Purpose
Establishment of the Purpose of the PILOT Group
Working within the PILOT Group’s business environment, we must respond to sweeping changes, such as the global
digitization of writing instruments and the diversification of purchasing channels, and we are compelled to prepare
for various supply chain risks and to help resolve social issues. For an effective response to these changes and to
move management ahead, the Group has redefined our meaning for existence and has established the following purpose
as a steadfast management objective. Also, we have developed a medium- to long-term vision and plan based on this
purpose. Going forward, we will share this purpose with our employees and other stakeholders around the world, and
we will take on initiatives that contribute to the Group’s sustainable growth and to help resolve
environmental and social issues.
PILOT's Purpose
The Guiding Principles of PILOT Corporation
Namiki Manufacturing Co., Ltd., the predecessor of PILOT Corporation, was established in 1918 by Ryosuke Namiki and
Masao Wada. As the Company grew, the two founders set out a company policy with five guiding principles.
These principles -- still followed today -- are the standard of conduct for all PILOT Group employees.
Japan rapidly modernized during the Taisho period, from 1912 to 1926, striving to catch up to developed countries in
the West. During this time, the Company's founders, Ryosuke Namiki and Masao Wada, after studying to be seafarers
together at the university, were motivated by the exciting prospect of exporting Japanese goods to markets overseas.
Envisioning business as more than just a way to make money, they aspired to make high-quality products domestically
for overseas consumers and to showcase to the world Japan's genuine abilities. That ambition has been passed down
through their original five guiding principles to the present day to all employees. Today, PILOT's products are sold
in over 180 countries around the world and valued by countless consumers, and the PILOT Group is aiming to continue
expanding business by keeping the five guiding principles alive in the hearts and minds of all employees worldwide.
San‐Sha‐Tei‐Ritsu
Three forces in balance with each other
U‐Ki‐Wa‐Sei‐Shin
Shared joys and shared sorrows
Nan‐Kan‐Top‐Pa
Overcoming difficulties
Ichi‐Nichi‐Is‐Shin
One step, one day
Shi‐Sei‐Shin‐Ken
A very sincere approach
San-Sha-Tei-Ritsu: Three forces in balance with each other
A ding is an ancient Chinese three-legged bronze cauldron. Knowing that a ding is unstable and of no use if one
leg is too long or short, the Company's founders applied the same logic to business, recognizing that
transactions between the consumer, seller, and producer would be unsustainable if only one of them stands to
gain or lose. Today, PILOT continues to ensure a balanced relationship between partners and all other
stakeholders when pursuing business.
U-Ki-Wa-Sei-Shin: Shared joys and shared sorrows
The Company's founders understood that working toward a goal could cause hardships, but that accomplishing a goal is
a genuine source of joy. Therefore, they believed that everyone in the Company should share successes and sacrifices
together in a spirit of solidarity, and work in unison to make the business thrive in cooperation with business
partners. This principle is reflected by PILOT's former trademark, a lifesaver or ring buoy, representing the
"unsinkable" desire for sound, stable operations.
Nan-Kan-Top-Pa: Overcoming difficulties
This principle is rooted in an experience of one of the Company's founders, Ryosuke Namiki. In his youth, he
worked as an engineer onboard a ship that encountered an unusually violent storm at sea. The crew struggled to
keep the ship afloat for two days and nights. Miraculously, everyone overcame the situation and survived by
banding together. In the same way, the Company has faced many trials since being founded; Every time, the
employees demonstrated a collective will to overcome difficulties, get through any crisis, and ensuring that the
business continues to grow vigorously.
Ichi-Nichi-Is-Shin: One step, one day
The Company's founders aspired to become maritime pilots in their youth, and to encourage themselves to achieve that
goal, they often reminded each other to always work hard because as long as some progress is made every day, even at
a slow pace, the day will come when they come out on top. Indeed, they chose pilot as the name for the Company's
inaugural product, a fountain pen with a gold nib -- the first of its kind made in Japan -- and later as the Company
name. This principle expresses how being consistent and steadfast is essential for a business to grow, while warning
against conceit and procrastination
Shi-Sei-Shin-Ken: A very sincere approach
This principle expresses the founders' conviction that nothing is impossible, regardless of the task, as long as it
is approached earnestly and in good faith. Conversely, this principle implies that any plan, no matter how good or
ingenious, cannot be completed without devotion and serious effort. Since the Company's founding, the principle of
conducting business in good faith has been consistently handed down as a "torch," demonstrating PILOT's approach to
customer satisfaction, which starts with putting the customer first at every stage, from research and development
through to manufacturing and sales.