2017 is the Year of the Rooster. Will the world’s fastest and largest bird, an ostrich, be inaugurated as the new president!? However, the one who appeared at the inauguration ceremony was indeed a “Dachou” (ostrich), but of a different kind…
Happy New Year! This is Sunny-chan from Public Relations. We look forward to working with you again this year.
Now, our first day of work began with a group-wide morning assembly.
President Tsugihara reflecting on the latter half of 2016 and sharing her resolutions for 2017.
At this point, CSO Nakayama, acting as the master of ceremonies, began a retrospective of the past two years’ New Year events. Yes, SUNNY SIDE UP has a tradition that has become a New Year’s staple!
Nakayama: “Now, do you all remember the annual New Year’s morning assemblies we started in 2015, where we invited animals representing the zodiac sign of the year? In 2015, we began the work year under a new structure by welcoming Mr. Alberto von Lambchop as our new president. Unfortunately, he was dismissed on the same day after he was caught devouring important documents. (Details here)
Undeterred, in 2016, we planned an internship system that staked the company’s future. With an eye on growth a year later, we hired 14 ‘chicks’ as long-term interns. However, they quit prematurely because of the chicken nuggets served at lunch. (Details here)”
Nakayama: “It has been a disastrous two years, but this year will be fine! He won’t eat paper! He isn’t the type to run away over something like chicken nuggets! This year, we have finally welcomed a new president to whom we can confidently entrust the company! Now, please welcome the President!”
Who exactly is the new president being inaugurated in the Year of the Rooster!? Amidst rising expectations, look who appeared!
“Happy New Year, everyone! Yaah!”
Nakayama: “Since this is the Year of the Rooster, we have invited Dachou Club, named after the ostrich—the fastest and largest of all birds!”
(Employees) !!!!??
The comedy trio Dachou Club makes their entrance!!!!
The employees, who had fully expected an actual animal to appear, erupted in cheers at this surprise. Upon spotting former President Tsugihara, they greeted her with their signature gag, “Monsieur Muramura.”
Mr. Higo said, “Now that I’ve been inaugurated as the new president, I have to change many things. Since it’s the Year of the Rooster, Mr. Ueshima, please say something that will truly resonate with everyone!” As Mr. Ueshima began his greeting… “Oden” suddenly appeared on stage!
While saying, “I’m still in the middle of my speech!” the three began their classic routine of arguing over who would eat it.
Mr. Ueshima refused, saying, “I’m the president now, right?! I’m definitely not doing it.”
Mr. Higo said, “You’re the president, so you should do it. You won’t? Fine, then I’ll do it.”
Mr. Terakado added, “No, no, I’ll do it.”
An employee also joined in: “In that case, I’ll do it.”
Mr. Ueshima: “…Fine, I’ll do it.”
Mr. Higo, Mr. Terakado (& the employee): “Please, go ahead!”
It seems he has already closed the distance with the employees!
After eating the hot oden, Mr. Ueshima shouted, “Why am I doing this when I’m the president? A SUNNY SIDE UP employee should eat it!” and CSO Nakayama became the next target!?
Mr. Ueshima: “Anyway, for things like this, it’s no good unless the employees join the president.”
Mr. Higo: “Then I’ll do it.”
Mr. Terakado: “No, I’ll do it.”
Mr. Ueshima: “I’ll do it.”
Having been set up by the three of them, CSO Nakayama braced himself.
Nakayama: “…Fine, I’ll do it.”
The trio: “Please, go ahead!”
Held down by Mr. Terakado and Mr. Ueshima, CSO Nakayama ate the piping hot oden. What was supposed to be a company-wide morning assembly for the inauguration of a new president was rapidly heading in a different direction… (sweat)
And then, it was former President Tsugihara’s turn…
Mr. Higo grabbed a giant piece of piping hot konnyaku..
Even the formidable Tsugihara was visibly hesitant. The employees watched on with concern!
(Splash!!)
Or so we thought, but the oden hit Mr. Ueshima, who was standing behind former President Tsugihara! Everyone burst into laughter!
It must have been incredibly hot; the new President Ueshima, angry and demanding to know what was going on so soon after his inauguration, approached former President Tsugihara for a “kiss.”
Although it ended in failure when Mr. Higo stopped him, the office was filled with excitement!
Finally, the still-fuming new President Ueshima threw a tantrum, stomping his feet, which prompted everyone to jump in unison.
The New Year’s company-wide morning assembly, which doubled as the new president’s inauguration ceremony, concluded amidst waves of laughter.
Dachou Club succeeded in bonding with the employees from their very first day. The SUNNY SIDE UP year, which comes once every 12 years, has gotten off to a very promising start!
However, when we went to greet the new president again, he said, “Starting with former President Tsugihara, this is such a bright and energetic company that there’s no room for us to intervene. We’ve received great energy from SUNNY SIDE UP. That’s enough for us!” and promptly announced his resignation!
Incredibly, the new presidency once again lasted less than a day, ending with the new president stepping down. Following this, an extraordinary meeting was held, and it was decided that Etsuko Tsugihara would continue to serve as the Representative Director and President.
To the members of Dachou Club, thank you very much for joining in SUNNY SIDE UP’s “fun commotion”!
And to everyone, we apologize for the disturbance so early in the year. This is the kind of company SUNNY SIDE UP is, and we will continue to create more “fun commotions” throughout the year! We look forward to your continued support this year!
