Manno Town
Masafumi Imbe

With a passion for creating the highest quality sunflower oil, there is likely no one who surpasses this person. After retiring from over 40 years of service at the town office, he has dedicated his second career to producing “sunflower oil” in collaboration with local farmers. Driven by an unyielding energy and a forward-looking approach, Mr. Imbe’s pursuit of genuine quality has now begun.

It all started with a single seed—until it becomes beautiful golden oil.

Like a giant sunflower blooming in summer, Mr. Imbe is brimming with energy and passion. Once he starts talking about his dedication to sunflower oil, there's no stopping him. His “second life” began in 2016. After retiring from his long-time position at the town office, he was rehired as the Director of the Regional Revitalization Division in the Planning and Tourism Department. How could he help invigorate the town moving forward? For Mr.Imbe, there was only one answer: “With sunflower oil this delicious and nutritious, it’d be a waste not to make use of it.” For over 30 years, farmers in Manno Town have been pressing oil from sunflowers they grew themselves and selling it at places like roadside stations. However, the aging of the farming population has become a challenge.
“From now on, I decided to take up the farmers’ efforts and have the town take the lead in this initiative,” he said, determined to set things in motion.
How is this beautifully clear, yellow oil created? Although the process of roasting the seeds, pressing them, and bottling the oil may seem simple, there is an impressive level of dedication hidden within each step. First, sunflower seeds, grown without pesticides from planting to harvest, are carefully roasted and then pressed using a low-temperature extraction method to ensure a slow, gentle release of the oil. Only the first-press oil is filtered over time, with impurities painstakingly removed to the greatest extent possible. No preservatives or additives are used at any stage of production, a testament to the time and effort invested. Tasting it, the difference from ordinary cooking oils was immediately clear.
In 2021, in collaboration with the town, the “Sunflower Manno General Incorporated Association” was established. With a renewed focus on product development using sunflower seeds, they have continued to expand their range, adding items such as soap and shochu.
“If I’m going to do this, I want to create something authentic. I don’t want it to be half-hearted. Even if the town were to face the threat of extinction, I’d rather take bold action than sit back and let it happen. I always believe that the best defense is a strong offense,” he says.

Interviewed in October, 2024
Writer : Atsumi Nakazato / Photographer : Eri Tokura