In essence, Kikuchi provides its customers with a package solution system encompassing every stage from development through to mass production. It is a “hands-on” approach based around Kikuchi’s concept of using the latest technology to support people in the very traditional work of creating high-quality products.

Kikuchi has in fact been so successful, receiving high commendations from companies manufacturing products from mobile phones to medical devices, that its management had decided to take the company public in July 2011. However, before they could do this, the Great East Japan Earthquake struck on March 11, devastating the Tohoku region.

Although Kikuchi’s main factory is located in Itate-mura, one of the areas affected by the nuclear accident, it managed to escape with minimal disruption. Unfortunately, Itate-mura was then designated as a planned evacuation zone in April, requiring most residents to leave. Under an exemption issued by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, however, Kikuchi and eight other companies whose work takes place indoors were allowed to continue operations.

This required Kikuchi to make a decision. According to Naotaka Otogaza, section chief of the corporate planning department, “When Itate-mura was designated as a planned evacuation zone, we assumed employees would leave due to the radiation. But many actually showed their desire to stay and keep working, and the village also asked us to stay in business. It was because of this we made a decision to remain. Our driving force truly was our employees’ deep attachment to Kikuchi and Itate-mura.”

The decision by Kikuchi management was underscored by the fact the company had already returned to normal operation by the time the evacuation order was issued. As would be expected though from a company with Kikuchi’s humanistic approach to business, protecting employees from radiation and ensuring thorough decontamination was a top priority. Thus, even though the government had concluded operations could continue without danger, on its own initiative, Kikuchi undertook several measures to further increase safety.

These efforts included various structural modifications such as reinforcing the factory roof and walls and floating roads inside the facility to prevent radiation particles gathering in the rough surface. In addition, Kikuchi set up an air shower at the factory entrance, prepared indoor shoes and required employees to wear face masks and wash their hands. It also brought in radiation experts to hold seminars for personnel.

However, Kikuchi also went a step further and tracked down all 240 of its employees affected by the accident and measured them for estimated accumulated radiation. The plan was to evacuate anyone who exceeded the allowable dose from the village, but fortunately all personnel were within acceptable levels. Nevertheless, Kikuchi also prepared individual dosimeters so staff could continue to monitor their own levels.

Naturally, although these efforts represented the full extent of what Kikuchi could do under such exceptional circumstances, concerns remained about both radiation and the very real threat of further earthquakes. To address these points and demonstrate its commitment to job security, the company took the step of renting a factory site in Nihonmatsu City, far from the accident site, and moved part of its operations, including 40 personnel, to the new location. This had the triple effect of decentralizing manufacturing capabilities, maintaining operational stability and ensuring employee safety.

In the present day, with the unprecedented focus on profit, it is rare to find a company that shows such obvious dedication to both its core mission and staff. Happily, Kikuchi has been rewarded for its commitment to these values and is currently operating at perhaps even greater strength than before the disaster. This success is also demonstrated by the fact Kikuchi has ultimately been successful in its bid to go public, launching its first share offering on October 28.