Dear FBN Japan Members,<\/p>\n
Thank you very much for your continued understanding and support of FBN Japan\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n
We are pleased to announce a special collaborative event with the 100-Year Management Research Organization<\/strong>, chaired by Professor Toshio Goto. We will participate in its 118th Online Research Meeting<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Our guest speaker will be Mr. Yusuke Shiino, Chairman of Kanai Shuzo Co., Ltd.<\/strong>, the only sake brewery in Hadano City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The company was founded in 1868 (the first year of the Meiji era)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Kanai Shuzo was founded in the first year of the Meiji era by a woman named Riki Sano<\/strong>. Using the pure underground water from the Tanzawa mountain foothills as its brewing water, the brewery has continued producing sake, particularly its signature brand Shirasasa Tsuzumi<\/strong>. It has also maintained a close relationship with Shirasasa Inari Shrine in Hadano and has developed as a sake brewery deeply rooted in the local community.<\/p>\n However, the company faced a serious crisis due to the decline in demand for sake and the deterioration of its business caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n In 2021, the sake brewing business was separated and Kanai Shuzo Co., Ltd.<\/strong> was established. In the same year, Kujira Capital<\/strong>, an investment fund specializing in supporting the digital transformation and revitalization of small and medium-sized businesses, acquired the sake brewing business. Mr. Hiroyuki Sano<\/strong>, the sixth-generation member of the founding family, became President and Representative Director. Under his leadership, the company pursued business revitalization through digital initiatives, including launching an e-commerce site, utilizing social media, and undertaking a rebranding strategy.<\/p>\n In January 2023, the shares were transferred from Kujira Capital to Cocohada LAB Co., Ltd.<\/strong>, a local company working to revitalize the Hadano community. Mr. Yusuke Shiino<\/strong>, a young local entrepreneur with no previous experience in sake brewing, took over the management.<\/p>\n While the sixth-generation member of the founding family remained as President, Mr. Shiino became Chairman and took the lead in managing the company. Thus began a new phase of business revitalization through third-party succession<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Under Mr. Shiino’s leadership, Kanai Shuzo has adopted the vision of becoming \u201ca sake brewery open to the local community\u201d<\/strong> and \u201ca sake brewery that brews the future.\u201d<\/strong> The company has been transforming itself into a business that grows together with the local community while preserving its traditional craftsmanship. Initiatives include a brewery festival, the \u201cMirai-zake\u201d<\/strong> project using locally grown Hadano rice and local water, new brands such as Kurozasa<\/strong>, and the development of craft liqueurs.<\/p>\n At this research meeting, we will explore how a sake brewery with more than 150 years of history chose third-party succession<\/strong>, moved from revitalization through an investment fund to succession by a local company, and succeeded in balancing tradition with innovation.<\/p>\n Mr. Shiino will share his experience and insights into third-party succession at long-established companies, collaboration with local communities, and business revitalization<\/strong>.<\/p>\n We sincerely hope that you will join us.<\/p>\n Date & Time:<\/strong> Tuesday, September 15, 2026, 18:00\u201319:30 JST<\/p>\n Venue:<\/strong> Zoom Webinar 18:00<\/strong> \u2013 Opening and introduction of the purpose of the meeting by the Secretariat<\/p>\n 18:05<\/strong> \u2013 100-Year Company Talk Session<\/p>\n 19:25<\/strong> \u2013 Closing remarks and questionnaire<\/p>\n 19:30<\/strong> \u2013 End of the meeting<\/p>\n Mr. Yusuke Shiino<\/strong>Details<\/h2>\n
\nAdvance registration is required. Registered participants will receive a participation URL. If you do not receive the email, please contact the secretariat.<\/em><\/p>\nSchedule<\/h3>\n
Guest Speaker \u2013 118th 100-Year Management Research Meeting<\/h3>\n
\nChairman and Representative Director
\nKanai Shuzo Co., Ltd.<\/strong><\/p>\nRegistration<\/h3>\n