Masamitsu Kiyohara, President and CEO of CoCoRo Co., Ltd.

My life is made up of a series of connections and fate!

Masamitsu Kiyohara, President and CEO of CoCoRo Co., Ltd.

■ Profile
Graduated from the Department of Japanese History, Faculty of Letters, Kogakkan University in 1991, and completed the Department of Shinto Studies, Kogakkan University in 1992.
After serving at a shrine, he got a job at a private company. At the age of 30, he started his own business. He is a qualified Shinto priest himself and has a deep knowledge of the world of shrines. He is working to create new businesses that go beyond the boundaries of shrines and business, not just in the entertainment, business and travel industries.

Kanda Myojin Shrine, which spans Akihabara, Otemachi, Kanda, Nihonbashi, and Marunouchi, is now Tokyo, formerly known as Edo, and has a history of approximately 1300 years. Located within this historic site, CoCoRo Co., Ltd. operates the Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Center EDOCCO STUDIO, a facility where visitors can experience and learn about a wide range of Japanese culture, from traditional to subculture. We spoke with the company's president, Masamitsu Kiyohara, about the significance of his work, which connects culture with the modern world, and his student days.

■The importance of communication that part-time work taught me

After entering university, I devoted myself entirely to baseball. However, after injuring my shoulder in my second year, I became obsessed with motorsports, a sport I'd always loved. I got my kart license and went to races—I was completely obsessed with cars. During that time, a senior colleague introduced me to a part-time job at a gas station, where I developed my communication skills through interacting with customers. Through this part-time job, I learned that getting to know people and getting to know them is the shortcut to sales success, and that building friendships with others can have an impact on one's future. I still keep in mind the spirit I learned there: "Accept everyone, don't chase those who leave, and welcome those who come." I had completed my teaching qualifications by the time I graduated, but I wanted to find a job that would utilize the communication skills I'd developed during my time as a student, so I decided to pursue a career outside of teaching. I then attended university for another year and earned a Shinto priest license in my major.

■ I learned about the mindset of a manager by reading books

After graduating from university, I was asked by a shrine I knew to come and help out, and I ended up working as the shrine's chief priest for about four years. I was then involved in the commemorative events for the shrine's 800th anniversary. The experience of working with the local Chamber of Commerce was so stimulating that at the age of 27, I decided to leave the priesthood and enter the business world.

I chose Kyoto, the capital of Japan, where business is difficult, as the place to compete in business. I got a job at a trading company in Kyoto, where I absorbed a lot of knowledge by studying trade, learning about sales, purchasing, and gross profit, and reading books. Incidentally, I started reading books after the president of the company I was working for at the time gave me some advice: "Reading books will help you develop the sensibilities of various managers. You should definitely read them." I found this advice to be really helpful, and I still value reading books. I encourage everyone to start reading a variety of books now!

In this way, I thoroughly learned the basics of management over three years, and was able to go independent at the age of 30. After that, I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to serve as president of EDOCCO STUDIO, the Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Center. Looking back now, I realize that my current life is the result of a series of relationships with people. There is a limit to what you can do on your own, so the foundation of business is to first get cooperation and help from others. Then, listen carefully to what the other person is thinking, and then think about what you can do and propose it. It's truly a give-and-take relationship. Naturally, there are stresses in running your own business, but there are many benefits to doing it on your own rather than being told what to do by someone else, and it is very rewarding.

■ The appeal of CoCoRo is its unique combination of shrine and business

What's appealing about our company is that it is a facility that combines a shrine with a place where people can have a variety of experiences. Kanda Myojin is a shrine that stands out even among shrines. Being able to do business in a place like this is different from working in a hall or as an event planner. I find it very interesting to be able to do something new and innovative in an environment with such a long tradition and culture. I also think I'm probably the only one who knows both the worlds of a Shinto priest and business, so I feel like I've been entrusted with a unique job that no one else can do.

■ I'm attracted to people who take the initiative.

I would like to work with people who are cheerful, positive, and able to think for themselves. I think that anyone who wants to play in a sporting event will make themselves known in front of the coach. If you behave in the same way, you will naturally catch the eye of those above you. I also believe that the ability to make an appeal is linked to communication skills, so you will be able to create connections with people wherever you go. Once you graduate from university, you will all be freshmen in society. Because everyone is older than you, I think how you make yourself known becomes really important. I hope you will do your best to improve your ability to make an appeal.

■Message to university students

There are two main things I want to convey.

The first thing is to always have a goal. What do you want to achieve in life and by what age? Write it down in your planner, even if it's just a rough idea. After that, all you have to do is continue taking action and working hard to achieve that goal. In fact, I declared that I would become independent at the age of 30 (laughs). If you keep working towards that goal, it will surely come true.

The second thing is to cherish the environment where you can study at a company and get paid. There are many people these days who can take advantage of this opportunity to become independent and take on new challenges. Learn thoroughly what your seniors are doing and use it as knowledge to increase your own experience!

Interview with Student Newspaper Online on October 18, 2022 by Maho Wada, a third-year student at Nihon University