Japanese Screen Printing Magazine Publisher Akinobu Kochiya Passes Away

26 July 2024: His Son Yuto Kochiya Shares Perspectives on the Sad Demise due to Heart Failure, which is Mourned by Industry Leaders Across Asian Countries Including India.

My father, Akinobu Kochiya, passed away in February 2024 at the age of 65 due to heart failure. Akinobu had been involved in the screen printing industry for over 30 years. The company was originally continued by his father. The company imported technical information from overseas and, conversely, disseminated Japanese information overseas.

I, Yuto Kochiya, had originally participated in overseas exhibitions since I was a child, and thought that I would take over the company someday. I was involved in a different industry until my father’s death. I used to work as an accountant at PwC Japan, involved in accounting audits and consulting work.

However, when I thought about what to do with the company after Akinobu’s death, I looked into it again and found that there were so many screen printing techniques around me that I had not noticed, and I thought it was very interesting, so I decided to take over the company. Our company will be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, so we will continue the work we have been doing up until now. Since I have been studying English for a long time and used English every day in my previous job, I would like to strengthen the international aspect. It is true that the demand for printing has decreased recently, but I believe that it is an industry that will never disappear, and I believe that there is a large market in the industrial field, so I would like to contribute as myself and the company to ensure that the screen printing industry survives.

Personally, traveling is my hobby, and in 2023 I visited Malaysia, India, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay. Therefore, I would like to actively participate in overseas exhibitions that are difficult to visit (although it doesn’t make me feel like I’m traveling), collect information about each country and provide that information to my readers.

In Memoriam …
“It was indeed saddening to hear about the demise of my close friend Akinobu Kochiya, may his soul rest in peace. He used to send us his screen printing magazine in Japanese language regularly. We used to interact during screen printing industry events across the globe. He was a facilitator, providing a bridge between Japan and the rest of the world for whoever wanted to do business with his countrymen. I especially remember meeting him during Asia Screen Printing & Graphic Imaging Association (ASGA) Board meetings where he used to represent Japanese Screen and Digital Printers Association (JSDPA) and I attended as President of Screenprinting & Graphics Association of India (SGAI). I will always miss him and it is heartening to see that Yuto Kochiya, has entered the family business and will take his father’s legacy forward.”

– Anil Brahmbhatt, Founder & Managing Director SkyScreen International (P) Ltd. and President, SGAI