Focused on developing countries KUNISAKIJYUHAN CO., LTD., located in Kitsuki City, has developed various businesses, ranging from the sales, lease, and repair of construction machinery, to transport services. The company has 36 employees and a warm, at-home atmosphere. The employees welcomed our reporters with cheerful smiles. President Zaizen said, “We have exported used construction machinery (bulldozers, shovels and so on) for about 2 years. For a higher profit margin, we switched from sales that we had consigned to trading companies, to direct sales. We sold almost 500 construction machines last year owing to high demand in Hong Kong and saw sales expand about 4 times from the previous year.”

KUNISAKIJYUHAN CO., LTD. Executive President Takashi Zaizen (elder brother)   KUNISAKIJYUHAN CO., LTD. Managing Director Isao Zaizen (younger brother)         They founded the company 25 years ago and launched the business in global markets about 2 years ago. Their busy schedules remain unchanged as they travel the world in search of overseas markets to challenge.

Staff Ms. Li Wei (China)     A graduate of Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU), Ms. Li joined the company in April 2004. She loves Oita, surrounded by bountiful nature, and wants to drive through the prefecture. Reliable staff with practical experience Ms. Li has just graduated from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University this spring and now works here. She believes that life overseas has been a valuable experience. Ms. Li worked part-time in this company as a student, and high evaluation for her performance has led her to become a regular employee. Ms. Li, who has a good command of Chinese, English and Japanese, works mostly as an interpreter. She accompanies the president or the managing director when they negotiate contracts abroad. She also carries out market research on the web and answers inquiries by telephone or E-mail. She said, “I had gained much experience while working part-time. I decided to enter this company so that I may contribute more to the company. Since I’ve only been here for a few months, there are many things that I still do not understand. I will put in my best efforts and hope to settle down in the job soon.” Managing Director Zaizen told us, “She is a capable person whom all the staff has great faith in and is a great contribution to us. She also possesses good business sense on top of her linguistic skills. She has accompanied us on a few overseas trips.” Future expectations “Through our web site, we have received orders from Southeast Asian companies with much demand for used construction machinery. We intend to expand our businesses to Australia and Europe. We have great expectations for Ms. Li in the future.” President Zaizen said. We could feel that he has high hopes for Ms. Li. Ms. Li is studying bookkeeping now. She said, “I have become more accustomed to the job, but even now, I’m often confused by the different points of view and culture in the countries we deal with. I will continue to build up my experience and strive to do better.” We were impressed by her strong motivation for the job.