What I Can Do for Japan

The other day, I went to the fashion center Shimamura and was deeply moved.

My daughter's favorite YouTuber had a collaboration with Shimamura, and she begged me to get her one of the collaboration hoodies.

When I searched online, it was out of stock on the Shimamura online store.

Thinking they might have it in stock at a physical store, I called the nearest one, but they didn't have it. Instead, they kindly gave me the names of several nearby stores that did.

I had been told that there might be a time lag in the inventory data for other stores, so it was possible they had already sold out. When I went, sure enough, they were sold out.

Just in case, I spoke to a staff member who went to check the store floor for me, but it was indeed sold out.

A female staff member named A, whose name tag said 'Assistant Store Manager,' was incredibly kind. She checked the inventory of other stores right there on the spot and even called them, saying, 'If you are heading there now, I will confirm the stock for sure!'

The staff member on the other end of the phone also went out of their way to check the store floor, but that store was also already sold out.

In the end, I placed a reservation for an 'order,' which meant I would have to go back to A's store to pick it up, but I was so, so moved by Shimamura's service.

First, the price of the collaboration hoodie was an incredibly cheap 2,200 yen.

I know Shimamura is famous for being cheap, but since it was a collaboration item, I assumed it would cost at least 4,000 yen. I was surprised and moved, thinking, 'Wait? Is it really okay for it to be this cheap?!'

And then there was the staff member's thoughtfulness, the way she cared about us so we wouldn't have to make any more wasted trips.

It wasn't a case of 'cheap and low quality.' Despite the low price of the product, I received kind and attentive service, and I was filled with gratitude for such a wonderful company.

I have long had a habit of checking, 'Is this company publicly traded?' whenever I encounter such good service or good products.

I knew Shimamura was listed, so I immediately went to check their website.

The management mission of the Shimamura Group is as follows:

That is what was written.

Building a 'good company.' Wonderful!!

I am surely not the only one who thinks it would be truly wonderful if this could be realized.

However, I also feel that while it is easy to say such things, actually achieving them is quite difficult.

I was very satisfied as a customer, having received 'the best, kind, and polite customer service' even at a low price.

But if, in order to maintain the 'low prices' that are Shimamura's strength and a source of customer satisfaction, employees are being pushed too hard, or if 'business partners' like suppliers and vendors are suffering behind the scenes, then they cannot be said to be fulfilling this mission.

If people think, 'What they are saying and what they are doing are completely different!', the company will lose trust. Even if the situation is not perfect, the fact that they have posted this mission in a place accessible to everyone (on their website) means there is no doubt that Shimamura is aiming to be a truly 'good company' with considerable resolve.

Although I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, seeing A-san's customer service this time made me feel like I 'want to believe that.'

It is important for us, as general consumers, to take an interest in such corporate philosophies and missions.

From there, if we empathize with the philosophy and develop positive feelings toward the company, such as wanting to 'support them,' and if this becomes the norm, companies will also make even greater efforts to fulfill the philosophies and missions they have set forth in order to gain customer trust.

Also, I felt that instead of pushing the responsibility solely onto companies, we, as the 'customers' involved, also need to be firmly conscious of paying appropriate prices for services rather than just seeking 'low prices' in order to realize this ideal.

I am currently allocating more funds to 'undervalued growth stock investing,' which emphasizes capital gains, something I learned about at an online investment school last year.

But before that, for over ten years, I preferred to choose companies that provided products or services I liked as investment targets, focusing more on shareholder perks and dividends than on capital gains.

My investment method is similar to that of Mr. Kiritani, who is famous for his shareholder benefit lifestyle.

While I haven't made a huge fortune through investing, this approach suits me very well, and I believe it is thanks to this stock investment that our family was able to pay off our mortgage in our 40s and reach 10 million yen in savings.

Among the growth stocks I started investing in last year, the only one where I can personally be a "customer" and interact directly is Gift Holdings Inc., which operates the Iekei ramen chain "Machida Shoten."

A little while ago, my husband and I went there to eat.

At "Machida Shoten," the staff always come to the entrance to see you off when you leave, but that day it was lunchtime, the place was full, and there was a line outside.

Trying to free up our seats quickly, we just called out a light "Thank you for the meal" and hurried outside (we had paid in advance).

At that moment, the three staff members were busy: the manager was serving customers, one was boiling noodles, and the part-time hall staff member was busy carrying ramen.

While we were walking to our car in the parking lot, we heard a loud "Thank you very much!" from behind us, and I was truly surprised to see that the part-time staff member had chased us out the door despite being so busy.

My husband was also delighted, saying, "I was so moved!" and I called out, "Keep up the good work!" We left the restaurant feeling happy, agreeing that "you really want to keep supporting a company like this."

It was a moment where I truly realized the joy of investing, confirming that this is the real thrill of being an individual investor.

The corporate philosophy of Gift Holdings is, "Happiness, from yourself."

In President Tagawa's representative message, it is written as follows:

Although it was recently reorganized into a holding company, the former company name was Gift Inc.

This sentiment is clearly reflected in both the company name and the part-time staff working at the stores.

Companies continue to take on challenges while constantly bearing risks in order to deliver more "happy experiences," like the one I had this time, to more customers.

While bank loans come with an obligation to repay, money received from shareholders does not have such an obligation.

With such supportive funds that can be used with peace of mind, companies can embark on more challenges for the sake of society and their own growth.

Even if you fail, you don't have to pay back the money you were given, so just give it a try!

With that sentiment, shareholders share the risks alongside the company.

In return, when they provide value to many people and their challenge succeeds, they receive benefits such as stock price appreciation and dividends.

The image of investors in Japan is not very good, but they are neither "sly people who make money easily" nor "gamblers."

You don't have to empathize with investing, but I would be happy if you could at least "understand" it♡

(Mr. Yamane, I borrowed your words!)

#ThingsIWantYouToUnderstand

I believe that this circle of "everyone wins" that Shimamura has drawn cannot be realized unless each person involved not only considers their own profit but also understands and cares for the other party.

I subscribe to organic vegetables and eggs from a producer, and every time I read the newsletter that comes with them, I realize the importance of knowing the hardships and thoughts of the "creator."

I wrote down what I felt through the episodes so far, thinking that if stock investment becomes more generalized and the number of "fan shareholders" who are interested in and support company initiatives—not just loving their products and services—increases, the world might become a better place.

Even if you don't become a shareholder, just having an interest in each company's initiatives from an investor's perspective and supporting companies you can empathize with is very meaningful, as that sentiment will be conveyed in some form.

Recently, I've been feeling a bit sad because I only see words like "Japan is finished," "Japanese yen will become worthless," and "Invest in US stocks."

I am not well-versed in politics and economics, so these harsh words might actually be correct.

And I myself am also diversifying my investments into global stocks, not just Japan.

I am by no means denying those who buy foreign stocks, but as long as Japanese people live in Japan, I believe there will always be entrepreneurs who wish for "happiness for the people living in Japan," so I would like to listen to those voices and continue to support Japanese companies.

This might be wrong, or it might be just idealistic, but I don't want to give up on Japan, and I want to cherish that feeling of mine.

Note: Today's article is not intended to recommend investment.

Thank you for reading until the end.

Today's illustration was drawn by Kurogoma-san, a wonderful noter who, like me, loves investing and is always taking on new challenges.

It is a collaboration illustration featuring Kurogoma-san's eldest son, 'Connie-chan,' and Kaerumiiko.

I don't like using the phrase 'at your own risk' toward others, but investing is the exception.

I believe that only those who can fully embrace 'at your own risk' can truly enjoy investing.

I hope to make many investment friends with whom I can exchange these kinds of investment stickers💕

If you love investing or are interested in it, please become my friend!

Kurogoma-san, thank you so much for the adorable illustration♪