[Fujita Someen Interview Part 2] Everything is about making our customers happy

------You said that making customers happy is the most important thing, but are there any other times in your work when you feel joy? Or even difficult times?

"The product came out exactly as imagined.

Or, it would be nice if we could create something even better.

If we can make a good product, our customers will be happy.

The hard times are when you fail.

We need to investigate the cause of the failure and deal with it, but sometimes we can't find the cause.

It's tough at times like this.

If you patiently investigate the cause and overcome adversity, that will also turn into joy."

------Changing the subject a little, Mr. Fujita, what are your thoughts on the dyeing industry, which has recently been facing a lack of successors?

"It's strange, but in this industry, many people pass it on to their children or relatives.

The dyeing and weaving industry has been shrinking recently, and I think there are many problems with regard to its future prospects.

Of course, this isn't limited to this industry.

I personally believe in doing as much work as I can.

To be honest, I think it's presumptuous to think about what will happen 50 or 100 years from now.

I believe it is important to face the present in order for the company and the industry to survive.

Because the future lies ahead of us now.

Taking your current work seriously will help you pass on to future generations what your predecessors have left behind.

I believe it is one of our responsibilities to live seriously in the present."

------It's true that we can't talk about the future without jumping ahead to the present. By facing the present squarely, Yuzen may remain for 100 or 200 years to come. Are there any future challenges for Fujita Someen?

"I don't think what we need to do will fundamentally change.

I would like to continue creating products that make customers happy.

I want to win the trust of customers with my products and not damage that trust.

The challenge from now on may be to continue the work that people can trust to be done there."

------Do you ever receive difficult requests from customers? I'd like to hear how you feel at those times and how you deal with them.

"That's a difficult request. That's true (laughs).

I don't feel like I'm in a difficult position. Rather, I feel like I've been given a task.

I even feel like, "Yes, here we go!" (laughs).

There is no such thing as an easy job, no matter what the job is.

So I approach every job with the same mindset.

We will provide the best answer we can to the given topic.

I think figuring out how to achieve this is also one of the joys of the job."

------You always put your all into your work. That attitude allows you to create products that touch the hearts of your customers. Finally, what does Yuzen mean to you, Mr. Fujita?

"A reason to live.

That's the one word. I've been working longer than I've ever worked in my life.

I didn't continue with the intention of continuing for a long time, but it just seemed like so much time had passed before I knew it.

Now that it has become so commonplace, I can't talk about my life without mentioning Yuzen and this job."