Love is red and passionate - ANTELOPE Yusuke

Yusuke is involved in mead production at ANTELOPE.
While he usually carries out his work with a sense of humor, we decided to ask him about some slightly embarrassing topics: "moments that move the heart," "love," and "the future."

What emerged from our conversation was a gentleness in how he nurtures plants and a professional philosophy as an "unsung hero," cultivated during his days as a rugby player.

Being moved by "growth"

At the start of the interview, when asked about a moment that recently moved him, he pondered for a bit before naming a manga series.

"It’s a work called 'Skip and Loafer.' It’s the story of a high school girl who moves to Tokyo from the countryside in Ishikawa Prefecture, and as she’s shaped by life in the city, she grows through conflicts and honest exchanges with her friends."

There are romantic elements to the story, but he says that isn't what drew him in.

"The process of overcoming internal struggles—that depiction of human growth is what moved me and made me think, 'Wow, that’s great.'"

"Like" is pink, "Love" is red

The theme of this interview is "love." What is love to Yusuke? He describes it using colors.

"It’s just a feeling, but I imagine 'like' as pink and 'love' as red. Pink feels a bit lighter and softer. In contrast, the 'red' of love feels more passionate, like something you’d use in a more serious situation."

Does he feel that "red love" in his daily life?

"I don't really feel love when I'm alone, but... oh, the character for 'mederu' (to adore/cherish) is the same as the one for 'love,' right? In that sense, I think there is love when I'm tending to my plants."

He currently grows herbs like rosemary at Antelope. Also, in the entrance of the factory, there is a banyan tree that started as nothing but roots, which he watered and nurtured daily until it sprouted leaves.

"There is love you feel when you're with someone, but I truly believe there is love in the time spent nurturing something with your own hands."

"Love for the workplace" and the philosophy of a job

It has been nearly two years since Yusuke joined Antelope, but he previously worked in a completely different industry. He worked at an industrial waste treatment plant in Hino Town, Shiga Prefecture, where plastic waste was converted into fuel.

When asked the slightly provocative question, "Was there love in an inorganic place like a factory?", he spoke about his own kind of "professional love."

"I’m not sure if you could call it love, but I was always mindful of how I treated the truck drivers delivering goods. I wanted to help them unload as quickly as possible without making them wait. To do that, I made sure the factory was organized. That was the kind of consideration I showed."

In a blue-collar environment where some might look down on or treat external contractors poorly, Yusuke’s attitude remained consistent.

"It's better if everyone can work easily, isn't it? It’s about creating an environment where people can work without dissatisfaction. If I have to swallow some bitterness to make that happen, so be it. I’d rather just be the one to act."

That spirit of self-sacrifice seems to stem from his sports experience as a student.

"I think the 'unsung hero' positions—like the forwards in rugby—suit my personality. My father was the quiet type who let his actions speak for him, and I grew up thinking that was the norm."

This spirit lives on at Antelope today. He supports the team from behind the scenes, preparing ingredients and organizing pallets to ensure that the wide range of tasks—brewing, shipping, marketing—runs smoothly.

Love from his hometown of Kumamoto, and what lies ahead

He also has a deep attachment to Kumamoto, his hometown where he lived until university. The days he spent striving to show his international student friends the wonders of his hometown, and a recent event he held there, have shaped the "love" within him.

"When I held an event in Kumamoto, many friends came, and we achieved our highest sales ever. It might seem like a small thing individually, but if you look at it differently, I think I received love from everyone."

Finally, I asked him about the future ten years from now. He brought up a story about "happiness" he had read in an article.

"Apparently, people who answer 'the same' to the question, 'Will your life ten years from now be different from today?' have a higher level of happiness. So, I hope that my current life continues."

Of course, he hopes that the company's sales will grow and that the culture of mead will spread.

"I want to convey how delicious mead is to people who don't know it, and have it become an option for them when they drink. I hope that by doing so, I can help enrich their time. That is the contribution I want to make."

He does not crave major changes; he loves his current life, tends to his plants, makes delicious alcohol, and acts to make things easier for those around him.

Wishing for things to "stay the same" while steadily planting roots and growing branches, Yusuke is much like the banyan tree he cherishes so much.