A ship's wake stretching across Okinawa's blue sea

About Sanko

ABOUT SANKO

Tsuyoshi Umazume, President & Representative Director, Sanko Co., Ltd.

Passing on the seas that yieldthe world's finest tunato the next generation.

Since I was young, I have chased fresh tuna around the world.

Having seen the oceans of the world with my own eyes and tasted what they offer, I can say with confidence:

Okinawa's fresh tuna is the most delicious in the world. Nationwide, the connection between Okinawa and fresh tuna might not be widely recognized yet.

However, among industry professionals, Okinawa is renowned as one of the premier sources of fresh tuna.

Merely harvesting fish will not sustain our future. Merely selling fish will not nurture people.

That is why Sanko has gradually expanded its business across fishing, processing, sales, and human resource development, creating a sustainable cycle that connects the sea, our people, and food.

Passing on the seas that yield the world's finest tuna to the next generation.

And passing on a bright future to the next generation taking on new challenges.

That is the work I care about most today. As "shibinchu" (people of the tuna) and as Sanko, we continue to chart new courses. We invite you to taste the finest Okinawa tuna and follow Sanko's journey of innovation.

Tsuyoshi Umazume, President & Representative Director, Sanko Co., Ltd.

Sanko's craft: verifying fresh tuna quality
Fresh tuna lined up at an Okinawan fish market

Our core philosophyguiding our course

MISSION

Creating new value through food and human resources

VISION

Building a future from Okinawa rooted in safety and trust

VALUE

Embrace challengesBecome trusted professionalsMake a positive impact on society

PROJECTSanko's Initiatives

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PROJECT 01

Selected as a Regional Future-Leading Company

Sanko has been designated as a "Regional Future-Leading Company" by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). This recognition highlights our contributions to the local economy and our potential for future growth. As an Okinawa-rooted business, we will continue to grow alongside our local community, contributing to industrial development and job creation.

PROJECT 02

Promoting Women's Career Advancement(Eruboshi Certification)

We are fostering a workplace where every woman can work comfortably and reach her full potential. As part of this commitment, we are working toward obtaining the Eruboshi certification (recognizing companies that support women's career advancement). Eruboshi is an official system by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare that certifies companies actively promoting women's success. By improving hiring, career development, and evaluation systems, we strive to build an environment where everyone can thrive regardless of gender.

PROJECT 03

Childcare Support(Try Kurumin Certification)

We are building a supportive work environment where employees can balance work and family life with peace of mind. As part of this effort, we are working to achieve the Try Kurumin certification (recognizing childcare-supportive companies). Try Kurumin is certified by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to honor businesses proactively assisting in childcare. Through enhanced parental leave, shorter working-hour options, and encouragement of fathers' active participation in childcare, we create flexible workplaces suited to diverse life stages.

PROJECT 04

Community OutreachBento Delivery to Single-Parent Families

As a way to give back to our local community, Sanko continues to deliver handmade bento lunch boxes to children in single-parent households. Beyond supporting healthy growth through wholesome food, we strive to foster warm community ties where everyone shares smiles, moving past the roles of giver and receiver. Driven by our mission to create new value through food and people, we will keep supporting the bright future of local children, step by step.

PROJECT 05

Nurturing People, Growing Together

At Sanko, the people behind our business are our greatest asset. We believe that providing an environment where each person can work with peace of mind, take on new challenges, and grow fosters both our company's progress and the region's future. Moving forward, we will continue cultivating an inclusive, comfortable workplace where everyone can be their authentic self.

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PROFILECompany Profile

Company Name
Sanko Co., Ltd.
Address
4-17-10 Nishizaki-cho, Itoman-shi, Okinawa, Japan
Representative
Tsuyoshi Umazume
FAX
098-995-3589
Established
December 2, 1994
Capital
90 million yen
Our Business
  • Vessel Operations
  • Sales of Marine Equipment
  • Sale of Tuna and Seafood
  • Fresh Food Processing
  • Foreign Crew Manning Services (Maru-ship)
  • Restaurant Operations
  • Support Services for Specified Skilled Workers
  • Fee-charging Employment Placement and Temporary Staffing Services
  • All business operations incidental or related to each of the above items

HISTORYOur History

1984年
Founded as Sanko Bussan. Launched fresh tuna air-freight operations in Guam.
1986年
Opened our Indonesia office and commenced fishing vessel operations.
1994年
Established Sanko Suisan Co., Ltd. and launched local operations in Okinawa Prefecture.
2004年
Launched "Maru-ship" operations and foreign crew placement services. Obtained buyer (auction bidder) qualification for the Naha area (LLP Tomari Fish Market Limited Liability Partnership).
2005年
Opened the directly managed Tomari Iyumachi Fresh Fish Shop inside Tomari Iyumachi in Naha City.
2007年
Constructed and established a new HACCP-compliant food processing plant for Sanko Suisan Co., Ltd.
2008年
Opened Mi-kagan Shokudo, launching our dining and retail business.
2012年
Began accepting Indonesian technical intern trainees under the Technical Intern Training Program.
2013年
Relocated our headquarters from Naha City to Itoman City.
2014年
Opened "Osakanaya Mi-kagan" inside the Osakana Center at Michi-no-Eki Itoman.
2015年
Opened "Warayaki Irohamaru" in the Gourmet World food court on the 3rd floor of AEON MALL Okinawa Rycom.
2019年
Registered and approved as a Registered Support Organization (launched support services for Specified Skilled Workers).
2020年
Opened "Maguroya Miikagan," directly operated by Sanko Suisan Co., Ltd., inside Michi-no-Eki Itoman (Yukura)
2023年
Merged Sanko Suisan Co., Ltd. and Sanko Bussan Co., Ltd., officially renaming the company to Sanko Co., Ltd.
2024年
Opened "Maguroya Mi-kagan Tomari Iyumachi Store" inside Tomari Iyumachi.