A more efficient and cleaner factory than anywhere else

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"Even though the situation is so tough, no one is complaining. Above all, everyone is cheerful, upbeat, and thinking about the company." Yokota felt a vague sense of accomplishment. At the same time, he vaguely thought of a certain resolve.

"Let's aim for reconstruction, not just simple restoration. In other words, we'll make the factory more efficient and clean than anywhere else. With so many motivated people, we're sure we can create the best brewery. To do that, we must do whatever it takes to brew that beer (which will begin brewing in late September)."

The people sitting in the circle transcended boundaries of age, affiliation, position, and even full-time employment. There was a woman who guides visitors to the factory, an engineer who maintains the equipment, the factory manager, a forklift expert from a partner company, a brewing engineer, and a part-time office worker. Before remove background image March 11, each of them wore a uniform and did their own job. But now, wearing the same type of work clothes, helmets, masks, and work gloves, they were all picking up cans of beer that had been scattered by the tsunami. All together. There were about 17 million cans of beer scattered across the ground, along with pallets, beer crates, soil, and seaweed.

The site where four sake storage tanks collapsed due to shaking caused by the earthquake.
Enlarge photo
The site where four sake storage tanks collapsed due to shaking caused by the earthquake.
In addition, four storage tanks, which are the symbol of the brewery, have collapsed.

"In overseas companies where work roles are strictly defined and compensation is determined by role, it is unthinkable that everyone would gather together to pick up beer cans. This shows the benefits of lifetime employment, which fosters company loyalty."

As he enjoyed his boiled eggs, Yokota felt comforted and encouraged by everyone's smiles.

Yokota was born in February 1961 in Okayama Prefecture and joined the company in 1984 after graduating from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology. He has a long history in the brewing industry, having worked at factories all over the country. In addition, about five years ago he was president of a manufacturing subsidiary in Western Australia, which employed about 23 people.

On March 11, Yokota was in Sendai, but on that day he still held the title of Chief of the Production Management Department at the head office. He had been appointed as the Sendai Factory Manager on March 29, and had come to Sendai to take over. It was also his first time as a factory manager.