Q. Please tell us about your background.
After graduating from the Department of Living Environment Design at university, I joined Izawa Towel as a new graduate.
Q. Why did you choose Izawa Towels?
I was originally interested in manufacturing, and was looking for a job in the textile industry that I studied at university where I could be involved in manufacturing. I was attracted to the fact that the company deals with familiar products and creates products with a focus on the consumer's perspective, so I decided to join the company.
Q. Please tell us about your job duties and challenges.
We are conducting research into cotton and towel weaving methods, joint research with national universities, establishing towel evaluation methods, and developing new towels. We continue to research high-quality towels from the five perspectives required of towels: texture, absorbency, quick-drying, durability, and lint adhesion.
Q. Please tell us what kind of team you work in.
The Technology Development Group has bases in Tokyo and Osaka, and I work with my boss in Tokyo. We also have regular meetings once a week with the Osaka team members to collaborate.
Q. What is the best part and rewarding part of your job?
I feel a sense of accomplishment when I make a new discovery, when I establish something that hasn't been established yet, or when a towel I developed is commercialized.
Towels have been around for a long time and their shape has not changed much, but we believe there is still a lot to be researched about them.
Q. Please tell us about any new skills or experiences you have gained at Izawa Towel.
I now have the skill to distinguish towel specifications, and I now pay more attention to product performance when making everyday purchases.
I also learned that towels are not made based solely on information such as size and weight, but that the specifications can be changed in small details such as the spinning of the yarn and the pile length according to the plan.
Q. Please tell us what kind of growth environment is available.
We have an environment where anyone can take on challenges, so I think it's suitable for people who want to grow and are motivated to achieve their goals.
Q. Please tell us about your ambitions for the future.
It has been four years since I joined the development group, and two years since I started working on joint research with a national university. Every day I learn more about towels, and I hope to continue my research into towels and cotton, leading to the development of towels that will please consumers.