Okadaya

"Masayoshi Son has chosen the most advantageous “location” in step with business development. He has indeed progressed like a successful fish. This is quite similar to the management of the founding family “Okadaya” of JUSCO (now Aeon). Okadaya has traditionally adhered to two mottos left by the fifth-generation leader, Soemon. 1. Better goods for less money. 2. Attach wheels to the main pillar. “Attach wheels to the main pillar” means “always be prepared to move to a location with better conditions.” Staying firmly in one place and being complacent won’t develop business. It implies a lesson that stagnation invites decline."

"In 1887 (Meiji 20), the fifth-generation Soemon moved the store from the familiar Kuronaka-cho, Yokkaichi, to the south town of “Tsuji.” It was the second property east from “Tsuji,” the central area, and about 130 years after the first generation, Okada Sozaemon, settled in Yokkaichi from Haruta-go and started itinerant peddling. Expanding into the city center was the longtime dream of the fifth-generation Soemon. Within ten years, the store became too cramped, and it was moved to Ichiban-Yashiki in Kitamachi, “Tsuji.” By the end of the Meiji era, Okadaya had established its position as the number one in Yokkaichi. This pattern of behavior became the fundamental principle for Okadaya’s expansion and prosperity. In 1949 (Showa 24), Okadaya relocated to Suwa Shindo, and in 1969 (Showa 44), it transitioned to a new organization called “JUSCO.” This was also in accordance with the motto of “Attach wheels to the main pillar.” On February 21, 1969, the headquarters mechanism and JUSCO Inc. were established. JUSCO, which aimed at creating a new distribution system through increased scale, adopted the company motto “Serve the regional community through commerce” and began a long journey toward the organization and modernization of retail business. The new company name “Japan United Stores Company” was chosen from a public solicitation. As it celebrated its 20th anniversary, JUSCO changed the group name to “Aeon Group” in 1989 (Heisei 1)."