Anna Otake sees life for what it truly is—absurd, ridiculous, and full of moments that make you laugh, whether you want to or not. And instead of fighting that reality, she leans into it.

Under Otake, CEO since 2007, Koito has been riding the LED boom, and since the global recession of 2008-09, the company has delivered seven consecutive years of steadily brighter revenues and profits.

Otake Ryoho creates meticulously detailed wood sculptures modeled on the shapes of natural motifs such as animals and plants. He talks about his work, including a carving of a flower that "blooms." ...