Welfare Initiative: E-Fran Hosts 72nd Annual Summer Rafting & Premium Wagyu BBQ Bus Tour, Sponsored by the Chairman!

E-Fran Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama, Kanagawa; President and CEO: Daisuke Katomura; hereinafter referred to as 'the Company') has hosted the 'Summer Rafting & Premium Wagyu BBQ Bus Tour,' sponsored by Chairman Kikuo Watanabe, with the aim of strengthening employee camaraderie. This press release shares highlights from the outdoor activities and authentic voices from participating employees. We invite you to experience the charm of our unique welfare programs and corporate culture.

[Image: Group photo from the 72nd 'Chairman's Tour' bus trip]

A Signature Event Led by the Chairman: The Appeal of Our In-House Bus Tours

The Company plans and conducts various internal events throughout the year to enhance internal communication and boost employee motivation. Among these, the bus tour—personally planned and attended by Chairman Kikuo Watanabe—enjoys particularly high popularity.

This year’s tour took place in the Okutama area, a region rich in natural beauty despite being within Tokyo. The main activity was the refreshing 'rafting,' offering a special program where employees could enjoy nature away from daily work. These internal events are highly praised within E-Fran and are among the most anticipated by employees.

Experiencing the Thrill of Nature: An Exciting Rafting Adventure in Okutama!

Upon arrival in Okutama, participants suited up in wetsuits, helmets, and life jackets provided by 'Rafting Winds,' and received thorough safety instructions from certified instructors. Despite many being first-timers—some even declaring, 'I will definitely come back alive!'—everyone listened seriously and prepared for their rubber boat descent.

Initially, the group enjoyed paddling through calm waters and scenic views, but as the course progressed, thrilling rapids with powerful splashes appeared one after another. Employees fully immersed themselves in nature and had a blast.

Splashes and Cheers: Strengthening Teamwork Through Rafting!

Overcoming strong waves in rafting requires perfect coordination among all team members in the same boat. By encouraging each other and synchronizing paddle strokes, the teams successfully navigated challenging sections.

Staff from stores and headquarters—usually working in different roles—had many opportunities to collaborate, naturally fostering strong teamwork. Employees laughing together after being drenched in cold river water seemed to forget their daily fatigue, achieving genuine relaxation.

Testing Courage at the Jumping Spot: Chairman Watanabe Takes the Plunge!

During the rafting trip, there was also time to disembark at calm spots, swim, or jump into the river from large rocks. Not only young employees but also Chairman Watanabe joined in the jumps, greatly boosting the excitement.

Many employees shared that they can now talk casually with their superiors. The flat relationships built through such events contribute to better communication in daily operations.

Lunch is Wagyu BBQ! Career-Hire Employees Share: 'A Company My Family Loves'

After an energetic rafting session, a luxurious lunch event was held at 'Yakiniku Heijo-en Hachioji,' where participants enjoyed premium black-haired wagyu beef. Surrounded by delicious meat, employees passionately shared tour memories and future work goals—an extremely meaningful time.

During lunch, interviews were conducted with career-hire employees. One shared, 'After joining E-Fran through career hiring, I truly believe it’s the best company among many I’ve considered.' Another said, 'The person happiest about my transfer to E-Fran is my wife.' The Company offers robust welfare programs and a high-income compensation system, aiming to provide peace of mind and joy not only to employees but also to their families. We will continue striving to become Japan’s top workplace in employee satisfaction and further enhance our systems.

'The job posting was so appealing, I doubted if it was real' — Honest Voices from Career-Hire Employees

One career-hire employee candidly admitted, 'The job description was so good, I was initially skeptical.' However, after joining, they said with a smile, 'It matched exactly what was promised. I get to meet wonderful items and customers, and earn a high income that allows me to buy what I want—truly fulfilling!'

The buyback sales role at Otakaraya operates on a fully inbound sales model, eliminating cold calling and allowing full focus on each customer. Even those without sales experience can steadily advance with our strong support system.

Why Was a New Graduate Promoted to Team Leader in Just Two Years?

Also at the lunch table was a female employee who joined as a new graduate in 2025 and was promoted to team leader in her second year, overseeing dispatch staff in the Kyushu region. When asked about her rapid career growth, her supervisor said, 'She worked hard within our training program, approached her work with a strong sense of mission, and delivered results. That’s why she could take on such a responsible role at a young age.'

The Company fosters a merit-based culture, fairly evaluating motivation and performance regardless of age or tenure. Young employees who wish to grow quickly with significant responsibility will find the same opportunities as this employee.

Chairman Watanabe on His 'Mission' and E-Fran’s Future Vision

Chairman Watanabe shared his mission: 'To grow E-Fran into a company with great potential, achieving high profitability to maximize employee happiness and satisfaction, while advancing social contribution.' This rafting bus tour was a wonderful opportunity to share that mission and deepen bonds among employees. E-Fran will continue to focus on creating a workplace where employees can work comfortably and feel genuine personal growth. As the Company expands further, we are actively seeking new team members. For details on career and new graduate hiring, please visit our official website below. We sincerely look forward to your applications.

Career Hiring & New Graduate Recruitment Sites:

• E-Fran Career Hiring Site: https://e-fran.jp/mid_career/

• E-Fran New Graduate Hiring Site: https://e-fran-recruit.jp