Interview with Murakami, Director of Tora Soy Sauce
I spoke with Murakami Yukihiro, Director and Head of Production at Tora Soy Sauce.
Changes in the Environment Surrounding Soy Sauce
Tora Soy Sauce has been rooted in Okayama Prefecture for a long time, but do you have any particular commitment to product creation as a long-established soy sauce brewery?
Murakami
At Tora Soy Sauce, we are committed to creating products that match local tastes.
In fact, the taste of soy sauce varies by region.
There is a tendency for the sweeter soy sauces to be preferred the further west you go.
In Okayama Prefecture, sweeter soy sauce is preferred.
By the way, in Kyushu, even sweeter soy sauces are preferred.
On the other hand, we also offer products that adhere to the traditional taste of soy sauce.
Tora Soy Sauce also produces "Tomoé Soy Sauce" and "Tomoé Sauce." Why do you manufacture the Tomoé brand?
Murakami
The Tomoé brand was originally a brand of a company called Tomoé Soy Sauce in Okayama City.
Originally, the former president of Tora Soy Sauce and the executive of Tomoé Soy Sauce were senior and junior at an agricultural university.
However, Tomoé Soy Sauce had to go out of business.
Therefore, due to our close relationship, Tora Soy Sauce decided to inherit the traditional Tomoé brand.
You have been making soy sauce for many years. Have you noticed any changes in the environment compared to the past?
Murakami
The biggest change is the Westernization of food.
Due to the Westernization of food, the demand for soy sauce has declined.
In the past, we used to brew soy sauce all year round.
Now, it is on a declining trend.
Do you have any measures to address the decrease in demand for soy sauce?
Murakami
While the demand for soy sauce is on the decline, the demand for soy sauce processed products is increasing.
Therefore, we have been increasing the production of soy sauce processed products.
We are focusing on products with originality unique to Tora Soy Sauce, such as "Yellow Nira Soy Sauce".
We have also prepared gift sets and other products for gifting.
How about overseas demand?
Murakami
Overseas demand is also on the rise.
The key point is that Japanese cuisine was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
This has led to an increase in demand overseas.
Particularly in Asia, especially China, sales are increasing.
In China, "Kombu Dashi Soy Sauce" is popular.
Other products like tomato sauce are also selling well.
In China, there is a tendency to value children due to the one-child policy.
Therefore, we are focusing on products for children in China.
Impact of the July 2018 Heavy Rain
The July 2018 heavy rain caused significant damage in Okayama Prefecture and other parts of western Japan. Did Tora Soy Sauce experience any damage or impact?
Murakami
Fortunately, there was no damage to our employees during the heavy rain disaster.
Additionally, the area where Tora Soy Sauce is located, Sakatsu, is geographically prone to flooding, but we also avoided damage to our facilities.
However, business partners and employees' families were affected.
My family was also affected, so I was very worried.
Moreover, a restaurant that is a business partner located in Mabi was also affected.
I remember going to help with the cleanup.
It was in the middle of summer, and it was hot, plus being a restaurant, there were issues with food spoilage, so I remember the cleanup being quite difficult.
Thoughts on Soy Sauce Production
Do you have a commitment to using local ingredients, such as in "Yellow Nira Soy Sauce"?
Murakami
I want to contribute to the community by actively using local ingredients.
I would like to further develop products using local ingredients, such as "Yellow Nira Soy Sauce" and "Coriander Dressing".
For example, we have also created "Brown Mushroom Soy Sauce" using mushrooms, a specialty of Okayama Prefecture, and "Yuzu Soy Sauce" using yuzu juice from Okayama Prefecture.
As a long-established company, what kind of thoughts do you have regarding soy sauce production?
Murakami
At Tora Soy Sauce, we have been producing soy sauce with the thought of delivering delicious products for family gatherings to energize the community since our founding.
Additionally, it is also an important theme to create products that children can eat with peace of mind and to realize food safety, security, and trust.
In the future, we want to continue to create products that energize the community.
Conclusion
Despite being a long-established company with over 150 years of history, Tora Soy Sauce actively develops new products.
I felt that there is a commitment to "food safety, security, and trust" and the desire to "create family gatherings through products and energize the community" since its founding.
The long-standing presence of products marked with the tiger symbol in Okayama Prefecture is likely due to Tora Soy Sauce's sincere desire to contribute to the community.
Such Tora Soy Sauce products can be purchased at the official online shop, Tora Soy Sauce headquarters, major supermarkets and grocery stores in Okayama Prefecture centered around Kurashiki City.
They are also available in the Bikan Historical Area of Kurashiki.
You can find them at places like the Kurashiki Meisan-kan, so why not take a look?
Data of Tora Soy Sauce Co., Ltd.
| Organization Name | Tora Soy Sauce Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food Manufacturing and Sales (Soy Sauce, Seasonings, Miso, Beverages, Alcoholic Beverages, etc.) |
| Representative Name | Miyake Masaki |
| Year Established | Established: 1918, Founded: 1860 |
| Address | 2362 Sakatsu, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-0233 |
| Website | Soy Sauce Brewing, Commitment to Soy Sauce, Soy Sauce Processed Products - Tora Soy Sauce | Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
