The job of ``bookstore manager'' seems obvious, but I can't really picture it in detail, but what kind of things do you usually do?

It's a shop that proposes a lifestyle, not just books, but also miscellaneous goods and events, so we do a lot of different things. In terms of the flow of the day, I have a morning assembly, check the previous day's sales, check the sales floor, etc. In between, we have meetings with the facility manager and those who wish to use the event space. The rest is about creating shifts.

Will there also be a sales floor created?

One of the features of Tsutaya Shoten is that the store has a staff member called a "concierge" who has editorial rights to the sales floor. Concierges select products, create corners, and plan and manage events under their own authority.
I believe that the main role of a store manager is to ``create an environment where staff can work comfortably'' and ``make the space comfortable for customers,'' rather than focusing on products.

Is there anything that is important to you in your position of managing the staff?

It means creating an environment where staff can grow. I often get asked questions like ``I'd like to try this kind of project,'' but I try to avoid saying ``no'' as much as possible. As long as it doesn't violate the law (lol). I believe that even if you fail, you can learn a lot from the experience.
On the other hand, the spotlight tends to be on the staff who can create concierge-like plans, but I would like to see the sales staff who interact with customers every day at the counter also receive recognition. With this in mind, we have been working to create a path for part-time sales staff to step up.

Will Mr. Honjo ever be at the cash register himself?

yes. I believe that facing customers is essential to creating a comfortable store, so I try to stand as much as possible.

I'm sure there are times when you have to take time off due to your child's events or illness, but how do you plan for that?

We work as a team in shifts, so I think it's easy to make adjustments.

If you work in shifts, you may have irregular holidays and work hours. What kind of support do you have at home?

Actually, my husband is a former colleague of mine, and he understands my situation very well. I've now changed jobs and am working at a different job, but since I work remotely, she picks up and drops off my children, and even helps me put them to bed on days when I'm late. When I ask my younger child, ``Who do you sleep with, Mom or Dad?'', he immediately responds, ``Dad!'' (lol)

That's reassuring. Where do you go when you go out with your family?

I go to the roadside station. There is a space for children to play, and I also choose vegetables with them.

They look at the vegetables together!

I'm surprisingly enjoying shopping. If you choose them together, you'll be able to eat vegetables that you don't usually eat.

I felt that you had a good selection of children's books, but do families come to the store?

there is. When I hold events for children, such as picture book projects, on the weekends, I don't have much time to rest, so I often bring my children to work and have them participate in the event (lol). When we get a half-day off, we meet up and go home together.

I think you use different brains for work and housework/childcare, or you need to switch modes. How do you switch between these modes?

I have a lot of time to commute to work, so I often order from online supermarkets while I'm commuting, and as I do that, I feel like the transition will come naturally.

How do you find time to refresh yourself outside of work and housework?

After putting my child to bed, I watch a drama or have a drink with my husband. Also a bath with my youngest child. It's interesting to hear about a child this young (3 years old) (lol)

Please let us know if there are any items that have helped you while raising your children or that you would recommend to our readers.

This is a bookstore after all. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" board book (photo left). This is the one I actually used, and even though three children were pulling it around, it's still sturdy. It is recommended that you memorize numbers.
I also often brought this finger puppet book (pictured on the right) with me when I went out.

Lastly, please tell us if there is anything you would like to be like as a store manager and a mother.

It is because of the support of my family that I am able to work full-time as a store manager. I want to do work that I can be proud of for the families who support me. I want to create a store where not only adults but also children can come and visit and fall in love with books.