Gourmet Kineya Holds Entrance Ceremony for 'GK Japanese Language School' Spring 2026 Class, Supporting Foreign Talent Development

Gourmet Kineya Co., Ltd. held an entrance ceremony on Friday, May 15, for the Japanese language school it operates. This year, the school welcomed 19 new students from three countries: Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. At the ceremony, in addition to speeches by the new student representative and welcoming words from current students, a congratulatory address was given by Mitsushi Mukumoto, Representative Executive Officer and President of Gourmet Kineya.

[19 New Students from Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh Join the Community]

A total of 19 students enrolled this term. The students come from diverse countries and regions, specifically Nepal, Myanmar, and Bangladesh. They decided to enroll in the school out of a strong interest in Japanese culture, technology, and the prospect of working in Japan. They will deeply study traditional Japanese culture and the values rooted in Japanese society, such as 'gratitude' and 'respect.' Through this, the company aims to develop human resources who possess both the practical skills and character to thrive in Japanese society, while also contributing to the realization of diversity where people from diverse backgrounds can understand and respect each other.

■ Educational and Talent Development Model with Higher Education in Mind

The company established the Japanese language school in 2022 and has been working on human resource development starting from education.

In addition to Japanese language instruction, the school provides opportunities to experience Japanese culture, building a talent development model that 'looks ahead from education to further schooling.' As is well known, Gourmet Kineya Holdings consists of various group companies. Through company tours and interactions with employees, the school hopes students will broaden their perspectives and utilize these experiences for their future planning. Furthermore, the school places great emphasis on providing opportunities to experience seasonal Japanese culture, such as the first shrine visit of the year (Hatsumode) and festivals, in addition to social interactions.

■ About the Japanese Language School

History
- May 2022: Certified as a notified school
- October 2022: Enrollment of the first batch of students
- October 2024: Selected as an appropriate school (Group II)

Educational Goals
- Acquire correct Japanese and aim to master the Japanese proficiency necessary for higher education.
- Cultivate the judgment to accurately convey one's thoughts in Japanese, correctly understand what the other person is saying, and act accordingly.
- Foster an attitude of actively tackling everything with a broad perspective.
- Understand each other's cultural differences, build equal relationships, and enhance humanity together.

■ About Gourmet Kineya Co., Ltd.

Established in 1967, the company opened its first 'Kineya' hand-made udon demonstration store in 1971, during the dawn of chain restaurants. Since then, it has developed restaurant businesses in various formats, focusing on udon and soba. In addition, through repeated M&A, the company has challenged itself in areas such as: 1) businesses that provide the appeal of Japanese food domestically and internationally at appropriate prices, 2) businesses essential to daily life demanded by local communities, and 3) businesses with high barriers to entry. In recent years, it has expanded its business scope to include in-flight meals, commercial food manufacturing, and Japanese language schools.