Since the inception of Pilot Corporation in 1918, we at Pilot have always conducted our business based on the five Guiding Principles adopted by our founders, Masao Wada and Ryosuke Namiki.
Sansha Teiritsu – The Three Balanced Forces
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, our founders applied the same logic to business, recognising 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.
Ukiwa Seishin – Shared Joys and Shared Sorrows
Our founders understood that working toward a goal could cause hardships, but that accomplishing a goal is a genuine source of joy. At PILOT, we believe 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 our business partners. This principle is reflected by PILOT’s former trademark, a lifesaver or ring buoy, representing the “unsinkable” desire for sound, stable operations.
Nankan Toppa – Overcoming Difficulties
This principle is rooted in an encounter of one of our 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 its inception. However, the staff has demonstrated a collective will to overcome difficulties, triumph over any crisis, and ensuring that the business continues to grow vigorously.
Ichinichi Ishiin – On Step, One Day
Our founders aspired to become maritime pilots in their youth. To spur themselves onward, they often reminded each other to work hard and make continuous progress daily. They believed that with every little step forward, they would be able to succeed one day. 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.
Sishei Shinken – A Very Sincere Approach
This principle expresses our founders’ conviction that nothing is impossible. Regardless of the task, it can be accomplished when approached in an earnest manner 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.
