#Japan #Tokyo #Mitsubishi Pencil #uni Pencil #Oimachi Tracks

Mitsubishi Pencil's Unique Entry Ceremony

On April 1, 2026, Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd., headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, held its 19th 'Pencil Sharpening Entry Ceremony'. This remarkable event originated in 2008 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the highly esteemed domestic pencil brand 'uni', which was first released in 1958. The primary goal of this ceremony is to foster a deep affection for writing instruments among new employees as they embark on their career journey with the company. The act of sharpening a pencil symbolizes self-improvement, urging new employees to continue their personal development and thrive in their roles.

To commemorate this special occasion, each of the new recruits for the 2026 fiscal year received a dozen customized 'uni' pencils inscribed with the message, '2026.4.1 Welcome to Mitsubishi Pencil'. For many of the new employees, it was also their first experience with a carving knife, necessitating a brief training session. Under the guidance of seasoned employees, the recruits learned the essential skill of sharpening pencils.

The nervousness of using a carving knife on their first day soon transitioned into enjoyment as they embraced the process, showing off their progress. This year's ceremony included a unique collaboration event with the newly opened 'OIMACHI TRACKS', which took place on March 28. New hires took part in an exciting sketching experience at TRACKS PARK. Despite the erratic weather, the recruits captured images of scenes they wished to depict, eventually returning to the corporate headquarters to finalize their sketches using their self-sharpened pencils. With guidance from two special instructors from DessinLABO, the new employees were able to discover the joy of self-expression, marking an important first step toward Mitsubishi Pencil's long-term vision of becoming 'the world's leading innovator in expression' by 2036.

President’s Address: Shigeyuki Kazuhara

"Congratulations on your entry! The Pencil Sharpening Entry Ceremony has now been held 19 times since its inception in 2008, marking 50 years of the 'uni' pencil. It started as a project initiated by young employees who wished to create something uniquely representative of our company. One thing I have learned from this ceremony is that a pencil cannot write unless sharpened. No matter how great the product, continual polish is necessary. This is akin to self-improvement. I hope today serves as your first step in honing your skills and you have an enjoyable time during this ceremony."

Voices from New Employees:

• - "Lately, I've been using more ballpoint pens and mechanical pencils, but sharpening my own pencil and sketching made me realize a lot. It was a valuable experience that could translate into great ideas for our products as an employee of Mitsubishi Pencil."

• - "I found the challenge of sharpening a pencil with my own hands to be tough yet fun. It reminded me of the times I used to sharpen pencils and color with my grandfather after his retirement. I want to remember this beginner's spirit as I continue to do my best."

Messages of Encouragement from Senior Employees:

• - "In my first year, I was tasked with developing pens for the 'JETSTREAM' brand I’d known since my student days. I remember feeling anxious about whether I could handle it, so I want to remind you not to bear your worries alone. Don't hesitate to share your concerns with those around you. I, too, have received assistance from my seniors multiple times. One of the joys here is that you engage with products closely related to consumers, and when you see them in stores, it's very rewarding. Let’s create writing instruments that people will considerate their everyday companions together."

• - "Our company offers a work environment where even young employees can be entrusted with significant responsibilities. Initially, I often felt unsure about the approach to work, but in hindsight, it’s clear that it is important not to strive for perfection and to leverage support from those around me. Let's balance learning from others with embracing ourselves in our work, and together, face challenges head-on."

Entry Ceremony Overview:

• - Date: April 1, 2026 (Wednesday) 11:00 - 13:20
• - Venue: Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd., 2nd Floor Seminar Room, 5-23-37 Higashi-Oi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

'TRACKS PARK', 2-2-9 Hirocho, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

• - Attendees: 26 new employees

Ceremony Agenda:

• - Opening of the Pencil Sharpening Entry Ceremony
• - Address by Shigeyuki Kazuhara, President of Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.
• - Pencil Sharpening Challenge by New Employees

- The recruits sharpened the distributed pencils with carving knives.

• - Demos from Senior Employees
• - Messages from Senior Employees to New Recruits
• - Collaboration Event with OIMACHI TRACKS

- Sketching Lesson: External instructors explained how to sketch landscapes.
- 'TRACKS PARK Landscape Sketching': A collaboration with OIMACHI TRACKS opened on March 28, featuring sketches of TRACKS PARK scenery.

• - Closing of the Second Part

For more updates on Mitsubishi Pencil, check out the press release page. For product inquiries, please contact the Mitsubishi Pencil Customer Service Center at 0120-321433.