EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW
Profile
Born in Tokushima Prefecture, Sumi Tetsuya has operated an online business for nearly ten years, selling organic foods and other specialty products. Through that business, he became acquainted with a renowned butcher whose craft he deeply admired, which inspired him to open the steakhouse Passion for Grilling Lamp. He later launched Terrace Cafe Lamp and the gelato shop GELATO MONSTER. In addition, he co-operates a fried chicken specialty shop and a company that manufactures and sells processed foods.【Website】
徳島の人気ステーキハウス、Passion for Grilling Lamp（パッションフォーグTokushima’s Popular Steakhouse and Café Operator
Tetsuya Sumi, President & CEO of Ai Corporation, runs the well-known Tokushima steakhouse Passion for Grilling Lamp. Moved by the exceptional quality of the meat he encountered through his previous online business, he stepped into the restaurant industry with a strong desire to bring these rare cuts to local customers. Today, in response to customer demand, he has also opened a café and a gelato shop.
Baseball commentator Tsutomu Kameyama interviews Sumi to explore his passion and drive for new challenges.
Managing a Steakhouse and Café in Tokushima
Interviewer: Tsutomu Kameyama (Baseball Commentator)
Kameyama: Today, I’m speaking with President Sumi of Ai Corporation, which operates a steakhouse, café, and gelato shop in Tokushima. Did you originally work in the food industry?
Sumi: No, not at first. I launched a web-based business and ran it for about ten years, selling organic foods and other items. Although it was related to food, I had no direct interaction with customers. I wanted to work directly with people, so I decided to open Passion for Grilling Lamp, our steakhouse.
Kameyama: I see. What made you choose a steakhouse?
Sumi: Through my online business, I met a famous butcher and fell in love with the meat he handled. I wanted people in Tokushima to experience that exceptional quality. That passion was my motivation.
Kameyama: That’s wonderful. How have customers responded?
Sumi: Thankfully, the response has been fantastic. Many customers requested a lunch option, so we opened Terrace Cafe Lamp, and in 2023 we launched GELATO MONSTER. We also co-manage a fried chicken specialty shop and a processed food company.
Offering the Best Food with Carefully Selected Ingredients and Tools
Kameyama: What is the meaning behind the company name “Ai”?
Sumi: “Ai” means the color indigo—many people associate it with the sea or sky. Like water or air, which we often take for granted but are essential, I wanted our restaurants to become that kind of presence in the community.
Kameyama: So your theme is to become an indispensable and beloved place for the locals. What makes your steakhouse unique?
Sumi: We focus on high-quality meats such as aged wagyu and Kamiyama chicken. As I mentioned, we source from a butcher featured on television—meat so rare it can only be purchased with the owner’s approval. Customers can enjoy that special quality at our restaurant.
Kameyama: What is the meaning behind the company name “Ai”?
Sumi: “Ai” means the color indigo—many people associate it with the sea or sky. Like water or air, which we often take for granted but are essential, I wanted our restaurants to become that kind of presence in the community.
Kameyama: So your theme is to become an indispensable and beloved place for the locals. What makes your steakhouse unique?
Sumi: We focus on high-quality meats such as aged wagyu and Kamiyama chicken. As I mentioned, we source from a butcher featured on television—meat so rare it can only be purchased with the owner’s approval. Customers can enjoy that special quality at our restaurant.
Kameyama: Your ability to create and develop concepts is impressive.
Sumi: Thank you. New encounters—people and products—open new worlds for me. And none of this would be possible without my staff. They support everything, and I’m grateful.
Kameyama: The restaurant business does depend on dedicated staff.
Sumi: Absolutely. I also want my staff to pursue what they enjoy, so they’re free to create new dishes. We taste their prototypes together, and if everyone loves them, they become part of the menu.
Kameyama: That must be motivating for them. Your turnover rate must be low.
Sumi: I’m very grateful—most of our staff stay with us for a long time!
Expanding Through Joint Ventures with Local Restaurateurs
Kameyama: The pandemic must have been challenging. How did you cope?
Sumi: It was extremely tough. It felt like going out to eat became something to avoid, and the streets were empty. We knew we couldn’t overcome the situation by doing nothing, so we began discussing ideas with other local restaurateurs.
Kameyama: Collaborating with potential competitors—how inspiring.
Sumi: After many discussions, we realized that since we had talented chefs together, we should take on new challenges using Tokushima ingredients. That led to the launch of Awa Bottle LLC, which manufactures and sells processed foods, and TRICARATOPS, a kitchen-car specializing in fried chicken.
Kameyama: What kind of products does Awa Bottle sell?
Sumi: Items like Awa Black Beef shigureni and Tokushima sardine & Japanese-style anchovy made with local rakkyo. They’re available on our official website. TRICARATOPS attends events and is very popular everywhere it goes.
Kameyama: So your “Sumi Method” of turning adversity into opportunity paid off.
Sumi: Thanks entirely to my colleagues. The bonds we formed during the pandemic are priceless.
Kameyama: What are your goals moving forward?
Sumi: To continue growing our steakhouse, café, and gelato shop so more people can enjoy them. Recently, our café has been attracting customers from high school students to people in their 70s.
Kameyama: Your businesses really are becoming the “water and air” of Tokushima.
Sumi: And on weekends, I also coach youth baseball—so I’m working hard as both a restaurateur and a coach!
Kameyama: You’re constantly inspired by new people and experiences, and you channel that inspiration into something your customers love. I look forward to seeing your continued success!
What It Means to “Enjoy Your Work”
It means doing what you love and what interests you. I always try to embrace new things, and that makes every day fulfilling.
— Tetsuya Sumi
:: Company Overview ::
| ■ Company Name | Ai Corporation |
| ■ Head Office | 2-2-14 Sako, Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture 770-0022 |
| ■ Passion for Grilling Lamp | 1-35 Takajomachi, Tokushima City, 770-0922 JAPAN BLUE Bldg. 2F |
| ■Business Activities | Restaurant management |
| ■ Established | April 2012 |
| ■ Employees | 11 |
| ■ Main Business Partners | Sakaeya Co., Ltd. / Fujioka Farm |
| ■ Websites | https://japanblue.net/ https://lamp-tokushima.owst.jp/ |