Study Session by Mr. Harunobu Komatsu, Director of Maruei Uchiya Co., Ltd.

On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, AIU Cedar Society hosted a study session featuring Mr. Harunobu Komatsu, Director of Maruei Uchiya Co., Ltd., a company that operates nine supermarkets across Akita City and Yurihonjo City in Akita Prefecture, as well as Sakata City and Tsuruoka City in Yamagata Prefecture. Approximately 25 AIU students interested in regional revitalization, management, and business participated in the event.

Mr. Komatsu previously worked in research and development of materials at a major chemical company before joining Maruei Uchiya in 2021, where he has been involved in management and has contributed significantly to the business growth of J-Maruei. During the session, he provided detailed explanations on the marketing strategies embedded in the operation of food chain stores and the relationships between retail businesses and local communities.

In the Q&A session following the lecture, participants asked a wide range of questions—from “How far should a local chain supermarket expand its number of stores?” to “What impact do chain stores have on regional diversity and the economies of small independent shops?”—leading to a lively and engaging discussion.

Participants shared comments such as, “It was fascinating to learn how the supermarket I frequent has expanded its business,” and “I was able to better understand both the challenges and the appeal of the supermarket industry, especially because they don’t narrowly target specific customer segments.” The session proved to be a valuable learning opportunity, offering deep insights despite its highly specialized content.