What does Ichiyokai do?

Ichiyokai is a social welfare corporation that helps those with disabilities to work by providing them with opportunities to produce and sell tofu bean curd, prepared food and confectionery items. Starting with two staff members and four users of our services in 1990, we were recognized as a social welfare corporation in 1995. Today, Ichiyokai has 40 staff members and the number of users has topped 70.

In July 2016, the Akita Biomass Power Plant at Mukaihama commenced operation. It was determined that cookies produced at Yume-Kiwame Juku Ashitaba would be offered as a gift to plant tour participants.

We have asked supermarkets in the city and direct sales sections of agricultural cooperatives to handle the confectionery items produced at Yume-Kiwame Juku Ashitaba. In addition, we individually visit and sell these items. In this situation, we received an order from United Renewable Energy for regular purchases. Before beginning the production of confectionery items, Ichiyokai worked like a subcontractor for a manufacturer. Depending on the requests from the customer, its work details and due dates were not consistent and it was at times necessary to flexibly change the work. That kind of work was not ideal for our service users. For the production of confectionery items, we can divide a certain task into small processes and ask users to take part in them. Regular purchases enable a repetition of processes. This means that our users can go about their duties without worries. We are very grateful for financial support we have received from businesses, and we are also thankful when they offer consistent and continuous working opportunities like this.

* Affiliates and titles etc. of the interviewees are current as of the time of the interview or publication.