Interview
Every year, many mt fans visit the factory tour from all over Japan.
What inspired the company to start offering factory tours?
We spoke with Takashi Kamoi, President and CEO of KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD., and Shin Takatsuka, Head of the Consumer Products Department.
How “mt” came to be
Why did a company that made Haitori paper products decide to make masking tape for stationery and miscellaneous goods?
Kamoi (honorific omitted)
It began 16 or 17 years ago, when we received a letter from three women in Tokyo.
They asked us to “make colorful masking tape.”
At the time, there were eight tape manufacturers in Japan. The women apparently approached all of them, but were turned down by every company except ours.
We first made masking tape in 20 colors, and “mt” was born.
So that’s how it happened. It must have been difficult to enter a completely unrelated field. What made you decide to take on the request?
Kamoi
The story behind Haitori paper also began with a customer asking us to make it because there were so many flies and it was unsanitary.
Later, during the boom in car ownership, we produced tape needed for painting cars.
When shipping containers changed from wooden crates to cardboard boxes, it became essential to replace nails with packing tape, so we started making it.
We work by considering what society needs in each era and how we can use our adhesive technology to provide a product, service, information, or technology to solve those needs.
That’s why, with “mt” too, we responded to customer requests and used our adhesive technology to fulfill their wishes.
I see. So was the factory tour for mt also started in response to customer requests?
Takatsuka (honorific omitted)
One of the reasons was that customers said, “We’d like to see where masking tape is made.”
We also had many materials documenting the history of KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD. in storage, so we started the tour to create a place where everyone could come and see them.
Applying for the factory tour
How many people apply for the factory tour, and how many visitors do you receive?
Takatsuka
This time, we received around 40,000 applications.
We limit the factory tour to 1,000 people per day.
The tour runs for two weeks, so 14,000 people visit us each year.
This year (2023), the odds were about three to one.
That’s a lot of applicants. Are there customers who are especially eager to go?
Kamoi
Thanks to you, mt has many devoted fans.
We heard that people felt it was unfair that they could attend events held around Japan, but the factory tour held in Kurashiki had a limited capacity and required winning a lottery. So, five years ago, we introduced a stamp-rally app.
By collecting ten stamps at events and elsewhere, people can get a ticket to the factory tour with priority.
That’s great. Is the tour held at the same time every year?
Takatsuka
Previously, in response to customers who said they wanted to come with their children, we held it around spring break.
Since 2022, we have collaborated with JR West and the Okayama Prefecture Tourism Federation and taken part in the Okayama Destination Campaign.
As a result, the 2023 tour was held in September.
To attract tourists to Okayama Prefecture, tourist destinations collaborate with “mt” to create special spaces decorated with mt for a limited time in summer.
In 2022, the Ushimado and Inujima Island areas were decorated, and in 2023, the Hiruzen area and the former Fukiya Elementary School in Takahashi City were decorated with “mt.”
Also, in 2023, for the first time, a special exhibition and mt shop opened for a limited time at Aibi Red Brick Hall in Kurashiki Ivy Square, attracting many visitors.
About the Support Shops
You can get original mt not only at the factory tour, but also at shops in Kurashiki.
Kamoi
At shops that supported this factory tour, mainly in the Bikan Historical Area, customers who meet each shop’s requirements receive an original masking tape from that shop.
We want people who visit the factory tour to also explore Kurashiki and enjoy the city.
We also hope that tourists will eat and shop at Kurashiki’s tourist destinations, contributing to the local economy.
Looking ahead
KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD. celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023 and held various events. Have plans for next year been decided?
Takatsuka
The factory tour dates haven’t been decided yet, but we plan to hold it somewhere, so please look forward to it.
Kamoi
Even though it’s been 100 years, it doesn’t really feel that way.
We believe we’ve come this far thanks to those who came before us. We are grateful to our customers who have supported us and everyone who has been involved, and we will continue working hard to pass this on to the next generation.
From the Writer
The “mt factory tour vol.12” made space available in a place normally used as a factory. Employees who work at the factory arranged the displays, handled the cash register, and explained the tour.
All the employees worked together as one to welcome visitors and fulfill their wishes.
They were not only captivating tourists, but also contributing to the local economy, with a strong desire to bring Kurashiki to life and make everyone in the community smile.
With new cute designs appearing one after another, KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD.’s “mt” is loved by so many people and will surely continue to develop in exciting new ways.
Perhaps the day when Kurashiki is called “the city of mt” is not far off.
The factory tour, held once a year at the Kurashiki head office, is eagerly anticipated by many fans across Japan every year.
I am one of them.
Let’s look forward to seeing when and in what form the factory tour event will be held in 2024.
Articles about KAMOI KAKOSHI CO., LTD.
mt factry tour vol.12 details
| Name | mt factry tour vol.12 |
|---|---|
| Dates | September 6–20, 2023 |
| Location | 236 Katashima, Kurashiki City |
| Participation fee (tax included) | Free. Only those who apply and win a lottery can attend. |
| Website | mt masking tape |
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