Founder Introduction
Makoto Takewaki
Biography
Born on October 1, 1983, the founder developed an interest in the potential of e-commerce while studying at Ritsumeikan University. He started his career in the industry with a part-time job handling packing, shipping, and inventory management. After gaining experience, he joined an e-commerce company in Kyoto and later went independent, dealing with various products.
Amid the abundance of overseas products in today's market, the founder became deeply impressed by the quality of Japanese products. This inspired him to share the excellence of Japanese craftsmanship with the world, leading to the creation of JIOS. Through watchmaking, he is committed to showcasing the brilliance of Japanese craftsmanship globally. His goal is to establish JIOS as a brand recognized and appreciated worldwide, and to use it as a platform to introduce the founder's hometown of Ishiyama, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, to the world.
At home, he is a father of two boys, navigating the challenges of parenting with his wife. He works hard every day to balance his professional responsibilities with household duties and parenting.
The Inspiration Behind Founding JIOS
My first encounter with a wristwatch was a digital watch given to me by my uncle as a gift for entering junior high school. From that moment on, I became fascinated with watches, not only as treasured gifts but also as a key part of fashion. I spent hours researching in magazines, and even tried taking apart an automatic watch—only to end up breaking it! Back then, I never imagined that I would one day work in an industry centered around my love for watches.
Starting with a part-time job, I’ve spent nearly 20 years working with a variety of products, with a particular focus on wristwatches. Today, many of the items we use daily are made overseas. In this environment, I wanted to help people rediscover the precision, accuracy, and craftsmanship of Japanese manufacturing, and to share Japan's world-class manufacturing with people around the globe. My experience working with numerous overseas products has always reinforced my appreciation for the quality of Japanese products.
In recent years, there has been much talk about Japan’s declining international competitiveness. However, I believe that the diligence and precision of the Japanese people are strengths that stand out on the global stage. With this in mind, I founded JIOS with the goal of showcasing Japan's strengths through watchmaking, and by delivering high-quality products, I hope to bring a touch of happiness to people's everyday lives.
