Hitoshi Miki×Chisako Takashima

2016.12.01

An interview series featuring Ginza people in conversation with violinist Chisako Takashima. With a special fondness for Ginza, which holds many memories both from her professional and private lives, Takashima explores Ginza from various dimensions with her guests.In this volume she welcomes Mr. Hitoshi Miki, chair of the Ginza International Luxury Committee (GILC) and President and CEO of Richemont Japan Limited. She interviews him about the Ginza Illumination Hikarimichi, an event hosted by GILC.

Ginza, a town with internationally high status

Takashima: May I ask a few questions about Richemont Japan Limited, of which you are President and CEO?
Miki: Were you familiar with Richemont prior to this?
Takashima: No, I’m afraid not… (bitterly laughs)
Miki: Oh, please do not feel bad about that (laughs). Richemont is not the name of a particular brand but is the corporate name of the Richemont Group, a luxury brand group second only to LVMH (Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton) which Louis Vuitton belongs to. Our headquarters are based Geneva in Switzerland and I represent the Japanese arm of the company, Richemont Japan.
Takashima: I need to study more!
Miki: Our group comprises mostly timepiece and jewelry brands, including the jewelry brands Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels and the luxury watchmakers Vacheron Constantin, Piaget and Panerai. We own a total of fourteen brands, with also Dunhill, Mont Blanc and Chloe. We actually have six boutiques from our group on Chuo-dori.
Takashima: Six boutiques! Does locating a store in Ginza put it in a class of its own?
Miki: Yes. A store on Chuo-dori has great significance for a luxury brand. Ginza means high status for everyone who works in luxury brands worldwide. It is the equivalent of having a boutique on Fifth Avenue or Madison Avenue in New York or on Paris’ Champs Elysees or Avenue Montaigne.

Cartier Ginza Boutique
Jimmy Cohrssen ©Cartier

Hopes for Ginza’s dramatical development into a true international city

Takashima: What are your expectations for Ginza?
Miki: Ginza has been and will continue to be a town of “tradition and innovation”. This is a unique feature, not to be found in any other town nationwide. Ginza is a town of old traditions and culture that have been passed down over generations or hundreds of years, as well as traditions that have been pursued by those living or doing business in there. These traditions will continue eternally. However, Ginza is not just about traditions. If Ginza only observed traditions it would become an anachronism, but it is constantly building on its traditions to create something new. Open to luxury brands like us, Ginza is well-balanced, accepting the new while preserving traditions.
Takashima: I guess that incredible sense of balance is what makes Ginza so attractive.
Miki: Yes, I believe so. Not only Ginza, but towns throughout Japan, will become more internationalized in the future. The Tokyo Olympics may mark a turning point. In light of that, I hope that Ginza will continue to welcome foreigners and gain world status as a true international city. Of course, we are determined to contribute to its development.

Chisako Takashima

Violinist. Takashima started taking violin lessons from the age of 6. After a successful career abroad, she moved her home base to Japan, where she currently performs in concerts across the country. Highly noted for her character in TV and radio appearances, she has currently opened up her career to more diverse fields with an unchanged focus on her profession

Chisako Takashima official website

Hitoshi Miki

After being graduated from Doshisha University, Miki joined Kashiyama Co., Ltd. (currently, Onward Kashiyama CO., Ltd.). In 2003, he became CEO of Chloe, Richemont Japan Limited, and later became president and CEO of Van Cleef and Arpels, Richemont Japan Limited in 2013. In 2015, he assumed his current position of President and Representative Director Regional CEO of Richemont Japan Limited.

Written by: Mikiko Okai; Place of interview: Van Cleef & Arpels, Ginza flagship store

Released! A new album by Chisako Takashima 12 Violinists: MUSE -12 Precious Harmony-

Chisako Takashima 12 Violinists have released their first album in four years: MUSE -12 Precious Harmony-.
This diverse album celebrates the 12 Violinists’ tenth year with many classical numbers.
With three original pieces, including “SPLASH!!!,” a novel number written and co-performed by Sukimaswitch, the album comprises twelve numbers.

Click here for details, including information on individual numbers.

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