The World Seeks Japan.
That's Why We Take Initiative from Japan,
with a Global Perspective
From my student days, I've been a "people person." I thought, "The number of people I can communicate with in Japanese is limited. If I could speak English, I could communicate with people worldwide..." With this simple idea, I went to America despite strong opposition from my parents. Living in the US became part of who I am - developing perspectives to view Japan from outside, habits of objective analysis, and communication skills to convey this to people from different cultural backgrounds.
After returning to Japan, I worked at a foreign company (Nordic), a small business (marketing specialist), and a government agency. At the foreign company, I learned the process of gathering global information and applying it to strategy and business planning, practicing cross-cultural communication daily. Having thought I knew everything after experiencing America, encountering Nordic values - a completely different cultural sphere - broadened my horizons further, teaching me the importance and fascination of viewing things from a global perspective. At the small marketing company of about 10 people, I met creators who were entrusted with work under their own names rather than company brand, becoming immersed in generating ideas from zero to one and the excitement of unknown possibilities. Later, at the government agency where I worked by chance, I learned how the government moves things, allocates budgets, how companies and organizations utilize these resources, and what challenges exist - gradually clarifying what I wanted to do and where my strengths could shine.
One thing remained constant despite changing workplaces and environments: the presence of "food." Originally a food enthusiast who considered "eating as life's purpose," I was always invited to food-related venues and sometimes called the "stomach manager" (laughs).
For example, at the foreign company, when the president visited from headquarters, discussions proceeded in a tense conference room atmosphere. However, when moving to dining afterward, the atmosphere completely changed. Tense expressions turned to smiles, conversations flourished, and relationships transcending positions and borders formed, even calling each other by first names. No one gets angry while eating delicious food, right? This seemed ordinary but actually remarkable. Eating is living - a basic human instinct, but food has greater potential beyond that... I began thinking this way. The inspiration from "people hired based on individual merit rather than company brand" during my small business days was significant. Also influential was my experience supporting family health and illness through food during my time as a full-time housewife after marriage. These experiences collectively led to establishing a specialized company focused on food.
The name "Office MUSUBI" embodies our desire to connect people, things, and events, and help bring them to fruition... but actually, this name also incorporates another meaning: "omusubi" (rice ball).
If we want to promote Japanese food globally, I thought "omusubi" would be appropriate as it's a soul food for Japanese people that also reflects Japanese rice cultivation culture and nature worship. In fact, "Office MUSUBI" is sometimes abbreviated as "OMUSUBI" by foreigners, and when I explain what an omusubi is, they listen with sparkling eyes, allowing me to inevitably convey Japanese culture and homeland.
"Connecting Japanese Food with the World." Japanese food and food culture are wonderful. Their profound appeal attracts high interest from overseas. Top chefs worldwide worship Japan as "overwhelming," desperately gathering information to learn as much as possible from this country's food culture, regularly visiting Japan during their vacations. They visit not only restaurants and bars but also markets and producers, taking notes on gestures and thoughtfulness. They never miss experiencing tea ceremony.
While Japan receives such attention, how is the Japanese side responding? Surprised by the rapidly increasing inbound tourists but still maintaining a passive attitude without initiative. The humility and domestic perspective that are Japanese strengths become obstacles to fully grasping major opportunities in this situation.
The world seeks Japan. That's why we take initiative from Japan, with a global perspective. I believe we've reached a time when Japan should create rules and lead the world.
"Where there is a will, there is a way." - words of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. To elevate Japanese food to the world stage, we develop initiatives that transcend industries and countries. I continue to challenge myself with the determination to do everything possible from my position.
Yuko Suzuki, CEO
