14 Years of Resilience: Creating a World Where 'Truth of Quality' is Proven with Kobe-born 'Kumihimo Trace'

We support 'April Dream,' which aims to make April 1st a day to share dreams. This press release is the dream of Ryoji Yasui, CEO of ENJI Co., Ltd. [Image: Recording wine transport history] 'I want to create a world where the creator's passion is naturally delivered.' As a wine merchant, I share this dream with the world. Wine, crafted with soul by producers who love their grapes and till the soil. I want to make a world where the passion in every drop is delivered in its best state, not as a 'special value' but as a 'matter of course.' This is not to correct fraud or doubt anyone. It is simply an 'infrastructure of love' to deliver the creator's passion straight to the consumer. I will pour all my passion into creating a world where such sincerity circulates. [Image: Ryoji Yasui selecting wine] Once, I suffered from atopic dermatitis due to stress and almost gave up on my favorite wine. A bottle of wine delivered by my mentor saved me. It was managed for freshness based on scientific evidence and provided in the same state as if I were at the winery. I felt a refreshing emotion. 'Authenticity has the power to make people happy.' I want to deliver that joy to the world and make it a daily value, not a special experience. That is the origin of my passion. [Image: Award ceremony at the 2025 Prosecco Competition] Days learning brand marketing from seniors at a major hair color manufacturer. The 'tenacity' cultivated in the university tennis team, never yielding to adversity. And the achievement of being chosen as No. 1 in Japan at the Prosecco Competition in 2023 and 2025. My journey has not always been glamorous. The accumulation of learning from failures and steady efforts creates unwavering trust. These 14 years of walking with an unbreakable heart are now leading to a new challenge: 'designing trust' through Kumihimo Trace. [Image: Visit from LeContesse owner] I am challenging myself to build an infrastructure of sincerity and love that proves the invisible 'quality history' that does not yet exist in the world. By utilizing the latest technology, I will visualize the 'true journey' of each bottle of wine and create new value. Kumihimo Trace is not just technology. It is a mechanism to visualize the 'story' of the path a bottle of wine has taken—what temperatures it experienced and whose hands it passed through. It is not quality control; it is 'visualization of passion.' Starting with wine, then food, and eventually medicine and cultural assets. I will weave the creator's passion and spread a transparent and heart-rich society from Kobe to the world. [Image: Ryoji Yasui with Iwaya Fishery Cooperative members] In 1995, Kobe was wounded by the earthquake. As a junior high school student, I saw the city in rubble and wanted to become someone who could contribute to its reconstruction. I will become a person who can contribute to the city's development by creating a 'quality assurance hub' that earns global trust, starting with wine. At our base in Iwaya, Awaji Island, opening in April 2026, we will work with local fishermen to turn their pride and passion into the value of 'ultimate freshness' for consumers. From Kobe to the world. I will spend my life connecting the wonderful values of 'trust' and 'creator's passion' to the next generation. [Profile: Ryoji Yasui, CEO of ENJI Co., Ltd.] Born in Kobe on January 7, 1980. Graduated from Konan University. Learned sales at a top hair color manufacturer and mastered 'royal road marketing' in the product planning department. Served as brand manager for brands over 20 billion yen. Independent in 2016. Founded Fukusho Co., Ltd., pioneering the wine business with 24-hour 15°C temperature control. Founded ENJI Co., Ltd. in 2020. Developing traceability systems for wine transport. No. 1 in Japan at the 2025 Prosecco Competition.