Inaba Foods: 89-Year-Old Sales Employee Actively Working Due to No Age Limit System!

Inaba Foods Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yui, Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture; Chairman: Yuko Inaba) effectively abolished its mandatory retirement system in 2022 as part of its efforts to create an environment where employees can continue working regardless of age. Under this system, Yoichi Minaki, currently 89 years old, who is active as 'Japan's oldest food sales employee,' will celebrate his 25th anniversary with the company on May 7, 2026.

■ The Desire to Abolish Age Barriers

At our company, we value an environment where motivated and capable employees can continue to work actively regardless of age or life stage. To embody this desire, we effectively abolished the mandatory retirement system on April 1, 2022. The knowledge and network of experienced seniors are invaluable assets to a company. Currently, employees who wish to continue working do so regardless of age, and not only Minaki but also many other senior talents with long years of experience, such as a distribution center manager celebrating 40 years with the company and a veteran sales employee with 40 years of pet food sales experience, are active on the front lines.

■ The Reason Why the 89-Year-Old Former Managing Director Continues to Work on Site

Yoichi Minaki, an active sales employee, continues to demonstrate the company's stance of allowing work without an upper age limit. Even after serving as the Managing Director and General Manager of the Sales Division, he continues to work full-time, five days a week, at the age of 89 and in his 25th year with the company.

Minaki, who says, 'I love sales. I love meeting people,' wakes up at 3 AM every morning and arrives at the office by 6:30 AM. His passion to deliver the products he believes in to as many people as possible and his sincere belief that 'if I decide to do something, I will definitely do it' are his daily driving forces.

■ 'Sales Textbook' Spoken Through Actions

Minaki's thorough on-site approach provides great inspiration to all generations within the company.

 Comment from Yoshihiro Takai, Director and General Manager of Food Business Division 

'His excellence is unparalleled not only within the company but also in the industry. He is a great senior who has sincere beliefs and a never-give-up attitude until results are achieved.'

 Comment from Masahiro Konagaya, Executive Officer and General Manager of Tokyo Pet Food Division 

'He starts early in the morning, and when I accompany him, I can greet important executives of clients at leisure. He is truly like a sales textbook.'

'Humans cannot live alone. My network has nurtured me this far,' Minaki always expresses gratitude to those around him. 'I have achieved everything I wanted to do when I was young, here at Inaba. I am truly the happiest person in the world,' he says with an innocent smile, teaching us the true joy and richness of working.

Inaba Foods will continue to aim to be a warm company where every employee can find fulfillment and work actively throughout their lives.

■ Yoichi Minaki Profile

Date of Birth: February 2, 1937 (currently 89 years old)

Date of Joining: May 7, 2001

Biography: Joined Inaba Foods after working for a food wholesale company. Served as former Managing Director and General Manager of the Sales Division, and is currently active as a top sales representative.

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