Yosuke Kawamoto, President and COO, Rengo Co., Ltd.

2026.09.02

A challenge to support society, starting from cardboard.

■ Profile
Born May 28, 1955, in Osaka Prefecture. Graduated from Kobe University, Faculty of Economics in 1978. Joined Rengo in the same year, became an executive officer in 2007, a director and executive officer in 2011, a director and managing executive officer in 2014, and a director and senior managing executive officer in 2019. Appointed Representative Director, President and COO in 2020.

Since its founding in 1909, Rengo Co., Ltd. has pioneered Japan's corrugated cardboard industry. As a general packaging industry company boasting sales of 1 trillion yen, it supports the infrastructure of the socio-economic system. We spoke with President Kawamoto of Rengo about the pride he developed in his work on the sales floor, the cheering squad spirit he had in college, and his passionate feelings for the young people who will shape the future.

Rengo was founded in 1909. Its founder, Teijiro Inoue, was the first person in Japan to commercialize corrugated cardboard and coined the term "corrugated cardboard." Today, the company boasts sales of approximately 1 trillion yen and has established a unique business foundation that handles everything from paper to film, including not only corrugated cardboard but also papermaking, paper containers, flexible packaging for sandwiches and rice balls in convenience stores, and heavy packaging.
We call this strength our "Hexagon Management" approach. It consists of six pillars: five core businesses—corrugated cardboard, paperboard, paper containers, flexible packaging, and heavy-duty packaging—plus our globally expanding "overseas business." Not only in Japan, but globally, no other company can offer such a wide range of packaging, from paper to film. While there are giant global companies with a market capitalization of 3 trillion yen that compete with us, we don't simply compete on scale. Instead, we value the principle of "Not the biggest, but the finest," and aim to be the world's best "general packaging industry" company that meets all of our customers' needs.

■Pride that blossomed from working in sales, and the spirit of being a cheerleader during university days

My reason for joining the company was a recommendation from someone in the university's administrative office. When I visited the company, I felt it "seemed interesting," and I decided to join on the spot. At the time, I didn't have a strong attachment to any particular industry; I simply wanted to enter the workforce as soon as possible and wanted to work in a way that suited me, rather than being lost in a huge organization. After joining the company, my career started in corrugated cardboard sales at the Tokyo factory. A major realization I learned during my time in sales was that the packaging industry we work in is "social and economic infrastructure." Even products that our customers have created with care cannot reach consumers without packaging to protect and transport them. Through interacting with diverse customers, a strong sense of pride and mission in my work began to grow. And the origin of my passion for this work and my attitude towards the organization is my experience in the university's cheering squad. At that time, as vice-captain, I dedicated my youth to uniting the feelings of Kobe University students through managing the school festival, street publicity activities, and cheering for baseball games. This experience of involving colleagues and uniting the organization with passion still serves as my core principle in today's management, helping to unify the mindset of my colleagues (Renjin) working at Rengo.

■ Environmental initiatives that support a sustainable society and organizational development that leverages diversity

Currently, one of the themes we prioritize is environmental responsibility. The Rengo Group's recycled paper utilization rate in paperboard production has reached over 98%, and a circular economy that collects used paper and recycles it into corrugated cardboard has already been established. Meanwhile, in the film field, where various materials are mixed, we are promoting research into chemical recycling technologies that chemically decompose and regenerate materials, and striving to fulfill our responsibility as a packaging manufacturer. Furthermore, in order to reduce our "carbon footprint (CFP)," which visualizes carbon dioxide emissions, we are actively promoting the conversion of fuel to biomass in our factories and the introduction of renewable energy. This sincere commitment to sustainability not only contributes to the global environment but also provides Rengo with a solid competitive advantage. In addition, we value respect for diversity in our organizational development. Some people are good at speaking in front of others, while others are the type who work steadily and diligently without drawing attention to themselves. Regardless of gender, nationality, age, or disability, it is the gathering of diverse personalities, each drawing out their strengths and moving towards a common goal that leads to the true strength of the organization. I myself proposed an "overseas training program" in my 30s and went to New York as part of the first cohort. After that, I gained experience in overseas business and as a factory manager before becoming president in 2020. No matter what department you're in, if you work with sincerity and dedication, it will surely come back to you. My mission is to create an environment where every employee feels loyalty and job satisfaction, and can continue to take on challenges with enthusiasm.

■Message to university students

I would like to offer you all the words, "Young people, have great ambitions." Never limit your own potential, but with high aspirations and big dreams, move forward with all your might. The most important thing in life is "sincerity." As the saying goes, "sincerity reaches heaven," and a sincere and dedicated attitude will surely move the hearts of those around you, no matter the era or society. And it is the power of you, the younger generation, that will make Japan an even better society. Don't be afraid of failure, believe in your own potential, and keep challenging yourselves. As a former cheerleader, I am rooting for your future.

Student Newspaper Online, July 29, 2026 Interview with Natsune Koga, 1st year student at Keio University

Akina Yoshimatsu (4th year, Musashino University) / Yurie Watanabe (3rd year, Josai International University) / Ayuri Nakatsu (2nd year, Dokkyo University) / Risa Ukita (3rd year, Tokyo Woman's Christian University) / Tatsushi Harada (2nd year, Nihon University) / Reina Inomoto (1st year, Kyoto Sangyo University) / Kanon Koga (1st year, Keio University)