While shopping, there are products that make you stop and say "Oh!" and want to pick them up. The design of their packaging is filled with various ideas to convey the product's appeal at a glance.
Located in Kojima, Just Co., Ltd. is a design company specializing in packaging. They are also actively involved in community contribution activities such as workshops for children and cleaning volunteers, aiming to be a company that is needed by the community and society.
At Just, which values manufacturing and community, what kind of young employees are thriving?
Introducing a young employee working at Just Co., Ltd., Hongo Mei.
About Just Co., Ltd.
Just Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Just") is a design company that handles everything from planning and design of packaging to printing and manufacturing.
What Just values are the three features of "wrapping", "organizing", and "+α".
In "wrapping", they combine a variety of materials, shapes, and designs to bring out the product's appeal along with the creator's intentions.
"Organizing" reduces the hassle of customer orders by consolidating the contact points from planning to manufacturing and delivery, leading to a reduction in operational and time costs.
Furthermore, pursuing unique presentation methods and being able to propose "+α" is also a strength of Just. For example, proposals that connect to environmental conservation activities using eco-friendly materials or a commitment to Japanese manufacturing are just some of the many added values that Just offers.
Focusing on packaging, they also handle a wide range of designs for tags, business cards, logos, and promotional materials, boasting over 120 production achievements annually. They propose the optimal (the just) design for each product.
The designs created by Just are not only rich in individuality but also convey the passion of the creators, not just the characteristics of the products. The official website showcases their past production achievements, so those interested should definitely check it out.
Aiming to be a "Company Needed by the Community"
Just aims to be a "company needed by the community" and is also actively involved in community contribution activities.
From initiatives that allow local people to live safely, such as the Child 110 hotline and cleaning activities, to activities that nurture the creativity of the younger generation and expand their future possibilities, such as workshops for children and workplace experiences for students, they are taking on various challenges.
Not only do they create designs, but they also generously share the manufacturing know-how they have accumulated over the years for the benefit of the community, which is one of Just's attractions.
Moreover, it is also important for them to be a "company that is needed by employees". They focus on creating a comfortable working environment by supporting employee growth through training programs and networking events, as well as operating the 3S Committee for organizing the workplace.
Hongo at Just
The interview was conducted with Hongo Mei, a young employee in the sales department. Born in 2003, she is from Miyazaki Prefecture. She moved to Okayama Prefecture when she was in the first grade of elementary school.
Hongo previously worked in an office job, not in sales. When changing jobs, she decided to challenge herself again in the design industry, which she had admired during her student days, and joined Just in October 2025.
About Hongo's Job
Hongo is responsible for progress management of packaging planning, manufacturing, and sales. She works on creating the ideal packaging while coordinating with customers, designers, and external partner companies.
In addition to business negotiations and fieldwork, Hongo's job also includes detailed administrative tasks such as placing orders with external partners and preparing estimates. She sometimes requests manufacturing from overseas factories and strives to maintain Japanese quality standards while communicating with local representatives via email and other means.
I asked Hongo about the flow when requests or consultations come in.
First, she carefully listens to the customer's request regarding "what kind of product they want to create." Based on that information, she gathers reference materials such as good examples found in stores or past achievements of Just, and holds meetings to align the final image with the customer.
After that, she communicates the gathered information to the designer, and gradually shapes the design while interacting with the customer. Once the design is finalized, she requests the manufacturing company, and the product is successfully delivered.
Designs do not have a completed form from the beginning. How well Hongo can create a design that matches the customer's image is where her skills are showcased.
Encountering Just
During her student days, Hongo was also interested in jobs related to design. However, lacking experience with design software, she utilized the Hello Work service recommended by her university and took a clerical job after graduation.
In her first year at the company, due to various circumstances, she thought, "I want to work in a place where I can be more myself," and decided to change jobs. At that time, she received a call from Hello Work, and when she consulted with them, the person in charge, who had previously noticed Hongo's interest in design, introduced her to a sales position at Just. Although it was a different industry, she heard about the good character of the people working at Just from the person in charge and decided to attend the company information session.
On the day of the session, Hongo was the only participant.
The information session was held just for her, featuring a gesture game with employees, and she was enveloped in a warm atmosphere throughout, which greatly surprised her with its friendliness.
Moreover, she was impressed by the bright greetings from passing employees and the approachable atmosphere within the company. "I want to work with these people," she was strongly attracted to the character of the employees and decided to apply on the same day as the information session.
What Hongo Finds Attractive About Just as a Workplace?
Hongo believes the charm of Just lies in the "easy-to-consult distance between employees" and the "active community engagement".
The friendliness of the employees that she felt during the company information session has not changed after joining. Regardless of age or department, there is an atmosphere where everyone can casually share their opinions. This makes it a reassuring environment for new employees to consult about work.
Moreover, not only is it easy to consult, but there is also a sense of security in being encouraged with, "It's okay to fail, so try it your way." One of the attractions of Just is the environment where one can challenge themselves and grow, even from an inexperienced position.
Upon joining, she was welcomed with a hand-drawn welcome board and cake, and she shared heartwarming stories about receiving snacks from the president on a regular basis.
Additionally, Just is involved in community contribution activities, including local cleaning efforts. During these activities, there are opportunities to interact with local people, and Hongo felt the words she heard during the company information session, "We value connections with the community," come to life.
Whether inside or outside the company, Just values the connections of each individual. The culture of caring for people seems to contribute to a comfortable working environment.
Hongo, who joined Betty Smith, is entering his second year in 2026. We spoke with him about the joy of taking on a sales position with no prior experience and the warmth of the workplace he has felt since before joining the company.
Data of Betty Smith
| Organization Name | Betty Smith |
|---|---|
| Industry | Planning, manufacturing, and sales of packages |
| Representative Name | Sakai Kazuki |
| Year Established | 1997 |
| Address | 1-8-8 Kojima Ueno-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-472-7514 *Reception hours: Weekdays 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Website | Betty Smith Website |
