A career of more than 40 years in the Sabae eyeglass industry. A career that included many obstacles overcome, at times hitting dead-ends, at times running full speed, with days and days spent traveling from remote towns to Tokyo as a solitary wholesaler. From the many encounters and experiences along the way, an original brand was born. The ideal store and the long-sought factory were built. But the view from the place he'd arrived was totally different from what Kaneko had imagined.
The struggle to perpetuate Japan's artisanal manufacturing and craftsmen techniques is not limited to eyeglasses. Making products in Japan used to feel as natural as the air, but somewhere along the way times changed and that world has fallen into crisis. In recent years attention has turned to the technical skills of Sabae's craftsmen, and the value of their high quality production has been newly appreciated, but at the same time we live in an age where imports of foreign goods are spurred by a relentless pursuit of low cost, and there is no end in sight to the growth of discount optician shops.
During this time the speed of Sabae's decline has only accelerated. Sabae's supply chain, where so many technologies developed through the specialization of companies to support the 200 different eyeglass manufacturing steps, is now vulnerable to collapse, like a precision machine missing a vital component. In some processes the problem has already become pronounced, and is starting to cast a dark shadow on the whole Sabae manufacturing region.
The Kaneko factory cannot outpace this problem alone, which begs the question: what does it really mean to perpetuate the artisanal manufacturing tradition?
What problems must be solved to ensure the future of craftsmanship in the region?
How do we keep the dimming light from dying? Extending the history of this region to the next generation is KANEKO OPTICAL's social mission. The simple idea of perpetuating the artisanal manufacturing legacy is what spurred Mr. Kaneko to start manufacturing. He believes what is most important now is how to pass this light to the next generation, and the conclusion he reached after years of struggle is to live in harmony with the region and help build its new foundations. The company will continue to invest its energy in everything from traditional techniques to digital technologies, seeking to bring all manufacturing processes in house and continuing our whole-hearted commitment to meeting these challenges.
"We want everyone in the world to know how much we pour into each pair of glasses, and we want you to try them on!"
That was my simple dream as a solitary salesmen traveling to regional stores without any support, unable to get out of last place. But as we began to achieve our own artisanal manufacturing, the dream grew.
Today, I don't want to be the "top selling company," I want to be the company that seriously takes on the artisanal manufacturing challenge, and seriously communicates it to the world.
That is how I and the KANEKO OPTICAL staff who have walked this road with me can achieve our dream. And when we think of the anguish of our predecessors who have been forced to close their businesses, the only path to support and develop the legacy of manufacturing is to sell as many glasses as we can, and to assure that our customers love those glasses. Expanding sales and manufacturing development are two inseparable sides of the same coin. Each must progress to support the growth of the other.
With this feeling in our hearts, we will keep up the hard work.
The place where I thought, "I've arrived," wasn't the goal at all. KANEKO OPTICAL still has miles and miles to go.
"Seeking an impossible dream."
(May 2021, Shinya Kaneko, President, KANEKO OPTICAL, Ltd.)
[Our philosophy]
Through eyewear, we continue to provide people all over the world with dreams, inspiration, and joy.
Through eyewear, we seek to contribute to the cultural life of people around the world.
Through eyewear, we will share our prosperity with everyone who plays a part, growing together and contributing to society.
The struggle to perpetuate Japan's artisanal manufacturing and craftsmen techniques is not limited to eyeglasses. Making products in Japan used to feel as natural as the air, but somewhere along the way times changed and that world has fallen into crisis. In recent years attention has turned to the technical skills of Sabae's craftsmen, and the value of their high quality production has been newly appreciated, but at the same time we live in an age where imports of foreign goods are spurred by a relentless pursuit of low cost, and there is no end in sight to the growth of discount optician shops.
During this time the speed of Sabae's decline has only accelerated. Sabae's supply chain, where so many technologies developed through the specialization of companies to support the 200 different eyeglass manufacturing steps, is now vulnerable to collapse, like a precision machine missing a vital component. In some processes the problem has already become pronounced, and is starting to cast a dark shadow on the whole Sabae manufacturing region.
The Kaneko factory cannot outpace this problem alone, which begs the question: what does it really mean to perpetuate the artisanal manufacturing tradition?
What problems must be solved to ensure the future of craftsmanship in the region?
How do we keep the dimming light from dying? Extending the history of this region to the next generation is KANEKO OPTICAL's social mission. The simple idea of perpetuating the artisanal manufacturing legacy is what spurred Mr. Kaneko to start manufacturing. He believes what is most important now is how to pass this light to the next generation, and the conclusion he reached after years of struggle is to live in harmony with the region and help build its new foundations. The company will continue to invest its energy in everything from traditional techniques to digital technologies, seeking to bring all manufacturing processes in house and continuing our whole-hearted commitment to meeting these challenges.