EOY 2020 Japan: Oisix ra daichi, Inc. named the Japan National Overall Award winner

Oisix ra daichi Inc. 

We offer delivery of safe and trustworthy food products including organic vegetables, specially-cultivated vegetables and processed foods using little to no additives under our 3 brands of Oisix, Radish Boya, and Daichi wo Mamoru Kai. We solve social issues related to food through business approaches based on the philosophy of "farm for tomorrow, table for tomorrow.”
 

Comments from Mr. Kazuhiko Toyama, Chairman of the judging panel

“Our criteria for judging this year were centered on identifying business models originating in Japan that also have a universal appeal, and that bring value to solving societal challenges on a global level. We also focused on evaluating the entrepreneurs themselves and looked for their ability to expand their ideas globally and appeal to a wide audience across the world. 
I believe the food culture and food technology of Japan will be universally appealing at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year held in Monaco, and also believe that Mr. Takashima will effectively assert the value that Japanese innovation brings to a bevy of applications. His business model is truly the core of what is required to address the social challenges we face in today’s world. I hope he will strive to become one of the best entrepreneurs in the world.”
 

EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 award recipients

2020 Japan representative

• Mr. Kohey Takashima, Representative Director and CEO of Oisix ra daichi, Inc.

Comments from Mr. Takashima
“Thank you so much. This year our company celebrated 20 years of being in business. It is nice to know that a company can receive an award for entrepreneurship even after 20 years in business; this is a great accomplishment for us, and hopefully it serves as motivation for other business owners and society as a whole. I believe the spirit of entrepreneurship can exist in any company regardless of how long it has been in existence, and I hope to prove those words true and continue to have a positive impact on our society.”

EY Entrepreneur of the Year Special Award

• Mr. Shoji Miyata, CEO of Smart HR, Inc.

Comments from Mr. Miyata
“It was an extreme honor just to be nominated as a finalist, but I would never have guessed I would receive the judging panel’s Special Award. Thank you!”

About the award categories

＜What do we look for in entrepreneurs?＞

•  Business operators who bring innovative value to society
•  Business founders
•  Generational family business operators who create innovation
•  Business operators with a proven track record in innovation
•  Foreign business operators who established companies in Japan
   

Master Entrepreneur of the Year Category

•  Leader of the industry and market
  
•  Serves as a role model for other entrepreneurs
•  Founder of a company listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange or an equivalent exchange
•  Expands business to overseas markets and has global impact
•  Business model consists of competitive advantages, technical capabilities, and marketing initiatives that attract attention domestically and internationally
   

Exceptional Growth Category

•  Business leader who has brought success and is garnering attention from others
•  Serves as a role model for budding entrepreneurs
•  Has a degree of global impact with plans to further grow and expand internationally
•  Develops business practices by leveraging innovative technologies and business models
•  Entrepreneurs who have achieved considerable business growth or are in the process of doing so, and who are expected to continue to succeed in such efforts
   

About EOY standards and processes

Final selections of winners are made after the review of application materials and interviews with candidates conducted by the EOY Japan judging panel. The following are important criteria considered during judging.

1. Entrepreneurial spirit
2. Value creation
3. Strategic direction
4. National and global impact
5. Innovation
6. Personal integrity / purpose-driven leadership
    

Introduction of EOY Japan judging panel

Chairman of the judging panel

•  Kazuhiko Toyama
  IGPI Group Chairman of Industrial Growth Platform, Inc. (IGPI) 

EOY Japan judging panel (in alphabetical order)

•  Shigeo Kagami
  Chairman of Japan Academic Society for Ventures and Entrepreneurs
  Professor of the Graduate School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo
•  Takateru Kawano
  President and CEO of TKP Co., Ltd.
  EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2017 Japan National Overall Award Winner
•  Motokuni Takaoka
  President and CEO of Airweave Inc.
  EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 Japan National Overall Award Winner
•  Yuka Tanimoto
  Managing Editor of Forbes Japan Web Editorial Team
•  Yoshiaki Fujimori
  Chief Advisor of CVC Capital Partners Japan
  External Director of Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Boston Scientific Corporation, Toshiba Co., Ltd., Shiseido Co., Ltd.; Chairman of the Board of Japan Oracle Co., Ltd.
•  Hajime Furuya
  Director of the Startup and New Business Promotion Office at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Regional Economic and Industrial Policy Group, Economic and Industrial Policy Bureau, Industry Creation Division
•  Hiroyuki Watanabe
  President and CEO of B Dash Ventures Co., Ltd.
  Managing Director of the Japan Venture Capital Association

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About EY Entrepreneur of the Year

EY Entrepreneur of the Year differs from other awards in that it supports the activities of developing entrepreneurs and honors the contributions of entrepreneurs who use their foresight, leadership, and achievements to inspire others.
Recognized as the world's first and only global award of its kind, EY Entrepreneur of the Year is held in more than 145 cities and over 60 countries to honor ever-growing entrepreneurs and ensure the development of dynamic businesses.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of EY Entrepreneur of the Year Japan, an award ceremony which has elevated Japanese entrepreneurs to the international stage since 2001. EY Entrepreneur of the Year Japan strives to nominate role models for entrepreneurship and helps mold the next generation of leading international entrepreneurs. EOY Japan supports entrepreneurs on their journey to expand on a global scale and builds a community for entrepreneurs to connect with their peers.

About EY World Entrepreneur of the Year

EY World Entrepreneur of the Year is a program that supports the growth of entrepreneurs all over the globe. Held annually since 2001, the winners of each country’s EY Entrepreneur of the Year award are invited to the program to join a celebration of their efforts and achievements. This international event bestows the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year award to the entrepreneur considered to be the “best of the best” of the entrepreneurs selected during the annual global competition.

For inquiries concerning EOY Japan, please contact:

EY Entrepreneur of the Year Department

Tel　03 3503 1004
ey.com/ja_jp/entrepreneur-of-the-year-japan

Media inquiries

EY Japan BMC (Brand, Marketing and Communications)

Tel　03 3503 1037