Hiroyasu Tsukamoto, President and CEO, Rokko Butter Co., Ltd.

2026.06.23

"Delicious" makes people happy.

■ Profile
Born in 1975 in Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture. Graduated from Kobe Gakuin University and completed graduate studies at the Graduate School of Business Administration, Kwansei Gakuin University. Joined Rokko Butter Co., Ltd. in 2000. After serving as Purchasing Manager in 2012, Director and Inami Production Manager in 2013, Senior Managing Director in 2017, and Executive Vice President and Head of Development in 2018, he became President and Representative Director in 2021. Since 2023, he has served as President and Representative Director and CEO, a position he holds to this day.

Hiroyasu Tsukamoto, President and CEO of Rokko Butter Co., Ltd., says he wants to make people happy with "delicious" food. Having learned through part-time jobs and reading newspapers during his student days, he now aims to "contribute to society by providing a healthy, bright, and enjoyable food culture." We spoke with him about his thoughts on the products, the future of the company, and his message to students.

During my university years, I put a lot of effort into my part-time jobs. During summer vacation, I would sometimes work all day, serving customers as a waiter in a restaurant. I enjoyed gradually learning the ropes of the job as I became familiar with both the dining area and the customers. The customers included office workers and families, and I found it rewarding to be able to talk to all sorts of people.
During my third and fourth years of university, I was also a member of a seminar. We would read various newspapers, research the economic and social issues behind the articles, and then present our findings. At the time, I was studying economics, but I believe that learning about not only economics but also the broader social context surrounding it through newspapers was a significant experience during my university years.
After graduating from university, I joined Rokko Butter. When I joined the company, I was told, "Whether you become president or not is up to you." However, I believed that you could only become president if you had luck and ability, so I never once said that I wanted to become president. I think that the position of president means bearing the responsibility not only for the employees but also for the lives of their families and those involved. When something happens, you have to be prepared to take responsibility yourself. I was surprised when I was appointed president, but as I grew and the pressure increased, my understanding of the weight of responsibility also improved, and I became able to handle things without worrying as much. That being said, as I had prepared myself for the fact that being president would be tough, there are still many times when I find it difficult.

■ The company's strength lies in its "small packaging" technology.

Currently, the cheese business accounts for 97% of Rokko Butter's sales. We believe our company's strength lies in our "technology for small packaging." Rokko Butter was originally a margarine company called "Heiwa Oil & Fat Industry." While making products for school lunches, we needed to package each product in small sizes, and that experience is still utilized in our current product development. I think we've always been a company that excels at packaging small items and delivering them to customers.
We also focus on creating a comfortable working environment. For example, we give baby products to employees who have given birth or who have had children. We are supported by many people on a daily basis, so we want to give back a little of that gratitude and share in the joy together. In the future, we want to make our company an even more comfortable place for every employee to work.

■Continuing to pursue "deliciousness"

What we value most in creating our products is "deliciousness." It goes without saying, but we don't release products that don't taste good. People won't reach for a product if it doesn't taste good. We believe that we eat every day, and our bodies and lives are made up of what we eat. That's why it's important not just to eat, but to eat while feeling that it's "delicious." Eating delicious food and savoring the joy it brings leads to daily richness, and that accumulation of experiences improves life itself. We believe there is great meaning in contributing to our customers' healthy bodies and fulfilling lives through our products.
Lately, I've come to realize that the standards for what Japanese people and people from other countries consider "delicious" are different. That's why I feel it's necessary to pursue what people in this country truly find delicious.
Another characteristic of our products is their relatively long shelf life. While many natural cheeses have a short shelf life, our products can be enjoyed for a long time by refrigerating them. We believe this gives them the potential to be enjoyed by more people over an extended period.
Furthermore, we are also putting a lot of effort into factory tours. By showing you the factory, you will not only gain knowledge about the products themselves, but we also hope that you will get a sense of what this company values. We would be happy if seeing the factory in person helps you feel closer to our products and our commitment to our customers.

■Challenges towards 2030

Currently, our goal is to become a "high value-creating company" by 2030. Simply put, this means striving to be a company that can make our customers' lives and the people around them happier than ever before. To achieve this, it is crucial that we become a company that our customers appreciate even more and that they can rely on even more. We are also focusing on expanding overseas, not just within Japan. We believe that the value we possess is not limited to Japan. We want to pursue products that people in each country will find delicious and deliver our products to people all over the world.

■Message to university students

Rokko Butter has a book called "Rokko Butter Philosophy" that summarizes its philosophy. At the end of the book, it says, "Make the most of luck and connections." I believe that when you face difficulties or setbacks, whether you simply dismiss them as "bad luck" or think of them as opportunities to move forward makes a huge difference in the rest of your life.
If you approach everything with a positive attitude and move forward, good fortune will surely come your way. I hope everyone will cherish their own "luck and connections."

Student Newspaper Online, May 22, 2026, Ichika Morigaki, 3rd year student, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies