President interview
We cherish tradition, but we are not afraid of change.
That's the DNA of Ito Kampo Pharmaceutical.
Tracing our company's history, we originally started as a wholesaler of crude drugs. However, simply selling the crude drugs we purchased as they were wouldn't create any new value. So, we began processing them into health teas and other products ourselves, and we have a history of pioneering the market ourselves, even in an era when health foods had not yet established a foothold.
Darwin said, "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, but the one most responsive to change." The same is true for companies. That is why, while we cherish and uphold "tradition" and "integrity," we have not been bound by past successes, but have continued to change flexibly while staying in line with the times.
Our goal is to create products that customers will say, "I have to have this product."
What we value most is delivering the best possible experience to our true customers, the "end users" (consumers). Back when we primarily did OEM (original equipment manufacturing), our focus tended to be on our clients' buyers. But the people we truly want to please are the customers at the other end of the chain.
One day, a factory employee suggested, "Let's lay rubber sheets on the production line to eliminate the risk of tablets breaking." This kind of foresight and integrity, ensuring that no product reaches our customers without any defects, is the foundation of our company. We are committed to creating products that our customers will say, "I can't use anything else."
Going beyond the realm of "health",
We will also support your mental health.
Today, we have a broader understanding of the term "health." It's not simply the absence of illness, but rather the realization of "well-being," which means living a positive and authentic life.
That's why we don't limit ourselves to just the "food" category. For example, there's a product called "Clear Assist" that solves foot odor. It's not a food product, but by resolving odor problems, it makes a significant contribution to "mental health." We intend to challenge ourselves in all fields that contribute to the health of both mind and body, not only for humans but also for pet healthcare. In the future, we want to develop a brand that our employees can proudly tell their family and friends, "This is the kind of product our company makes."
Enjoy the changes together
Let's create "new value."
There are two important things I want all of you who are about to enter society to keep in mind. First, "have a clear purpose and goal." There is a study that shows that people who write down their goals on paper and keep them in mind at all times have many times more future assets than those who do not. Having a clear goal will greatly change your actions.
Another important point is "having a flexible mindset that can adapt to change." When you enter the workforce, you will inevitably encounter situations where what you previously considered common sense no longer applies. However, instead of viewing these changes negatively, I want you to have the wisdom to find your role and respond positively.
Our company has a culture that welcomes young people's "I want to try this" challenges. The process of breaking down the status quo and creating new value is sure to be exciting. I sincerely look forward to working with people like you, with whom we can laugh together 10 or 20 years from now and say, "I'm so glad I chose this company."