From prosthetic leg maker to shoe salesperson Using medical knowledge to extend healthy life expectancy from feet Keio Department Store Naoko Ogawa

It used to be said that people lived to be 60 years old, but now we are entering an era of 100 years. Looking around the city, the number of energetic seniors has increased. However, it seems that the strength of the legs and lower back is directly linked to life expectancy as one ages. It's not just for the elderly, but it's a little difficult to walk, but I fell in love with the design at first sight and bought it, but I ended up not wearing it at all. It's depressing... isn't there something to be said for that? Ms. Naoko Ogawa, who works at the women's shoes section of the Keio Department Store in Shinjuku, has a unique background in designing, developing, and manufacturing prosthetic legs for about 16 years. Mr. Ogawa said that he felt the future in "selling shoes" where it is necessary to consider both design and function. [Image] Prosthesis production to shoe salesperson Using medical knowledge to extend healthy life expectancy from feet Keio Department Store Naoko Ogawa

―How did you go from architectural design to making prosthetic legs and then selling shoes?

Ms. Naoko Ogawa (hereafter, Ogawa): My first equipment design job was slumped by two companies in quick succession, and I thought that my knowledge of design would be useful in the production of prosthetic arms and legs, so I went to the medical industry. The prosthesis and orthotics manufacturing company that I joined was full of originality. However, this company also changed management due to profit issues, and although I was very worried, I decided to leave the medical industry.

―I think the medical industry is more stable in terms of income and industry.

Ogawa: I thought about working in the nursing care industry, but I wanted a job where I could make use of the knowledge I had accumulated. The sales job was an unknown job, but when I thought about what I could do, I thought, "Shoes are an extension of medical care." Since I was making prosthetic legs, patients have asked me what kind of shoes I should wear. I thought both. Also, for a long time, the company I used to work for had a strong desire to "make the lives of patients better." I thought.

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