happily, safely, and for a long time.

Mishima Shokuhin is growing because of employees like Mr. Xiao, who are active in the field.

Managing Director Tatsuro Imamura states: "We respect all employees regardless of whether they are new or experienced."

Mr. Xiao enthusiastically states: "There isn’t a lot of overtime work required at Mishima Foods, and we have an environment where employees can balance their private life and work. Mishima Foods has a system that allows women to work for a long time, and I believe that this is a company where I can work for a long time in the future. My superiors are like family. They teach me about work in a friendly manner, and it is easy to ask for advice."

The company has a system of club activities, such as a golf club and a camping club, which allow employees to interact with each other outside of work, leading to the creation of a family-like relationship.

Human resource development initiatives

The company believes in the importance of both "developing basic business skills" and "proactively utilizing employees' motivation and skills" so that innovation can always be created.

Employees can acquire a solid business foundation through basic training in their first, second, and third years at the company, as well as through the introduction of correspondence courses. In addition, there is an e-learning training program that allows employees to enjoy learning about the company's vision, history, and the president's thoughts through video clips handmade by the president.

One of the most unique features of this are the "B-side" activities. While "A-side” activities refer to the work assigned by the company, "B-side" activities are aimed at contributing to the company by making the most of one's individual skills and abilities. Employees are allowed to engage in these activities even during work hours, as long as they are activities that can contribute to the company. For example, an employee that is good at drawing manga (comic books) creates manga-style self-introduction sheets for salespeople, or an employee that is good at making videos independently produces PR videos for the company's products.

Managing Director Imamura states: "Anyone can propose products and services. I believe that by having individualities recognized by the company and by being able to contribute, the company becomes a fun place to be and work becomes more enjoyable"

Additionally, Mr. Xiao, who loves cooking, says, "I work in sales, but I participate in the development of menus using our own products. I am also involved in a project to develop new products for Thailand. Both of these projects help me as a salesperson to make new proposals to our clients."

Message from our top executive

Managing Director Tatsuro Imamura

We are a company that can take on new challenges. Because we are a small company with a small number of employees, we have an environment in which each individual can demonstrate all of his or her potential. If you want to make a change and take on a challenge, we want you to take on this challenge. Let's innovate together!

Message from foreign talent

Sales/Xiao Lin(China)

Until I joined Mishima Foods, I had a rigid image of Japan, with lots of overtime work and the inability to leave the office until senior employees return home. In reality, however, it is completely different. There is very little overtime work, and it is free and easy to work. And colleagues and superiors treat you as if you were family, making you feel comfortable. Please don't be afraid to challenge yourself!