Satoshi Kanesawa of Flower Dress

Profile

Satoshi Kanesawa
Director, FLOWER DRESS

Mr. Kanesawa is originally from Otsuchi. He lived in Otsuchi until middle school, then moved to Morioka for high school. Baseball led him to Ishikawa Prefecture for university. After graduating, he became a clothing company's regional manager in Sapporo and Tohoku.

In 2012, he returned to Otsuchi to take over the family business. He still works at that business, which grows shiitake mushrooms and cut flower varieties such as turquoise bellflowers.

Giving youth a sense of purpose

Mr. Kanesawa is very happy with his job. “The fact that I worked at a clothing company means I look at the flower business in a different way. Even in Otsuchi, I think I can make a business that shines as brightly as the apparel industry. I’ve discovered the appeal of being the director, rather than the employee, of a business,” he said.

He also gave us his thoughts on the reconstruction. “We have to encourage young people to work in their hometowns, by creating appealing work settings where they can fulfill their dreams. Here in Otsuchi, where building work is still going on, that’s going to take some time.”

As good as anywhere else

Mr. Kanesawa spoke a little more about his hometown. “I want the next generation of young people to see us enjoying our work. We need to show them that Otsuchi and its jobs are as appealing as anywhere else. I’d like to see more people and businesses supporting that,” he said.

One of Mr. Kanesawa’s ambitions is to organize a fashion show using flowers he’s grown, in order to surprise the next generation with what’s possible in Otsuchi.