Interview with the representative of Sakamoto Egg and the representative of Irodori Consultation Support Center
We interviewed Mr. Sakamoto Akiyoshi, President of Sakamoto Egg Co., Ltd., and Mr. Sato Masakazu from Irodori Consultation Support Center about the background leading to the opening of the Mizushima Shopping Street direct sales office and their future prospects.
The shared desire of both parties to revitalize Mizushima Shopping Street leads to the establishment of the direct sales office
Can you tell us about the background of opening the direct sales office for Sakamoto Egg in Mizushima Shopping Street?
Sakamoto (honorific omitted)
Since the headquarters factory of Sakamoto Egg was in Mizushima, I have been familiar with Mizushima Shopping Street since I was a child.
As the once vibrant shopping street declined due to the emergence of large shopping malls, I have always had a desire to restore its former vitality.
In 2020, Sakamoto Egg established its first direct sales office at the Mizushima headquarters factory. At that time, there was also a proposal to create a direct sales office in Mizushima Shopping Street.
However, due to circumstances, the direct sales office established next to the headquarters factory became the first one.
Nevertheless, I still had the desire to create a direct sales office in Mizushima Shopping Street and was looking for properties. It was during this time that I received a proposal from Mr. Sato to "open a direct sales office for Irodori in Mizushima Shopping Street."
Sato (honorific omitted)
The "Irodori Consultation Support Center" officially started its services in April 2025.
However, the consultation support center is a place where people in need come at the timing they require. Therefore, unlike work facilities, people with disabilities are not always present here.
Because of this, while we wanted the local community to know about our existence, we struggled to find a way to do so.
While I was contemplating what to do, a friend informed me that "Sakamoto Egg is looking for a place to open a direct sales office in Mizushima Shopping Street."
At the neighboring employment transition support Irodori, users are engaged in production activities from packing to wrapping organic fertilizer using Sakamoto Egg's organic fertilizer, so I was aware of Sakamoto Egg's existence from the beginning.
If we place Sakamoto Egg's products at Irodori, local people might casually visit here, and while they are here to see the products, they might start conversations like "Actually, I have a family member with a disability...".
Even if someone is currently able-bodied, anyone can become a person with a disability due to illness or injury. That’s why, if a direct sales office is established in Mizushima Shopping Street, when customers visit and there are people with disabilities around, they might think, "I should consult with Irodori."
By collaborating with Sakamoto Egg, I feel that various possibilities are opening up for Irodori, so I reached out to see if we could open a direct sales office here.
Sakamoto
After talking with Mr. Sato just once, I immediately thought, "I want to run a direct sales office with these people."
For us, the direct sales office had many challenges such as rent and labor costs, but by being able to use Irodori's facility, we could reduce the burden on rent. Furthermore, since they would also provide sales staff, we were able to keep labor costs lower than expected.
Hearing that it would also be beneficial for Irodori, preparations for the opening proceeded smoothly, and we successfully opened on April 21, 2025 (Monday).
The direct sales office where the environment sought by Irodori and the business environment sought by Sakamoto Egg overlap
Are there any unique initiatives at the Mizushima Shopping Street direct sales office that differ from other Sakamoto Egg direct sales offices?
Sakamoto
We do not have our employees as sales staff.
Since the Mizushima direct sales office is next to the headquarters factory, we can replenish products from the factory when stock runs low, and the Bisei direct sales office also has an environment that makes inventory management easy.
However, the Mizushima Shopping Street direct sales office is a bit distant from the factory, and our staff is not stationed there. Therefore, inventory management is somewhat trial and error.
Additionally, since external individuals are handling sales, we have changed the register and other operations to simpler versions. The Irodori staff are always considering ways to do things together, and our employees also make regular visits.
We want to create various forms of direct sales offices in the future, so I feel reassured that our employees are diligently thinking about and working on the operation here.
How is Irodori utilizing the Mizushima Shopping Street direct sales office?
Sato
Thanks to the establishment of the Mizushima Shopping Street direct sales office within Irodori, on Wednesdays when egg sandwiches are stocked, users from the neighboring Irodori help with the cash register.
They are just regular customers, and the person at the register happens to be someone with a disability.
In this way, it provides an opportunity for local people to interact with individuals with disabilities, and it also serves as training for the users in customer service. I believe having Sakamoto Egg's direct sales office within our facility is extremely valuable for us as a welfare service provider.
Even if we conduct employment training only within the facility, it tends to become simulated. However, when they go to the Mizushima Shopping Street direct sales office, real customers come in, which is a significant benefit for them, and it also helps Sakamoto Egg reduce labor costs, creating a truly win-win relationship.
The antenna shop × employment training for people with disabilities is a replicable initiative that could be implemented in other stores and facilities supporting the employment of people with disabilities.
Sakamoto
There are still very few places that operate stores in collaboration with welfare service providers like this.
I enjoy such "initiatives that are not yet widely practiced", and in that sense, I am excited.
The direct sales office as a catalyst for the intersection of business, welfare, and community development
Can you tell us about the reactions from customers?
Sato
There are many fans of Sakamoto Egg among our consultants, individuals with disabilities, and Irodori staff.
Especially after consultations, many people are tired, so being able to purchase side dishes here is great.
Also, eggs are a necessity.
Therefore, they have become a staple in our staff's kitchens, and many repeat customers come in about once a week or so.
For repeat customers, I believe it will become normal for them to know that there is a consultation support center in Mizushima Shopping Street and that individuals with disabilities are handling customer service for egg sandwiches.
If this normalcy continues, I hope that the presence of individuals with disabilities living in Mizushima becomes a natural sight for the local community.
Ultimately, I would be happy if that becomes a charm of Mizushima.
Sakamoto
At first, it seemed that not many people knew about us, and there were few visitors, but Mizushima has a strong community for each store, so we have been placing shop cards in stores we have become friendly with.
As a result, regular customers from those stores now come to the Mizushima Shopping Street direct sales office. We are grateful for that. It feels like customers are gradually increasing.
Additionally, since the Mizushima headquarters factory direct sales office was a bit far from the town center, opening a store in the shopping street has led to many local people visiting us.
How do you want to utilize the Mizushima Shopping Street direct sales office in the future?
Sakamoto
When we established the Mizushima headquarters factory direct sales office in 2020, I was shocked that the local people were not aware of our company. Even the people from the factory behind us did not know about it.
At that time, I felt the lack of promotional efforts and was quite frustrated.
Currently, we are creating panels to convey how Sakamoto Egg has been involved with the town of Mizushima and actively engaging in collaborations with local businesses.
Through this Mizushima headquarters factory direct sales office, I want more people to know about Sakamoto Egg's eggs and egg products.
Please come and enjoy our delicious eggs.
Sato
We are involved in supporting the employment of people with disabilities.
In that context, we are aware that they will eventually connect with society.
In that sense, I have an interest in community development.
I want this Mizushima Shopping Street direct sales office to become a catalyst and symbol for the intersection of business, welfare, and community development.
Please give a message to the readers.
Sakamoto
Including the Mizushima Shopping Street direct sales office, all direct sales offices initially have customers who come to buy egg sandwiches, and they return saying, "The eggs were delicious!" and then buy eggs to take home on their second visit. Many customers follow this pattern.
Indeed, some may feel that the prices are high compared to supermarkets, but we produce delicious eggs with a focus on feed, so please consider purchasing them.
Sato
Sakamoto Egg's eggs are truly delicious, and I want everyone to taste them.
At the same time, I want people to enjoy the fact that there is a welfare service provider in Mizushima Shopping Street, and among the sales staff, there are individuals with disabilities. I hope they can appreciate the scenery of this town.
Conclusion
What was impressive during the interview was that neither party used the phrase "because people with disabilities are working hard" even once.
Involving individuals with disabilities in the sale of egg sandwiches on Wednesdays, they made efforts such as simplifying the cash register method and avoiding complicated sales methods like set sales.
However, this is seen as a means to challenge the direct sales office model without having Sakamoto Egg employees stationed there, and it is regarded as reasonable accommodation that takes into account the possibility of individuals with various backgrounds working there.
Both Sakamoto and Sato passionately discussed the future of the direct sales office as business partners on an equal footing.
I hope that starting from the Sakamoto Egg Mizushima Shopping Street direct sales office, the landscape of various people living together, regardless of disability, becomes even more commonplace.
Sakamoto Egg Mizushima Shopping Street Direct Sales Store Data
| Name | Sakamoto Egg Mizushima Shopping Street Direct Sales Store |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-24 Nishisae-cho, Mizushima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-454-5700 |
| Parking | None Recommended to use nearby paid parking |
| Business Hours | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Regular Holidays | Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays There are days when it is open on Saturdays |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Sakamoto Egg |
