becoming a presence delivering the treasures of the Ariake Sea nationwide.
by fishermen, becoming
a presence delivering the treasures
of the Ariake Sea nationwide.
The Beginning of 'Yamahira'
The history of Yamahira Co., Ltd. begins in 1890, when Kiyo Hirano opened a fresh fish shop, 'Hirano Shoten,' in Okinohata, Yanagawa, during the Meiji era (Year 23 of Meiji, or 1890). At the time, it was difficult for women to enter society. However, Kiyo, who had a love for alcohol and was skilled in interacting with people, would serve a drink, which she called 'tea,' to the fishermen at dawn, wishing them safety and a bountiful catch. Over time, the shop came to be known as 'Yoakejaya' (Dawn Teahouse).
On the Other Hand, Okinohata has long been known as a ‘Treasure Sea,’ one of the main fishing ports of the Ariake Sea, and our company expanded its business from a fresh fish shop to a fishing supplier. There is also a nearby fish market, where we used our sharp eye for selecting seafood to bid on fish and distribute them both within and outside the city. We directly shipped Ariake Sea’s Tairagi (a type of clam) to the Tsukiji market in Tokyo, and at one point, our handling volume ranked among the top five in the country. The auction process was a race against time, so each company often had a nickname to be easily called by. Our company adopted the name ‘Yamahira,’ combining ‘Hira’ from ‘Hirano Shoten’ and ‘Yama’ from our desire to grow and reach the peak of success through our business. This name became the foundation of our company’s name.
The 4th-generation representative, Hidenori Kaneko, and the 3rd-generation representative, Hitoshi Kaneko, a married couple
Passing the Baton of Yamahira into the Future
Yamahira Co., Ltd. will continue to pass on the skills, commitment to quality, and the trust we have built with our customers in the seafood processing industry into the future.
This baton, passed down from the first generation to the present day, carries with it a deep passion for the Ariake Sea and Yanagawa. In order to pass the baton to the next generation, we will continue to do everything we can to contribute.
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1. Inheritance of Artisan Skills and Quality Standards
The artisan techniques and high-quality standards that Yamahira has built over the years are invaluable assets cultivated through the seafood production process. By passing these techniques down to future generations and continuing to improve them, we ensure that the trust and safety in Yamahira products will continue. We are committed to training young staff and creating an environment where the next generation can inherit these skills.
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2. Commitment to the Environment and Sustainability
For the future of the seafood industry, coexisting with the environment is an essential challenge. Yamahira actively adopts new technologies and practices aimed at reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable fisheries and resource conservation. By passing on these forward-thinking efforts to the next generation, we contribute to the development of a sustainable seafood processing industry.
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3. Contribution to the Local Community
Yamahira values its relationships with the fisheries and producers in the Ariake Sea and continues to engage in community-rooted activities. We maximize the use of local fishing resources and play an important role in supporting the local economy. By passing this region-centered business approach to the next generation, we will continue to contribute to the development of the entire region.
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4. Innovation and Challenges for the Future
Yamahira always strives to anticipate consumer needs and aims to grow through new product development and research. This spirit of challenge and innovation is part of Yamahira’s DNA. We will continue to develop products and technologies that can meet future market needs, paving the way for the next generation to take on even greater challenges with the baton of Yamahira.