04: Why financial professionals are supporting the seal industry, which is often said to be in decline.
Ieyasu: But these are people you don't usually see around seals. Lol. But what surprised me the most was the presence of bankers. Because usually, bankers are a bit reserved, in many ways. (Sorry.) It might be one thing if it was an industry that was on the rise, but the seal industry is one that people tend to say looks like it has a tough future. Investing in it and supporting it? That's pretty unusual. Don't you think that's what people say? Even within the bank.
Ikuhara: It's true that banks usually support the strengthening of current operations and their expansion, and it's important to aim for a sure return. In that sense, it's not an industry that can be said to be on an upward trend, with seals. Also, as a banker, rather than thinking about the quality of the object, seals are usually the most important part of procedures, and I've never thought about seal culture, because I live in a world where it's not an object but something that has meaning as a certificate or approval.
Ieyasu: And yet you continue to provide such enthusiastic support. Where do you see the potential?
Ikuhara: It's about turning our attention to completely different markets and targets than before. President Harada's company is taking on new challenges. I look at a lot of different companies, but it's rare to see someone trying something so new. Of course, there are some who say things like the balance between the time spent on support and the return, but I feel there's potential in this project because it's trying to propose a different meaning to new people than ever before.
Yamashita: Seals have been a hot topic, for better or worse. With all the talk about going paperless. The information coming in from the outside was about a shrinking industry and digitalization, but I think both Ikuhara and we feel that it's not necessarily the case. Well, the impact I had when I met President Harada was just too strong. To be honest, I think I was taken in by President Harada's rock spirit. I filmed some videos, and my conversations with President Harada were a source of inspiration.
Ikuhara: I don't think that way myself. (laughs)
Ieyasu: People who are drawn to the CEO's magnetic power. There are photos of the rock-and-roll CEO on the website.
Ikuhara: Of course, bankers support management and operations, so they keep a close eye on the numbers. But in the end, it's all about the people. As a commercial product, genjimetal is expensive, isn't it? Some people say, "Why would you buy something that expensive?" but I think anything that makes you want to talk about it sells. It's the same with sake and wine - anything that makes you want to tell others about it sells. When you stamp your seal on a business card, everyone always asks you about it. And then you start to talk. That's what a seal is.
Ieyasu: Looking around at the members of the roundtable, I felt that this team composition was exactly what Ikuhara-san sensed.
In fact, President Harada is also reaching out to the American and European markets.
Noguchi-san, please tell us your story about America.
Noguchi: Hello from Texas! I'm joining online.
Noguchi: Last year, we promoted it during the Christmas gift season in the US, and it had good results. After all, America is very large, and the culture is as different as a different country in each state. Many people are familiar with Japanese culture in the West Coast, such as Los Angeles and Cisco, and the East Coast, such as New York, but in Texas, where I live, it's like a 30-minute drive to the next house. So we have to change the way we approach things. But the fact that many people don't know about it means there's a possibility. It was the gift season that made me realize that.
Ieyasu: So SNS is mainstream in the American market as well?
Noguchi: Of course, but I think it's important to create a place where people can actually meet. What's interesting is the effect of analog events. Every town has a farmer's market, and there are local stalls there, and food trucks sell sushi and ramen, so Japanese culture is gradually spreading. Also, the influence of anime is quite large everywhere, and when I see a scene in an anime where someone is stamping something, I get interested and think, "Is this how you use a seal?!"
Ieyasu: It's important to think about how to create opportunities to meet people, both in Japan and the US. Both creators and financial professionals feel that there is potential in meeting new people.
If a seal is something that represents a person, then Harada Shokodo attracts people in an age where people are important.
It's getting interesting, so let's continue.
