The desire to contribute to his hometown motivated his decision to join the companyKinsen Knit is expanding its share not only in Japan but also in Europe and other overseas markets through manu-facture of high-quality knitwear. Mr. Koichi Seino, production manager at the Fukushima plant, which was just opened in June 2018, says he decided to join Kinsen Knit after he was con-sulted about building the new plant by Mr. Hideichi Kaneoka, the CEO of Kinsen Knit.“Since I originally come from Fuku-shima City in Fukushima Prefecture, it wasn’t an entirely strange location, however, to be honest I did have some doubts and anxiety. That’s because I knew about the conditions in Katsurao Village following the Great East Japan Earthquake.”In June 2016, when the decision was made to build the new plant in Katsurao Village, the order to evacuate the village due to the effects of the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant had only just been lifted. The decisive factor behind his decision to move to Katsurao Village and lead the Fukushima plant in such conditions was his ambition for his home prefec-ture of Fukushima.“I wanted to contribute to Fuku-shima as much as I could. Ever since the Great East Japan Earthquake, that feeling had resided in my heart some-where. I decided to take the job of production manager at the Fukushima plant because I felt that its launch would be a major opportunity for me.”Drawn by rich nature,the decision was made tobuild a plantIt was Mr. Kaneoka who recruited Mr. Seino as production manager at the Fukushima plant. Originally, Mr. Kaneo-ka “wanted a new plant that could become a base for Kinsen Knit by performing integrated activities from manufacture through to shipping”. Around this time, he learned about the “System for subsidies for the location of businesses for creating employment for supporting the self-reliance and return of disaster victims”, which entails supporting enterprises advancing into Fukushima Prefecture with the objec-tive of supporting reconstruction, and immediately decided to apply for it.“Wanting to help the disaster-affected area as much as I could, I strongly sympathized with this system, which was intended to attain recon-struction from the Great East Japan Earthquake. When I imagined Kinsen Knit entering the disaster-affected area and vitalizing the local community through monodzukuri in the future, I had no hesitation.” (Mr. Kaneoka)When the company was selected under the System for subsidies for the location of businesses for creating employment for supporting the self-reliance and return of disaster victims in 2016, its financial prospects were settled, however, the plant location was the question. Mr. Kaneoka himself gathered information on municipalities in Fukushima Prefecture and selected four candidate locations. He made the decision to establish the plant in Kat-surao Village after visiting all four municipalities for himself.“I was just charmed by the abun-dant natural surroundings of Katsurao Village. The air was clean and the water was clear. Since it is tranquil and has no noise, employees can work in peace. I was convinced that we could create high-quality products in such an envi-ronment. Officials at the village office also gave us kind advice. There were not many people around, however, I Looking to 203004Kinsen KnitRoad to ReconstructionLocally employed workers [Unit: people]While contributing to population growth in Katsurao Village, the company intends to increase the number of local employees to around 40 and expand the business of its Fu-kushima plant. Also, having the Fukushima plant as its base, it aims to ship high-quality products inside and outside of Japan. Increase the number of local employees and expand the business of the Fukushima plantExterior view of the Fukushima plant2030●October: Start of construction of the Fukushima plant2017●May: Enhancement of knitting2019●May: Enhancement of sewing2020●May: Shipping of products from the Fukushima plant2021●January: Start of public advertisement for local employment●June: Start of full-scale operation of Fukushima plant●November: Participation in the “Fukushima Innovation Coast Framework” 201811●June: Decided to advance into Fukushima●December: Signing of the basic agreement concerning company location2016●December: Expansion of the Fukushima plant2021—2022Scheduled to increase to around 35−40 30405001020“Yui-no-ba” (business matching for local reconstruction)Applied under the System of subsidies for the location of businesses for creating employment for supporting the self-reliance and return of disaster victimsE15
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