RISSHODO

Q.What made you decide to join the company?

In my previous job, I worked for a security company as a facility security guard. Although I thought it was a worthwhile job, I couldn’t let go of my desire to work in a job related to my favorite food.

I was looking for a job that would allow me to use my five senses more and produce tangible results, and then Risshodo’s job advertisement caught my eye. Making the rice crackers I had eaten since childhood with my own hands was exactly the type of work I was looking for.

The words “No experience necessary” encouraged me, and I successfully joined Risshodo. I am grateful to my family for pushing me forward, even though they asked me, “Can you really do this?”

Q.What are your current job responsibilities?

My job is to cut out the mochi dough into shapes of the rice crackers that everyone has in mind.

Although the shapes are cut out by machine, high-quality senbei cannot be made without the concentrated observation of a human being. The moisture content and humidity of mochi change frequently, so adjustments such as adding more water are required each time.

In addition to reusing the mochi left over from the mold cutting process, pouring the release agent into the machine becomes an important task. If the amount of release agent is not properly adjusted, the mochi may stick to the mold and become impossible to remove, so this requires a more delicate technique than it may appear.

Q.Have you ever had any difficulties in your work?

Speaking of difficulty, I feel that it is the pressure to maintain the high quality of our Junmai Senbei. Even now, I feel a sense of responsibility to ensure that the quality of this long-standing brand is not compromised.

Thinking back, it has been 10 years since I took over the mold-cutting duties and became a veteran. To think that it was my fault that caused the changes to the flavor or the shape of the rice crackers makes me think “It’s a heavy burden indeed” at that time.

But in reality, I was able to work with peace of mind thanks to the support from those around me, who went beyond their duties. Now, even the pressure has become my driving force, and I have even been entrusted with the role of managing the entire process.

Q.What do you do on your days off?

On my days off, I love going camping with my family. There are many great campsites in Fukushima, such as Lake Inawashiro and Oku-Aizu, so I never run out of places to go.

Another great thing about Rissho-do is that you can take your days off and relax. After refreshing myself by being in touch with nature, I continue to go back to making Junmai Senbei rice crackers.