From Part-Time Worker to CEO: The Journey of a 22-Year-Old at CoCo Ichibanya Franchise

May 21, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - In an extraordinary promotion, 22-year-old Rino Morosawa has risen from a part-time worker to CEO. She is now the new president of Skyscraper, a company that operates CoCo Ichibanya Curry House franchises. Here is the story behind her rapid ascent to the top in just seven years.

From this month, Morosawa has been working as the president of Skyscraper, a company that runs 18 CoCo Ichibanya stores in Tokyo, Gunma, and other locations, with annual sales of about 2 billion yen and approximately 400 employees. On her first day as CEO on May 1, Morosawa expressed her enthusiasm: 'I am very motivated and love everyone here. I look forward to working with you all. Thank you very much.'

The day after assuming her role, Morosawa was seen in her uniform, actively engaging in customer service and preparation tasks at one of the stores. Despite being the CEO, she moved around the store more than anyone else.

Morosawa started working part-time at CoCo Ichibanya during her first year of high school. She appeared in the company’s PR videos and was passionate about customer service. After graduating from high school, she continued working part-time and at 19, she received the title of Customer Service Specialist, becoming the youngest to earn the 'Customer Service Star' designation.

Her life changed during a celebratory event, leading her to say, 'I was excited and thought, if I’m suitable, I’d love to do it.' Remarkably, in just seven years, she became the CEO. However, she admits that she has faced significant challenges, especially with managing sales targets and controlling food costs.

Reflecting on her promotion, the store manager she admires said, 'It’s not about having qualifications. It’s about working together to develop the company and the stores.' Morosawa is determined to follow this approach.

Skyscraper Chairman Nishiwaki, who selected Morosawa for the CEO role, listed essential qualities such as trustworthiness, a love for the company, dedication to on-site work, and honesty. Nishiwaki noted that age and gender were not factors in the decision. Since she lacked management experience, Morosawa underwent a two-year training program starting at age 20, learning various aspects of business management.

The new CEO has already begun implementing changes, such as offering eyelash perm vouchers as gifts to female employees, instead of the traditional celebratory dinners. This approach has impressed Nishiwaki, who believes that understanding what employees appreciate is crucial.

Looking ahead, Morosawa aims to continue being a hands-on CEO, stating, 'I want to be a president who works alongside everyone, sweating together and saying, "We did well today."' She also plans to open a new store with her own efforts by the end of the year.

Morosawa’s achievements and positive attitude demonstrate that age is not a barrier to leadership. Her journey is seen as a bold and challenging step by the company, and her willingness to learn and grow inspires support and encouragement from those around her.

Source: TBS

Typhoons No. 28 and 29 Bring High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Two typhoons moving across the Pacific southeast of Japan are expected to remain well away from the Japanese mainland, but powerful swells could bring rough seas to a wide stretch of the country's Pacific coastline throughout the three-day holiday weekend, according to forecasts updated at 3 a.m. on October 10.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Tokyo University of Science professor emeritus Kenzo Soai has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with French chemist Henri B. Kagan for discoveries that transformed scientists' understanding of how chemical reactions can favor one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Business NEWS

Nikkei Tumbles As AI Rally Reverses

Tokyo stocks fell sharply on June 26 as investors locked in profits from Japan’s record-setting AI-driven rally, with SoftBank Group and chip-related shares leading a broad retreat after reports that OpenAI may delay its initial public offering.

Japan's August Current Account Surplus Exceeds 4 Trillion Yen, Up 12%

Japan recorded a current account surplus of 4.062 trillion yen in August, an increase of 12% from a year earlier, driven primarily by a sharp rise in income from overseas investments, even as higher crude oil prices pushed the country's trade balance into deficit.

Japan's Household Spending Falls 3.1% in August, Ninth Straight Monthly Decline

Household spending in Japan fell 3.1% in August from a year earlier, marking the ninth consecutive month of decline as rising food prices continued to weigh on consumer budgets, according to the latest household expenditure survey released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on October 9.

Nikkei Stalls Near 67,000 as Oil and Yen Risks Offset Financial Gains

Tokyo stocks ended nearly unchanged on August 12, with the Nikkei 225 at 66,988.82, as gains in energy and financial shares offset weakness in electronics and pharmaceuticals while investors weighed higher crude oil prices, a weaker yen and growing expectations for another Bank of Japan rate increase.

Cyberattacks on Japanese Companies Expose Structural Weaknesses

Japan is entering a more difficult phase in its cybersecurity challenge, as a succession of major data breaches and ransomware attacks exposes weaknesses not only in corporate IT systems but also in supplier networks, governance structures and operational resilience.

Japan Beer Giants Raided Over Suspected Price-Fixing Cartel

Japan's four largest beer makers were subjected to simultaneous compulsory searches on October 7 over suspicions they coordinated wholesale prices for beer and other alcoholic beverages, in a rare cartel investigation that could lead to criminal charges.

Nikkei Falls as Profit-Taking Hits AI and Chip Shares

Tokyo stocks fell on October 7, with the Nikkei 225 closing at 70,036, down 648 points, as investors took profits in semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related shares after the index’s rapid climb above 70,000 earlier in the week.

How Japan Is Learning to Live With Years of Rising Prices

Japan's prolonged period of rising prices is continuing to squeeze households and businesses, driven by the weak yen, higher raw material costs and rising wages, forcing consumers to change how they shop and cook while companies search for ways to contain costs without losing customers.

< 2 3 4 5 >