Interview with Takada Naoshi, Vice President of Kojima Chamber of Commerce
Takada Naoshi, who serves as the Vice President of Kojima Chamber of Commerce, is also active as the Representative Director of Takada Orimono Co., Ltd., which has the highest production volume of tatami edging in Japan.
We spoke with Takada about the town development initiatives being undertaken by the Kojima Chamber of Commerce.
The charm of Kojima, one of Japan's leading "textile towns"
What do you think are the strengths of Kojima as a "textile town"?
Takada (honorific omitted)
From the perspective of the textile industry, the horizontal connections are very strong.
Instead of conducting integrated production in-house, we all work together to create a single textile product by taking orders in our respective areas of expertise, such as cutting, sewing, and processing.
Since it is a business that circulates within the region, if even one company or craftsman is missing, it can cause fatal damage. That is why we support each other in manufacturing to ensure that work does not stop.
Moreover, the textile industry is a job that accompanies life. Even after the age of 70, there are many places where one can work as long as they have experience, and I believe that the environment where people are continuously needed is also a unique strength of Kojima.
Kojima has a popular image as a place to move to. I thought it was a region with many attractions in terms of living.
Takada
There are many people in Kojima who are moving or living in two locations.
These individuals are sharing the good aspects of Kojima that even locals may not notice, and I feel that "there are still treasures sleeping in the region."
The area is blessed with the sea and scenery, and there are jobs and environments where one can work for a long time. The strong horizontal connections create a natural gathering of people, leading to the birth of communities and a rich overflow of manufacturing. Personally, I think this is a wonderful charm.
What kind of town development is Kojima aiming for?
What initiatives are necessary to solve the labor shortage in the textile industry?
Takada
First, it is important to have charm as a place to live.
If there are no residential areas in the town, people cannot live there.
Furthermore, if there are workplaces and schools within commuting distance and convenience for shopping is not ensured, people will gradually leave.
Even if we promote the idea that "the textile industry is attractive," if the charm of living as a place is lacking, the industry will ultimately not be sustainable.
To secure young talent, we are holding the "Kuratan Joint Company Information Session" in collaboration with Kurashiki City College, but I also believe that initiatives to revitalize the entire town are necessary.
What specific initiatives do you think are important?
Takada
I think increasing restaurants, creating vibrancy in front of the station, and attracting condominiums will also be important.
When considering the survival of our company, developing sales channels can be managed in various ways, but regional issues such as population decline and the closure of suppliers cannot be resolved by the power of a single company. I believe that town development is a challenge that must be tackled by many people.
What does Takada think town development is?
Takada
There are various forms of town development, and there is no correct answer.
For example, it is important for large companies to create local employment and pay taxes, and I believe that creating an environment where shopping is not a problem and living is easy is also part of town development.
Within that, I believe that my vision of town development is human resource development. Increasing the number of people who can engage in town development is what Kojima needs moving forward.
So, what does it mean to have people who can engage in town development? I think it means people who can build connections.
To revitalize the town, cooperation with those around is essential. For example, even if you have 1 million yen to hold an event to liven up the town, if you don't have companions, you can't do anything.
Setting the goal of nurturing people who can engage in town development, that is, building connections, is what I aim for.
Nurturing the next generation to support Kojima
When considering "town development = building connections," what kind of companions do you hope to see more of?
Takada
I believe that it will be people who have a mindset as economic individuals, not just those who want to make money, who will support the future of Kojima.
I would be happy to see more companions who have a passion for Kojima's textile industry and can think about the region as a whole, such as "How can we achieve wage increases for employees?" and "How can we attract young talent?"
I believe that Takada, who has a passion for Kojima, has likely mobilized many people in building connections.
Takada
At the Kojima Junior Chamber, I reached out to everyone I wanted to work with.
As a result, it led to an increase in membership, but I didn't just want to increase the number of members. I wanted to strengthen the network with people who have a genuine passion for Kojima and the textile industry.
I then gathered those with aspirations into committees at the Kojima Chamber of Commerce. I believe that by bringing together the core individuals in their 30s and 40s who are involved in Kojima's textile industry, we can enhance the momentum for town development.
Whether we can pass on the industry to the next generation depends on how much effort our generation can put into activities.
Please tell us about any current initiatives you are working on.
Takada
At the Kojima Textile Industry Future Vision Committee established within the Kojima Chamber of Commerce, we are continuously discussing what kind of human resources are needed to preserve the textile industry in Kojima and how to avoid the decline of the town.
To make Kojima a town that attracts work from all over Japan and the world, we are launching a new website and focusing on information dissemination. I want to make it a town where people with dreams come to Kojima without ceasing.
Imagining Kojima in 10 years
Please tell us about your future outlook.
Takada
Kojima is currently at a transitional period. Amidst a labor shortage, large foreign companies are entering the market, and AI is also developing, we must adapt to these significant changes.
At the same time, I believe it is also an opportunity to reflect on "what role the textile industry plays in the region" and "what kind of town we want Kojima to be."
I imagine being interviewed in 10 years, asking "Why has Kojima seen such an increase in young people and revitalization of the town?" and I am working backward from the necessary initiatives to achieve that.
The generational change of core individuals and building connections, as well as learning from those who come from outside the prefecture about the charms of Kojima that we may not have noticed, and disseminating that together, I envision a story where the attractiveness of the region as a gathering place increases.
What I aim for is, "Vitality for the region, dreams for the bearers."
Investing in people to create an environment where employees can live happily will ultimately lead to town development.
As a business owner, I also want to continue being a company that is loved by the community and needed by the world.
Conclusion
After the interview, I was surprised to see how much the Kojima Chamber of Commerce is focusing on community development in addition to business support. It is important to address labor shortages by simultaneously promoting industrial support and community development.
I believe that having people who are passionate and actively engaged in the community will surely be a positive factor for the city of Kojima.
I want to watch in real-time how Kojima will develop in 10 or 20 years.
Factors that cause business concerns are often referred to as "people, goods, money, and information," but the Kojima Chamber of Commerce provides support from various angles.
With a strong desire to fully support the creation of a work-friendly environment, those who want to challenge themselves to start a business or are struggling with their current jobs are encouraged to consult freely.
Data of Kojima Chamber of Commerce
| Name | Kojima Chamber of Commerce |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-37 Kojima Station Front, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, 2nd floor of Kurashiki City Kojima Industrial Promotion Center |
| Contact | 086-472-4450 |
| Website | Kojima Chamber of Commerce |
