Q. What has been the highlight of your career to date?
A. 30 years ago, I was assigned to establish and manage a local subsidiary in China. At that time, I had little knowledge of technology or finance, and I felt a great deal of uncertainty. However, the experience of managing in a different cultural environment became the foundation for my understanding of business operations, technology, and collaboration with local partners. From there, I was able to build multiple sites, which I believe laid the groundwork for today’s global business.
Q. Who was (or is) your mentor? And, what is the best piece of advice you received from him/her?
A. My mentor was a former president of the company, Mr. Kyuzo Nakamura. During the period of rapid growth in the Chinese market, he gave me only this advice: “Set up 20 companies in this region. Decide for yourself what to build and where. And do it quickly.” He expected me to design everything from a blank slate and to strengthen my ability to make independent decisions. That lesson remains one of the most valuable in my career.
Q. What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career, and how did you overcome it?
A. In growth markets, business conditions can change suddenly. Facing such uncertainty tested how I would act as a leader. I placed trust in local talent, promoted them into key roles, and worked to develop the supply chain while building structures that could adapt flexibly to each region. This allowed local teams to act with autonomy and, in turn, strengthened the organization as a whole. Through this experience, I learned that “in times of change, the most important role of a leader is to step forward and draw out the strengths of local teams.”
Q. What advice would you give to your younger self?
A. Be bolder in taking on challenges. Don’t worry too much about others’ expectations. When you are young, it is natural to care about evaluations, but you should throw yourself into your work and aim for results without fearing failure. I also believe companies should actively provide opportunities for people in their 30s and 40s to take on challenges on the international stage, helping them gain diverse experiences and build networks.
Q. What hobbies do you participate in outside of work, or what do you do with your free time?
A. I am deeply interested in experiencing technological and social changes firsthand. Since my family lives abroad, I try to visit them on weekends whenever possible, which allows me to directly observe changes in lifestyles and technologies. For example, I enjoy watching how innovations such as smart glasses and autonomous driving are gradually being integrated into society.
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