On the Occasion of FM Karuizawa’s 25th Anniversary

It’s Normal Not to Know
On August 1, 2026, FM Karuizawa celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Over the course of its 25-year history, I have served as president for about four years.
4 years out of 25.
In other words, I have no firsthand knowledge of the 21 years out of the 25 that preceded my appointment as president.
Of course, I am aware of the events that took place and the financial trajectory the station has followed.
However, I do not truly understand the dramas and emotions that unfolded during that time.

So, taking this opportunity to write this article, I asked those who know the 21 years I have not experienced firsthand.
“What were the 25 years of FM Karuizawa like?”
“Most of the time was tough, but there were plenty of fun moments too,”
said a staff member who has been involved in broadcasting since the station’s inception.
“Has the station’s performance really improved that much in the last few years?”
A former executive who stepped down a few years ago expressed surprise.
“By sponsoring programs on FM Karuizawa, our company’s value also increases,” said a sponsor we recently began working with.

It made me realize once again that FM Karuizawa’s “present” did not come about overnight.
There were many “NAKAMA” who faced various difficulties, wrestled with challenges, searched for solutions, and still forged ahead, dedicating themselves to FM Karuizawa. It is only because of their cumulative efforts that we are where we are today.

A 25-Year Journey
FM Karuizawa, which began as a radio station in the Karuizawa area, certainly did not have a smooth 25-year journey.
In 2013, our encounter with Oak Capital, the predecessor of UOH, marked a turning point.
We’ve ventured into a variety of businesses beyond radio broadcasting, including ticket sales, free newspapers, and music and sports events.
With the support of our parent company, we persevered, took on challenges, and continued to explore new paths—and that is how FM Karuizawa has become what it is today.

I assumed the position of CEO in 2023.
My goal was to transform FM Karuizawa—which had been operating at a loss when I took office—into a sound company capable of sustainable growth. To achieve this, my first priority was to improve profitability and return the company to the black.
“When it comes to projects, we shouldn’t just aim for sales revenue. The ratio of man-hours to gross profit is what matters!”
I still remember those days—repeating those words like a mantra and having countless discussions with the staff—as if they were yesterday.

On to the next, and the next
FM Karuizawa has achieved growth in both revenue and profits for three consecutive years, ending each year in the black, closer to reaching the goals we set.
And now, we have something in the works.
Once that plan takes shape, there’s another plan I want to pursue.
And then the next, and the one after that.
It is an “impulse” born from 25 years of accumulated experience, and it is also the “heartbeat” of the next 25 years that are about to begin.

I would like to say this to everyone who has been involved with FM Karuizawa up to this point:
“We will definitely carry the legacy of FM Karuizawa, built over the past 25 years, into the future!”
I don’t know everything about these past 25 years.
Precisely because I don’t know everything, I listen to the words of those who have been here all along. And I will nurture what we’ve inherited, add new value to it, and eventually pass it on to the next generation.
I believe that is my role as the current representative.

A new “year—or 25 years”—for FM Karuizawa has already begun.

Karuizawa FM Broadcasting Co., Ltd.
Kentaro Suzuki, Representative Director