An Innovator's Homecoming: The Origin Story of a 'U-Turn' CEO

"To be honest, the idea that I might one day take over the family’s traditional craft business was always in the back of my mind, and I wasn't thrilled about it."

That's how Tanaka recalls his teenage years and time as a student. Fascinated by gadgets and the IT world, he moved to Tokyo for university and went on to work as an engineer, carving out a career worlds away from his family's trade.

His life took a pivotal turn with the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Seeing the devastation in his native Tohoku region prompted him to rethink his path. "Should I stay in Tokyo with my IT job, or should I go back and keep the family business alive?" After some deep soul-searching, he decided to make the U-turn home.

The roots of his innovative ideas stretch back to his childhood. His playground was the workshop, a place abuzz with artisans. He remembers being fascinated not only by the sleek beauty of the finished pieces but also by the intriguing, uneven texture of the lacquer during its creation. He laughingly admits he often got scolded for playing with it.

This core memory of finding “the beauty in the making” would later sow the seeds for a groundbreaking new product.