Born on May 25, 1961.
After graduating from a local high school, he pursued his dream of becoming a sound engineer and enrolled in an audio engineering school in Tokyo.
He initially worked in Tokyo after graduation before returning to his hometown to apply his skills at a local company.
He joined the family business in 1989. When the rise of Chinese manufacturing led to a decline in orders and pushed the company into financial hardship, he successfully rebuilt it.
He was appointed President in 2007.
To preserve Japanese traditions, he remains dedicated to creating umbrellas that can only be crafted in Japan, and specifically, only in Fukui.
Fukui as an Umbrella Production Hub: From 860 Companies to the "Last One Standing"
The history of Fukui Yougasa is deeply intertwined with the local community's way of life. Founded in 1972, the company started as a way to provide at-home work for women from farming families who were left without jobs in the winter. At the time, the textile industry was booming in the Fukui-Sabae area, making it an ideal location for sourcing umbrella fabric. This is how umbrella manufacturing became a cornerstone of the regional economy.
However, as times changed, many umbrella manufacturers moved their production to China. Swept up in the tide of mass production and lower prices, factory after factory disappeared. Fukui Yougasa was no exception, facing a crisis when its OEM contracts dried up completely. Still, the founder stood firm, declaring, "We can't come back from zero. At least one of us has to remain."
What remained in the shuttered factory were the skills honed by its artisans and a spirit of craftsmanship rooted in the region. With the firm conviction that "quality is our only path forward," the company pivoted to creating its own unique brand of umbrellas.
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