Today, I had the opportunity to sit down with a fifth-generation Tatami manufacturer visiting Canada from Japan.
What is Tatami?
Tatami are traditional Japanese flooring mats woven from natural rush grass. They are thick, slightly soft to walk on, and carry a subtle, calming scent that many Japanese people associate with home, comfort, and tradition.
As I listened to him speak about his family business, something came to my mind.
The 0.3% Everyone Knows
When most people in North America picture Japanese business, they often think of the same familiar names:
Toyota. Sony. Mitsubishi UFJ.
The giants.
But according to Japan’s latest enterprise statistics, those well-known corporations represent only about 0.3% of all businesses in Japan.
Just 0.3%.
The other 99.7% are small and medium-sized enterprises.
Family workshops.
Regional manufacturers.
Local craftspeople.
Businesses that may never become household names outside Japan, yet continue creating exceptional products generation after generation.
That 99.7% is the Japan I fell in love with.
A Country of Quiet Century-Makers
Japan is home to more than half of all companies in the world that have operated for over 100 years.
Think about that for a moment.
Not half of Asia.
Half of the entire world.
Many of these businesses remain family-owned and deeply connected to their local communities. Some were founded in the late 1800s during Japan’s rapid modernization period (1868–1912). Others began in the early 1900s (1912–1926). A few have been operating for centuries.
They rarely make headlines.
Instead, they work quietly.
In small workshops.
In rural towns.
In places where skills, craftsmanship, and relationships matter more than rapid growth.
Their products often reflect generations of accumulated knowledge and a commitment to doing one thing exceptionally well.
The Story Behind the Product
As the tatami manufacturer shared stories about his company, I realized something important.
When we purchase a Japanese product, we are often buying more than the item itself.
We are buying a story.
A tradition.
A family’s dedication.
A philosophy that has been refined over decades, sometimes centuries.
Whether it’s tatami, ceramics, textiles, fermented foods, tea, or handcrafted tools, many Japanese products carry a depth of history that is difficult to see at first glance.
The Japan I Want You to Meet
At AK JAPAN, my passion has never been limited to importing products.
What excites me most is introducing people to the makers behind them.
The companies that don’t appear in international business magazines.
The businesses that have quietly perfected their craft for generations.
The entrepreneurs who care deeply about quality, community, and long-term relationships.
They may not be part of the famous 0.3%.
But they are part of the 99.7% that makes Japan extraordinary.
And perhaps that is the Japan I hope more people can discover.
What Japanese Products Speak to You?
Maybe it’s green tea, kitchen knives, textiles, or something else?
I’d love to know.
What Japanese products or traditions fascinate you the most?
Let me know in the comments.