Mr. Takamori Okada, Deputy Branch Manager of Kita Sorachi Shinkin Bank, Imobeushi Branch, and Shinkin Bank's efforts to revitalize the local community through "Seka Shoku" (second-hand food)

Friday, November 5, 2021

On Monday, October 4th, the day after the online food overseas sales channel development business meeting "Food Business Meeting Connecting the World and Japan with Shinkin" was held, we took the time despite his busy schedule to speak with Takamori Okada, Deputy Branch Manager of the Imobeushi Branch of Kita Sorachi Shinkin Bank, about the business development of Kita Sorachi Shinkin Bank, including the food overseas sales channel development business meeting (Seka Shoku).

Food overseas sales channel development business meeting "Food business meeting connecting the world and Japan with Shinkin"

A speech by Takamori Okada, Deputy Branch Manager of the Kita Sorachi Shinkin Bank's Imobeushi Branch

What is a Shinkin Bank?

In collaboration with Shinkin Central Bank, the Shinkin Bank is working to revitalize the local community by providing support for COVID-19 related subsidies, introducing specialized personnel, and acting as a real estate agent.

About Seka Shoku "Food Business Meeting Connecting the World and Japan"

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are expanding our business with the hope of helping to increase sales by expanding various sales channels. As part of this business, the "Seka Food Business Meeting" was held.

The "Seka Food Business Meeting" is held by Shinkin Central Bank, which introduces various manufacturers (food manufacturers that do business with the Shinkin Bank) to various buyers (domestic trading companies with overseas sales channels) and encourages them to participate in the online business meeting.

This time, the SEKASHOKU project was initiated by the Shinkin Central Bank, through the intermediation of our Kita Sorachi Shinkin Bank, and the Kurosengoku Business Cooperative (Hokuryu Town, Hokkaido, Chairman Takada Yukio) raised their hand, leading to a business meeting. The project is carried out approximately once a year.

Participation in the Kurosengoku Business Cooperative Association's Seka Shoku

The Kurosengoku Business Cooperative has a track record of sales in Taiwan, so they hope to make use of this experience to make various connections. If the results of this business meeting continue to move in a positive direction, it may become the first Seka Food Business Negotiation Project mediated by Kita Sorachi Shinkin Bank.

Product elements handled by Seka Shoku

The products that Seka Shoku handles are required to have "original features and high product points, such as being unique to Japan, having a story behind traditions and manufacturing methods, having as long a shelf life as possible, and being safe and secure."

It is also necessary to determine whether the buyer's main export area is likely to accept the product and whether there is a high possibility of demand for the product.

Proactive efforts by credit unions

I believe that the role of Shinkin Central Bank and other shinkin banks will continue to be to provide opportunities for business negotiations in any form, including on-line negotiations and in-person negotiations between buyers and manufacturers, as was the case this time.

In the future, if we receive any information from Shinkin Central Bank, we will continue to reach out to our clients and actively act as a bridge to address various challenges, including initiatives like this one, human resources initiatives, and more.

Shinkin Central Bank and Shinkin Banks' Regional Revitalization Initiatives

• Food business meeting for Hong Kong, overseas sales channel business meeting for Japanese sake
• Shinkin Food EXPO 2021 (Online Business Fair) Food-related business meeting
  ・Organized by Shinkin Regional Network (2021/10/29~11/19)
  ・Online business meetings for food products, in which small and medium-sized businesses that are Shinkin Bank clients participate and buyers (a large number of buyers from a wide range of food businesses)

• Support for the recruitment of foreign human resources (specified skills) by care providers
  (1) Introducing successful applicants for the Specified Skilled Workers Examination from Indonesia, Nepal, and the Philippines
  (2) Employment support, including guidance on registration procedures, employment management know-how, rules, and housing arrangements
  (3) Creating an environment for the new recruits to settle in, including cross-cultural understanding training, support for planning their arrival, and regular communication before entering the country.

• Partnering with ALSOK to provide security support
• Lifesaving, emergency reporting system for the elderly, nursing care service support
• Hokkaido Hitachi Systems Co., Ltd. provides solutions to these problems
• Support for system design, development, construction, operation and maintenance
• Elderly relocation project (in partnership with NextStep in Sapporo)
  ・Support for those living alone (living alone) Finding a comfortable home, cleaning it up, and handling all the procedures from selling the home

• Vacant House Zero Yen Project (Zero Yen Urban Development LLC)
  ・A business that supports the creation of a sustainable society by disposing of unsellable vacant houses and utilizing zero-yen properties.

We anticipate that the need for measures to deal with vacant houses will increase in the future, so we will work with the town hall to address any issues that arise and undertake various projects.

"If you have any problems, please contact the Shinkin Bank. We have a wide range of options available to help you. We are confident that there is nothing we cannot solve. We hope you will feel free to contact us," said Deputy Branch Manager Okada.

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Kita Sorachi Shinkin Bank

Kita Sorachi Shinkin Bank was established in 1950 as Kita Sorachi Shinkin Kumiai (Credit Union), and was reorganized into a Shinkin Bank in 1951 following the enactment of the Shinkin Bank Law, and continues to exist to this day.
▶ For more information about Kita Sorachi Shinkin Bank, click here >>

◇ Photography and editing: Noboru Terauchi Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi