Our accountant, who has been with us since founding in April 2005, sent nice 20th Anniversary congrats card for Mobikyo. Of course it was a kind and thoughtful gesture, marking an *important milestone* – which we had not even noticed, that moment was so deeply symbolic of our history here there are no adequate words to really describe how the realization hit. It’s been an honour and pleasure to serve: Yoroshiku!
It seems the survival rate in Japan over that term is 0.4% or 1 in 250 companies, in perspective: one thousand new companies stepped-up to the starting line for this marathon and we are one of the final four still running. Fondly recall a friendly dinner chat in those early months when asked ‘what’s your exit strategy’ and replied ‘guess we’ll die of old age’, somehow that cheeky quip was a bit more funny then than it is now.
A simple overview of our path thus far shows the first half was basically building and operating, while our second decade was evolving with the industry and surviving the chaos of markets. We were born when Iraq was still raging, navigated through both Lehman and Fukushima and just barely managed to stay afloat during the most recent ‘not normal’ times. So, now what.. interesting times ahead.. as always.. 😎
*Seijin-no-Hi *
In Japan, the second Monday in January has long been a national holiday: Coming of Age Day is held to congratulate and encourage all who have reached the age of maturity between April 2 of the previous year or by April 1 of the current year. As of 2022 adult status is effective on the 18th birthday, for marriage and voting – but legal age for smoking and drinking remains at 20-years old. がんばりましょう！
— 5×5 Editors