Values of Japanese 
Fasteners Spreading 
Around the World 
‘The future opened by Japanese fasteners.’
Sunco Industries holds a roundtable discussion 
with key suppliers, focusing on international 
expansion, future opportunities, and the  
strength of Japanese fasteners worldwide.
A Roundtable Discussion:
Exclusive Feature
Yoshifumi Taniguchi
Atsushi Hashimoto
Tateo Murakami
Daisuke Shiba
Sunco Industries aims to share Japanese 
fasteners with the world. Through their 
Socket Boy mascot, playful advertising 
graphics, and celebration of Japanese 
culture, the Sunco team never fails to put 
a smile on our faces at Fasten.it.
In February 2026, Sunco Industries 
brought together five key suppliers for a 
second roundtable discussion, following 
the first session in July 2025. Under the 
theme “From importing to exporting: 
overseas markets opened by Japanese 
fasteners”, the participants discussed 
their international experience, strengths of 
Japanese products and services, barriers 
to overseas expansion and opportunities 
they see ahead.
Participants:
•	
Yoshifumi Taniguchi, President, 
Nakaumi Industries Co. Ltd.
•	
Atsushi “Attsie” Hashimoto, 
President, Unytite Corporation
•	
Tateo Murakami, Deputy General 
Manager, Fastening Division, Nippon 
Fastener Corporation 
•	
Daisuke Shiba, Executive Managing 
Director, Kishu Fastener Group
•	
Yuki Kariya, Managing Director, QP 
Fastening Works Co. Ltd.
•	
Miki Hiraoka, Manager, Sunco 
Industries Co. Ltd.
•	
Tomokazu Takada, Assistant Section 
Manager, Sunco Industries Co. Ltd.
Hashimoto: Unytite established a 
US subsidiary in 1986, began local 
manufacturing and sales in 1990 and 
opened a factory in China in 2005.  
The Chinese site now produces bolts 
and nuts as well as moulds and tools, 
although its exposure to the automotive 
sector has created recent challenges.
Kariya: QP Fastening Works began 
overseas business around 1987 by 
supplying its Pias Bis drilling screw to 
a German customer, a relationship that 
continues today. Its bi-metal PIASTA 
screw is now sold worldwide, particularly 
in Europe, and overseas markets account 
for around 60% of total sales.
Taniguchi: Nakaumi Industries, founded 
in 1961, established its Vietnam factory 
in 2017. European anti-dumping duties on 
Chinese threaded rods created a major 
opening for the company, which now 
supplies approximately 20 customers 
across Europe.
Shiba: Kishu Fastener currently 
exports through trading companies 
rather than directly. It withdrew from 
direct US exports around 30 years 
ago when exchange-rate movements 
made the business unprofitable, but 
changes in costs and global conditions 
have encouraged the company 
to begin preparing for a return to 
overseas markets.
Murakami: Nippon Fastener’s business 
is built around cold-heading and cold-
forging wire, hexagon socket head cap 
screws and JFE high-strength bolts. 
Although it does not export directly, 
its socket head cap screws reach 
China and India for use in robotics and 
machine tools.
Takada and Hiraoka: Sunco remains 
primarily focused on Japan but created 
its International Trade Section around 
eight years ago. The section initially 
concentrated on imports and is now 
expanding exports, supported by the 
company’s publications, advertising and 
wider PR activity. Its immediate objective 
is steady customer growth, adding new 
overseas relationships one at a time.
Hashimoto: Unytite’s greatest strength 
is its people. Employees with US and 
Chinese experience, including younger 
staff placed in international roles, have 
created a culture with relatively little 
resistance to overseas business.
Kariya: QP Fastening Works benefits from 
the established reputation of Pias Bis and 
PIASTA. European customers associate 
these brands with premium, dependable 
construction drilling screws.
Summarise your international 
experience and current position...
What gives Japanese companies 
an advantage overseas?
26

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