Monday, March 22, 2010
Now 2HJ has the new office manager!
Second Harvest Japan (2HJ) has promoted Masahiro Otake, a staff member in charge of business development and logistics, to a new position as office manager. We interviewed Otake and he tells us what he wants to do as the new office manager.
The new Office Manager, Otake (the middle), at the Global Foodbanking Network training.
How do you feel to become the office manager?
“It doesn’t feel real yet, especially because most parts of my work will remain the same as before for a while.”
Then, tell us about your current role at 2HJ.
“My main role is to pick up and deliver food donations, and to negotiate with food donors. 2HJ signed contracts with 88 food corporations last year alone. I receive at least one new inquiry from companies per day. It’s very busy.”
“Besides that, I speak to students at middle schools and high schools about 2HJ and foodbanking. Also, I conduct exhibitions at events such as Eco Products so that we can raise awareness of foodbanking.”
So, awareness raising is a key part of your work?
“I think awareness of foodbanking not only among food companies but also among the public is extremely important. Regarding food donations, to let donors know and understand our activities, agree about the way we deliver food, and be supportive of our mission is the key. For that, communication with donors through events and media is important.”
What do you expect to happen as the result of awareness raising?
“Our ultimate goal is that each prefecture in Japan will have at least one food bank in 5 or 10 years. But I recognize that there are huge awareness gap among people depending on areas. I think there are many people potentially interested in starting food banks in different areas. So, it’s our job to raise awareness of foodbanking so that those people can start food banks more smoothly.”
“At the same time, the system to connect nation-wide food companies with local food-banks is important. Through the national food-bank network that 2HJ is trying to establish, food banks in different areas can supplement each other’s stock. That’s the merit of the national network.”
Anything you would like to say to volunteers and donors?
“There is nothing but thank-you to them. They give us a lot just for the sake of giving. This makes me feel that 2HJ is not working by itself. It’s working thanks to support from many people. I feel expectations from them and feel very responsible. 2HJ’s role as a leading food bank in Japan is very big. I will do my job with a strong sense of responsibility.”
Thank you, Otake.
2HJ will be different with the new office manager. But our mission, food for all people, and our activity of delivering unmarketable food to those in need will not change. Food banking started in America and we need your support to let it grow in Japan, in which mottainai, the Japanese ethic of trying to avoid waste, and otagaisama, an ethic that values helping each other when in need, prevail.
Otake participated in a training held by the Global Food Banking Network (GFN) in San Antonio, Texas, from March 2 through 5. The training brought together food bank representatives from 23 countries. He will report about the training soon. Please look forward to his news from GFN.
If you like this story, you might also enjoy:
Office Manager Masahiro Otake’s U.S. Food Bank Travelogue Vol. 1
Announcement of the executive director’s relocation to the U.S.
Link to News story »
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