Japan's Shizuoka Pref. names food maker Yataro as 1st intercultural-support business
SHIZUOKA -- Japanese food manufacturer Yataro has become the first business certified by the Shizuoka Prefectural Government under a system recognizin
Shizuoka Prefecture has designated food company Yataro as Japan's first intercultural-support business, recognizing its efforts to promote regional growth through multicultural coexistence. The Shizuoka Prefectural Government presented Yataro with its inaugural "prefectural intercultural supporting business establishment" certificate on August 27.
Yataro, headquartered in Hamamatsu's Chuo Ward, is renowned for its Jiichiro Baumkuchen brand of cakes. Among the company's 2,370 employees, 120 are from 12 countries overseas, predominantly from Indonesia, the Philippines, and Nepal.
Firdaus Priyo Hartomo, a 41-year-old Indonesian national, stands out as an example of the company's diverse workforce. Hartomo graduated from Shizuoka University's graduate school and joined Yataro as a new graduate in 2012. He has played a pivotal role in developing sweets catering to foreign customers and establishing stores in Indonesia. His work is credited with fostering Yataro's decision to increase its hiring of foreign personnel.
The company also boasts a multicultural employee base, including individuals who have successfully passed the rigorous Specified Skilled Worker (ii) status examination. Yataro offers occupational safety and hygiene education to employees in multiple languages, primarily English, and provides free access to a Japanese language learning application. Additionally, the company organizes social events to help employees integrate into Japanese society.
Yataro President Masayuki Ota expressed his satisfaction that the company's ongoing efforts have been acknowledged. Shizuoka Governor Yasutomo Suzuki, who bestowed the certificate, emphasized that multicultural coexistence injects vitality into cities and encouraged Yataro to further expand its efforts. Ota responded that the company aims to continue creating opportunities for employees to showcase their abilities.
As of August 27, eight companies, including Yataro, had received the prefectural government's certification for multicultural support.
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