Meet Our New Buyer! A New Force Behind Japan’s Finest Flavours from Japan’s No.1 Department Store “Isetan Mitsukoshi”

Thank you, as always, for your continued support of WASO.
We’re delighted to share some exciting news with you!

We’ve welcomed a new buyer to our team – someone with over 11 years of experience in the food division of Isetan Mitsukoshi, Japan’s largest and most prestigious department store group.
In addition, we’ve recently established a Japan branch, strengthening our connection to the source of authentic Japanese flavours. With this new chapter, we’re committed to delivering an even deeper and wider selection of Japanese delicacies – and recreating the joyful experience of exploring a department store food hall, right here in the UK.

We hope you’re as excited as we are about what’s to come at WASO.

Kota Kudo

With approximately 11 years of experience in the food division of the Isetan Mitsukoshi Group – Japan’s largest and most prestigious department store group – our new buyer has worked at leading department stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area, gaining extensive on-the-ground experience in everything from shop floor management to buying.

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I spent around 11 years working in the food department of the Mitsukoshi Isetan Group, at major department stores in the Tokyo area. From managing shop floors to taking on buyer responsibilities, I’ve had the opportunity to gain wide-ranging, hands-on experience in the industry.

Now, I am grateful for the opportunity to embark on a new challenge with WASO.

What I hope to recreate here in the UK is that same sense of excitement you feel when stepping into a Japanese department store food hall – where every visit feels like a small adventure.

That vision is at the heart of my daily work.

My foundation lies in creating “chosen shop floors” – places that customers genuinely want to visit – by building trust-based relationships with both customers and partners, and drawing on the real, on-the-ground perspective I’ve developed over the years.

At WASO, I am now involved in a wide range of projects:
from curating department store-quality products for our customers, to developing and sourcing exclusive items in collaboration with Japanese trading firms, producers and manufacturers, as well as importing premium Wagyu beef directly to the UK.

From everyday essentials to indulgent treats and special occasion delicacies, I aim to offer a carefully selected range that speaks to what our customers have been longing for.

Looking ahead, I hope to introduce more flavours from long-established shops and culinary artisans across Japan, while also strengthening partnerships with regional small and medium-sized businesses.
There are so many incredible products and techniques in Japan that have yet to reach overseas markets due to limited distribution channels.
I want to become someone who helps bridge that gap –
bringing these hidden gems across the sea to where they’re truly needed.

Regardless of nationality or culture, food has the power to comfort and connect.
To those living far from home, I hope to deliver tastes that warm the heart and offer a sense of belonging.

With sincerity and passion, I look forward to this new chapter.

Please stay tuned for new additions to the WASO range – we can’t wait to share what’s coming next.