After Michiro Kono graduated from the Faculty of Economics, University of Toyama in 2000, he began his career by starting in sales at NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP., and then joined Takefu Special Steel Co., Ltd. in 2008.

As a sales representative, Michiro Kono was involved in various domestic and international projects, and contributed to winning the 24th Small and Medium Enterprise Excellence New Technology and New Product Encouragement Award in 2012.

Michiro Kono has been in his current position as President and CEO of Takefu Special Steel Co. since 2014, and was selected as one of the “300 small and medium-sized enterprises that do their best” by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2015.

One of Takefu Special Steel Company’s latest projects is the exquisite iiza brand of kitchen knives (hôtcho), which are gaining fame and acclaim far beyond Japan’s borders. In early 2017, iiza’s Wabocho series won the prestigious iF Gold Award in Germany, receiving recognition for excellence in design and outstanding design achievement.

In collaboration with Olympic fencer, Kazuyasu Minobe, Takefu Special Steel Co. worked closed with the Japan Sports SDGs Association to launch the ‘Broken Blade Regeneration Project” in which fencing blades broken by athletes would be upcycled and turned into medals for athletes.

Michiro Kono is working to revitalize the company by placing top priority on human resource development initiatives in the “10-year vision” he created when he assumed his position.