[President Interview] Studying astronomy, working in the hotel industry, and joining the family civil engineering business. His journey so far and the values he holds dear.

This time, we spoke with President Araki of Ohkita Civil Engineering Co., Ltd.
After starting his professional life as a hotelier in Tokyo, he returned to Furano to take over the family business. We asked him about his journey and the thoughts he had when taking over the company.
Please take a read!

After studying astronomy, he started his career as a hotelier in Tokyo

――This is a very unique background. First, could you tell us about your journey so far?

To start with my background, I was born in Furano. Since my father ran Ohkita Civil Engineering, the core company of the Ohkita Group, the company's presence was familiar to me from childhood.

That said, at the time, I only had a few memories of being taken to company events. I left Furano in the fourth grade of elementary school and moved to Sapporo.

When I was thinking about my path after graduating from high school, I had always loved planetariums, so I decided to study astronomy and went on to Kagoshima University. Many people admire space-related jobs. While watching those who aimed to become researchers among them, I began to feel that "you need considerable ability to make it in this world..."

When I reconsidered my future, I remembered the warm hospitality I received at a hotel in Furano when I was a child. I thought, "A job that makes people happy is great," and became interested in the hotel industry.

After that, I joined Fujita Kanko Inc., which operates hotels and resorts all over the country, and started my professional life in Tokyo.

The reason for returning to Furano and taking over the family business

――When did you start thinking about taking over the family business?

In the hotel industry, I experienced a wide range of work, from the front lines to facility management and headquarters departments, because I was a science graduate. During that time, I had the opportunity to be involved in hotel renovation work and exterior construction, which was my first encounter with civil engineering work.

Even though I was in the hotel industry, I was involved in the same civil engineering work as my family business. I felt a mysterious connection and thought it was fate.

Also, I have lived in various regions and have come into contact with the industries, cultures, and tourism attractions of each land. As I accumulated those experiences, I began to feel the goodness of Furano and the importance of companies that support the region once again.

On the other hand, while my father ran a construction company, he was also actively involved in town development and regional revitalization. While watching him, I realized that the construction industry is not just about building roads and bridges, but a job that supports the region itself.

As various experiences and thoughts overlapped, the feeling of "I want to use my strength for my hometown this time" became stronger, and I joined Ohkita Civil Engineering at the age of 29.

Rather than returning because it was the family business, I wanted to use what I had learned and experienced outside in Furano. That feeling was stronger.

His first year, when he was assigned to the construction department and went out to the field

―― What kind of experience did you gain after joining the company?

For the first year after joining, I was in the Construction Department and gained experience in on-site operations. After that, I was in charge of accounting at the head office, where I learned the basics of the company's cash flow and management. From around my third year, I began visiting clients and handling outside sales, gradually understanding the work of the company as a whole.

The experience of working on-site remains a great asset to me even now. Beyond just learning the workflow and how the company functions, I learned the importance of communication with people.

Since I joined as the 'president's son,' I think people around me were initially watching to see what kind of person I was. In fact, I made many mistakes on-site and was scolded often.

However, I made it a point to honestly ask about things I didn't understand and to apologize properly when I made a mistake.

There was a time when people around me helped cover for my mistake. When I apologized afterward, someone told me, 'Even the president's son can apologize; I can trust you.' That comment remains the most memorable to me even today.

What 'Kokorokubari' (Consideration) means to President Araki

―― What are your thoughts on the corporate philosophy of 'Kokorokubari' (consideration) that you have inherited since becoming president?

Some companies revise or recreate their corporate philosophy when the management changes. But I actually quite like this philosophy of 'Kokorokubari.' I want to continue to cherish and pass it on.

'Kokorokubari' means putting yourself in someone else's shoes and acting while imagining how the other person feels. This is not just for work, but it is very important as a human being. I believe it is an essential value in daily life and human relationships as well.

Our work can only exist because of the people in the community. And that includes our employees and their families. That is why I believe it is the role of a company to cherish everyone involved with the company and the community.

Also, the form of happiness people seek differs depending on their age and life stage. The younger generation, the child-rearing generation, and veteran employees all have different thoughts. Therefore, I want to listen to each individual's voice and create an environment where everyone feels it is easy to work.

―― Is there an episode that feels 'Ohkita-like' and symbolizes that philosophy?

What I personally feel is 'very Ohkita' is the Christmas presents for employees' children.

It is a story from quite a long time ago, but I heard that employees dressed as Santa Claus would visit each home to deliver presents. Now that there are no toy stores in Furano, it has changed to gift certificates, but the idea of 'wanting to make the children happy' and 'wanting to create memories' is still carried on today.

Actually, I am one of those who received those presents as a child. At the time, I thought it was normal, but looking back, I feel it was an initiative that continued precisely because the company cared not only for its employees but also for their families.

That is why I want the company to be not just a place to work, but also an entity that creates happiness and memories for people. I want to continue to cherish that way of thinking.

Becoming a company that is referred to with a 'san' suffix

―― Finally, please tell us about the future vision of the Ohkita Group.

To continue being a presence that is trusted and needed by the community by performing our work with sincerity and integrity. That is the vision we strive for.

For some time, we have valued the idea at our company of 'becoming a company that people refer to with a respectful suffix'.

For example, a company that people can call 'Ohkita-san' with affection. I am very happy that there are actually people who call us that.

While supporting infrastructure as a construction company is a given, we also want to give back to Furano as much as we can as a company that has been supported by the local community.

Side note

When I asked the president about books that have influenced him, he brought up Inazo Nitobe's 'Bushido'. What was particularly impressive was his story about the uniquely Japanese gift-giving culture of saying 'It is a humble gift'. He feels that the Japanese sense of values is reflected in the respect and consideration for others, such as the thought that 'even if it is the best item for me, it might not be for the recipient'. It was an episode typical of a president who values 'heartfelt consideration'.

Please look forward to our next note!

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