Narahara Auto Technical Co., Ltd.

Company overview

Aluminum parts are indispensable for all kinds of machinery, such as semiconductors, communication equipment, automobiles, and aircraft. Narahara Auto Technical Co., Ltd. handles the contract manufacturing of these parts. The company's greatest strength is its technical ability to meet customer needs. Handling everything consistently from design to material procurement, processing, surface treatment, and assembly, the company brings shape to products based on the vague requests of customers and their early-stage concepts. Furthermore, the company focuses on developing its own products for niche markets. A representative example is aluminum breadboards, which are used as base plates in optical experiments and other applications. While mass-produced standard products are the mainstream, Narahara Auto Technical Co., Ltd. supports small-lot customized production and keeps prices low, thereby boasting a top-class share in Japan today.
Anticipating future labor shortages, the company began hiring foreign nationals several years ago. Myint Moe Kyaw from Myanmar is one of them. After majoring in metallurgy at a university in Myanmar, he was involved in metal extraction at a local company. After that, he started learning Japanese with the aim of finding employment at a Japanese company. He came to Japan in the wake of the coup in Myanmar in 2021, participated in the company's internship while attending a Japanese language school, and subsequently joined the company. He comments: "The fact that all the employees were kind and taught me carefully left an impression on me. I decided to join the company because I thought my passion for manufacturing matched the company." Representative Director Shinji UCHINO also reflects: "Since his Japanese ability was strong and he was already living in Japan, I thought he would be able to fit in with our company."

Work-life balance initiatives

Narahara Auto Technical Co., Ltd. holds a barbecue and goldfish fishing tournament for employees on the company premises once a year. Uchino comments: "The purpose is to improve internal communication, but we conduct it during work hours. Therefore, the goldfish fishing is a serious battle. We compete on the number caught, size, patterns, etc., and even hold an awards ceremony." It is also popular with foreign employees. Myint Moe Kyaw says: "There was a river behind my parents' house, so I have been familiar with fishing. I am delighted to enjoy it in a different way here in Japan," showing a smile.
While holding such company-wide events, the company is currently focusing particularly on creating systems that suit "individual work-life balance." There is almost no overtime or holiday work, and a "culture of resting properly" has taken root in the company. "In the past, when I was running business alone, I didn't get results even if I worked all the time. So, as a result of organizing projects, setting priorities, and ensuring time off, price negotiation became possible, and there was no longer a need to accept low-priced work. Based on that experience, we have now established a system where everyone can take time off," says Uchino. However, foreign employees have commented: "I'm fine with just one day off a week because I want to work more and master the skills as quickly as possible." Uchino comments: "I would like to flexibly arrange systems according to the work styles and way of taking leave that each individual desires."

Human resource development initiatives

At Narahara Auto Technical Co., Ltd., many employees join with no experience. The secret to being able to acquire technical skills smoothly lies in the business model of "making products according to wishes with small-lot orders." Since employees handle new products almost every day, they can naturally learn new technologies, and by being in charge of the entire manufacturing process alone, they acquire a wide range of skills. Entrusting employees with mentoring juniors from an early stage after joining is also one of the company’s innovative approaches. "Teaching deepens understanding of the work and becomes a foundation for absorbing new knowledge. That is why I dare not to interfere," says Uchino.
In addition, the initiative of independent production is unique. If they have an idea, employees can freely create metal processed products using the company’s materials and machines. "You should be able to enjoy learning new technologies if you think ‘this is not work.’ Because you can achieve some kind of reaction if you give shape to your ideas, it leads to a sense of fulfillment," says Uchino.
Works created by employees based on their ideas, such as aluminum hand models and banana models, are attracting attention at exhibitions. According to Uchino: "It is difficult to convey the greatness of the technology to non-specialists with the parts manufactured for business as they are, but with works of independent production, by using familiar objects as motifs, we can convey our technical capabilities, design power, and creativity even to people who do not know aluminum processing well." It seems that there are actually cases where these works led to the acquisition of new customers.

Message from our top executive

President and CEO / Shinji UCHINO

Our immediate goal is the expansion of the aluminum breadboard business. We are strengthening marketing and sales and aiming for full-scale overseas sales in the future. We are also working on the development of new products and would like more customers to know about our technical capabilities and creativity. To those who are interested in developing overseas markets or new products and who have the desire to challenge themselves proactively, let's work together!

Message from foreign talent

Manufacturing Department Engineer / Myint Moe Kyaw(Myanmar)

Currently, I am in charge of lathe processing, which processes metal into round shapes. Because there is no one else in charge, it is a series of trial & error, but it is fun to be able to give shape to my ideas. I want to gain more experience in the future and acquire skills that are useful anywhere. In my private life, I belong to a Myanmar soccer team and enjoy matches on holidays. Even if you are unsure about working in Japan, it would be easy to take on the challenge in Tokyo, where it is easy to meet fellow countrymen. Please come and make your dream come true.