Source: The Japan Times https://buff.ly/2Ug4keS⠀ ⠀ For people used to the fast-paced tech world, making miso in a sleepy town in Japan’s countryside might not seem too appealing — unless they realize that’s where their true calling lies.⠀ ⠀ Yu Maeda, a former employee of Microsoft Japan Co., and her engineer husband, Michinori, have chosen the bucolic life of Arao, Kumamoto Prefecture, where they intend to inherit the traditional method of making the Oshikida brand #handmademiso⠀ ⠀ Kyoko Hamasaki, 79, has devoted her life to supplying additive-free miso, which was named after the Oshikida district, to loyal customers. Now she plans to entrust the Maedas to take over her business of 34 years.⠀ ⠀ “I’ve always wanted to work in a free atmosphere, so I joined a foreign company,” Yu, 42, said in a recent interview, looking back at her years with Microsoft. “That desire grew even more through working there.”⠀ ⠀ Yu and Michinori got to know each other in Tokyo after the deadly March 2011 earthquake and tsunami struck northeastern Japan. Their common interest in club music brought them together.⠀ ⠀ The disaster, which resulted in the deaths of more than 15,800 people, made them reconsider their career paths in Tokyo and what direction they wanted to take.⠀ ⠀ This is what they believe in now:⠀ ⠀ “We want to have our child work with us as soon as possible,” Michinori said with a smile. “We could be a 100-year-old or a 200-year-old farm family if we become deeply rooted in our local community.” https://www.instagram.com/p/BtDs5WIFVsz/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=14t41k4r5i979
