As work styles continue to diversify, the role of the office is also evolving. Rather than being just a place for tasks, the workplace is increasingly becoming a space where people connect, share culture and values, and build relationships.

At the same time, global interest in Japanese culture has been steadily rising. The spirit of omotenashi embodied in the tea ceremony, and the calm space it creates for dialogue, has been drawing attention even in business settings.

It is in this context that the new tea room, “SEKAI-AN,” has been created within the GP office.

This space is not merely a “Japanese-style decoration.” It is a place where guests are welcomed, culture is shared through experience, and trust is built through heartfelt interaction. This time, we interviewed President Mitsuhata about the concept and design of SEKAI-AN.

Q. Why did you decide to build a tea room in the office?

Mitsuhata:
To put it simply—I’m a history enthusiast. When GP hosted the event PRODUCERS, we invited a tea master for the same reason. Also, pursuing the highest form of hospitality naturally led us here.

Serving tea before starting a meeting is just… cool, isn’t it? It feels iki—refined in a quietly confident way.

We value the idea of taking time and effort for others: boiling water, preparing sweets, offering tea. These gestures matter deeply to us.

Q. What is the meaning behind the name “SEKAI-AN”?

Mitsuhata:
It expresses our wish to welcome guests from all over the world. We didn’t want a name that only insiders would understand—so we chose something simple and open: “SEKAI-AN.”

Q. What was the key point you focused on during the creation process?

Mitsuhata:
Authenticity.
People might expect GP to create a flashy or unconventional tea room—but we intentionally didn’t.

We focused on genuine quality—a space that even seasoned tea masters would recognize as sincere. No gimmicks. No unnecessary flair.

Q. What is the meaning behind the hanging scroll?

Mitsuhata:
The motif is the “ensō” (circle) often seen in Zen temples. The circle is considered the ultimate, simplest form—nothing unnecessary. I personally don’t like excess. (laughs)

But the circle I drew is not perfectly complete. Neither I nor GP are perfect yet—there is softness, fragmentation, and humanity in us. And maybe that’s okay.

I originally intended to write a four-character idiom, but my calligraphy skills weren’t quite there… so I chose something I could express as art.
For reference, my favorite idioms are “Yūzūmuge” (flexibility and freedom) and “Shogyō Mujō” (impermanence).

Q. What do you hope the tea room will bring?

Mitsuhata:
Above all, I hope guests feel genuinely valued.
There are certain manners involved in serving and receiving tea, but guiding guests through that creates a shared experience—which is meaningful in itself.

If it supports GP’s branding or improves the quality of business discussions, that’s a welcome outcome—but those are secondary. What matters most is nurturing the connections we have with all those involved with GP.

I’m still practicing making tea, but when time allows, I would love to serve tea before or after meetings.

Closing

The origins of the tea ceremony lie not in preparing tea itself, but in caring for the guest and building mutual understanding.
For Sen no Rikyū, the tea room was a place where all people—regardless of status—sat at the same height and shared the moment equally.

This quiet dialogue, grounded in respect, is what has allowed the tea ceremony to endure over centuries.

The creation of SEKAI-AN in the GP office is a modern interpretation of this philosophy.
Simple yet refined, it is a space for meaningful conversation and connection.

As a member of GP, I want to value not only efficiency and results, but also the act of taking the time to truly face the person in front of us. Through sharing tea, we hope to create moments that lead to trust, new ideas, and deeper relationships.

We warmly invite you to visit our new tea room, SEKAI-AN, and share a cup of tea with us.