Staff writer

OSAKA -- People usually don't pay much attention to the toothbrushes they use everyday. But Kiyoshi Sano, 65, president of Taihei Group, puts every effort into each brush.

Taihei Group, which has been making toothbrushes since 1927, now has the largest share of products known as interdental toothbrushes despite high competition in the market. The company now has 40 employees and 2 billion yen in annual turnover. The brushes are designed to clean between the teeth.