Color the world with the power of your voice! Aiming for a world where voice training is commonplace [Iroful Co., Ltd.]

Our business is broadly divided into two areas.

The first area is the voicetraining business I personally offer. This includes not only singing voicetraining but also speaking voicetraining services. Our clients range from those who want to improve their singing or speaking skills to surprisingly many who lack confidence in their voice. We also support men in matchmaking activities to confidently interact with women.

The second area is operating a platform called “Voicetraining Lab” that matches voice trainers with those who want to receive voicetraining.

I considered moving away from music several times due to various changes, such as going abroad and the COVID-19 pandemic. As a singer, I was often told to create “hit songs” and had to perform music I didn’t like, which almost made me dislike music.

There were regular moments when I thought about leaving music, but I always found myself returning to it. Living abroad during the pandemic, I realized I could teach online, leading me to start the online voicetraining matching service (Voicetraining Lab).

Initially, I had no intention of incorporating the service, but I decided to establish Iroful Corporation to take responsibility and nurture my business. My vision is to make “voicetraining” as commonplace as yoga or gym sessions. Incorporating voicetraining into daily routines can not only boost spirits but also contribute to beauty and weight loss. Through these efforts, I aim to elevate the standard of voicetraining.

The most moving moment for me is witnessing the growth of my students! In running my business, I prioritize offering personalized lessons to each individual. Students often come with their own complexities. By tailoring my approach to each one, they gradually develop. It’s incredibly rewarding to attend their performances and see them shine on stage. I feel truly happy when I think I have helped them in their journey.

Thank you. Since everyone has different issues and challenges, tailored lessons lead to improvement in each student.

I’ve conducted a total of 10,000 lessons so far. This experience allows me to provide the best-suited lessons for each student who comes to me.

Yes, indeed. I wasn’t particularly good at singing, so I believe that’s what makes me a good teacher. People who are naturally good often don’t struggle as much from the beginning. But those who have worked hard to improve can better understand and approach their students when they become teachers. It’s different from admiring a teacher and wanting to emulate them. Being a good teacher isn’t just about singing well; it’s about understanding and effectively teaching students.

I believe that mental care is as important as vocal training methods. That’s why I devote time to mental care. When I worked with an idol agency, I often had to address their day-to-day concerns.

Exactly. It’s not just about the voice in things like marriage hunting. Everything is interconnected, leading to confidence and a calm demeanor. In singing too, it’s crucial to boost motivation and eliminate anxieties. Mental state greatly affects the voice; tension can make it hard to speak. Thus, a voice trainer acts like a counselor, supporting not just the voice but also the mental aspects. I find great fulfillment in this role.

When everything wasn’t going well, and I was at a loss, I decided to go to Cambodia on a friend’s recommendation. Learning Khmer, the language spoken in Cambodia, was quite challenging.

Yes. I sang in Khmer and Japanese. Even though the locals didn’t understand the Japanese songs, they really enjoyed them. This experience made me realize again that music transcends language barriers.

After returning from abroad, I started my business without knowing what to do or whom to ask. Having spent three years in Cambodia, I had no network in Japan, feeling like Urashima Taro.

I had no doubts. I didn’t wait to prepare everything before starting; I just decided to start a business when I returned to Japan. I think I like putting myself in challenging situations. It’s important to create circumstances where you have no choice but to act.

I think it’s okay to start and then make adjustments along the way. I’m not the type to overthink, so I just go ahead (laughs). Even if I fall off the metaphorical bridge, I might find a beautiful landscape below, maybe blooming with lovely flowers.

When you dive in, you’ll face challenges, but I believe they’re always surmountable. Also, I don’t really view difficulties as hardships. Looking back, there were tough times, but I didn’t perceive them as such and enjoyed the process. Those experiences helped me grow.

It’s probably due to my father’s influence. He started a sign-making business at the age of 21 and has been running it for nearly 50 years. I rarely saw him being negative. Despite the difficulties over the years, he always accepted tasks with a “yes” and “gladly.” Watching him influenced me to adopt a ‘let’s just try it’ attitude.

Seeing my father’s approach ingrained the ‘let’s just try it’ mentality in me, so I didn’t particularly study self-help books or anything.

My motivation lies in directly interacting with people and bringing out their unseen qualities. Seeing people enrich their lives is the most enjoyable aspect for me. I feel fortunate to help make the lives of those who encounter me more abundant.

I have two main visions. The first is the development of Voice Training Lab. I want to increase its users and make voice training a service that people can easily access in their daily lives. I’m experimenting to make more people interested in it. The second is enriching the lives of people in Cambodia. I want to deliver goods that will enable them to live more abundantly. Realizing this alone may be challenging, so I hope to collaborate with those who share this vision.

Currently, we are delivering absorbent period underwear. While these have become common in Japan in the past 2-3 years, they are virtually unknown in Cambodia. During my stay, I realized the country’s poor hygiene standards, high cost of menstrual products, and lack of good options. My goal is to make their monthly periods more comfortable. As the product is still unknown in Cambodia, I believe it’s important to spread awareness of its convenience.

We are collaborating with marketing companies in Cambodia. Despite cultural and perceptual differences, I hope that the necessity of our product will be understood and appreciated.