At IB, our mission is to “Make the World borderless with Beer.”
We are a global craft beer company operating out of Japan and Cambodia. We believe that beer holds the potential to bridge racial, cultural, and economic divides, serving as a catalyst to connect the world. Through our house-brewed craft beers made with local ingredients, we strive to provide not just a product, but a “third place”—a welcoming space that feels as comfortable as a living room for every guest.
Allow me to share a little about the formative experience that led me to this path.
I left my job to traverse the African continent alone. When you hear “Africa,” what images come to mind? Some may imagine the vast savannah and wildlife; others might think of poverty, hunger, or political corruption. During my travels, I witnessed both extremes. I was awestruck by the vibrant energy of cities lined with modern skyscrapers, yet I also found myself involved in a violent taxi robbery that left me injured. At that moment, I genuinely thought, “I never want to come back to this country again.”
And yet, looking back, I strangely found myself thinking, “I want to return.” At the root of that feeling was my encounter with craft beer.
No matter where I traveled, local craft beer was always there. In every country—whether at street stalls, bustling markets, or tiny bars in the corner of town—locals were talking and laughing with beers in hand. As a traveler, I was able to dissolve naturally into these scenes of foreign daily life.
Unlike wine or whiskey, which often carry hierarchies based on price or vintage, beer is accessible to everyone. It allows people to connect with a single “Cheers,” regardless of social standing or economic disparity. Even without a shared language, if you have a smile and a toast, no conversation is needed. Through the many memories born this way, I felt that beer is a common language that transcends nationality, culture, and background.
Even in Japan, complex layers of educational, income, and cultural backgrounds can create invisible walls between us. I believe that, at the very least, a place where we drink should be a world without these divisions. Upon finishing my journey and returning to Japan, I made a resolve: “I will make it my life’s work to connect the world through beer.”
Since then, standing behind the counter and facing customers directly, I have witnessed countless “moments of connection.” Regardless of nationality or culture, conversation sparks naturally over a beer. Strangers laugh together, share a toast, and sometimes even go sightseeing together the next day. This scenery has become our everyday life.
Beer is not just a drink. I truly believe it is “culture” itself—something that binds people, enriches our towns, and etches deep memories. I want to continue brewing beer with my own hands that creates these connections all over the world.
