1. Tell me about your background and career thus far and your current job.
When I was in university, I was enrolled in the faculty of law and it was my goal to become a part of the law circle. Unfortunately this did not work out, and when I was searching for a job I was given the opportunity to join Sekisui Material Solutions Co., Ltd. I worked in sales and only sales since joining the company. In Japan, I was in charge of resin material products in the Specialty Chemicals Division (S-LEC B/K). At that time I had no knowledge in chemistry so I studied fervently every day. There was a lot of overtime but I always felt the work was rewarding. After this, I was transferred to Sekisui Chemical and at the same time was relocated to the United States as an expatriate in the Special Chemicals Division in the North, Central and South America regions. I was able to make my lifetime dream of living overseas come true. Living in a multinational society had a substantial impact on my own sense of values. After returning to Japan, I was transferred to the Development & Planning Department at the Research & Development Institute and was in charge of the field of mobility as a marketing manager. Starting last year, I was given a concurrent position as head of the Innovation Promotion Group and a member of the mobility group. The Research & Development Institute is implementing ideas, in addition to accelerating the promotion of innovation at Sekisui Chemical.
2. What technological innovation do you feel is the most amazing thus far?
Innovation is defined as the “action of transforming society.” In that respect, I found people that changed Japan and the world, very interesting. In particular, in the same manner, I respect Konosuke Matsushita as a Japanese executive. Not only did he introduce various breakthrough products to the world, his management skills were fantastic, as they built the foundation for Japanese-style management. Matsushita Electric Industrial (current-day Panasonic), which was made fun as being a copy-cat, was not a spectacular company that churned out product. What is interesting about the company is its market-in approach to identify market issues and its process innovation to solve these issues. Instead of simply imitating others, management provided guidance by advocating the mission of the company and employees, and clearly presenting the company’s vision. Furthermore, I think it is great how awareness was placed on “people,” mainly management, as it saw employees and customers as “people.” Ultimately, society is a group of “people.” I believe that “people” can also bring about change. I want to believe that a “good” company, which is a group of “good” people, will bring about “good” changes for society.
3. Discuss the challenges you are undertaking to achieve innovation.
As long as "people" are at the heart of innovation, I think my job is find an approach to "link people together." In that sense, I really know all the people I have ties with, and am thinking what I can do for these people. For instance, we plan events, including Christmas parties, to create opportunities for employees to get to know one another, and also plan seminars by inviting people from outside the company. We are thinking about measures to improve internal relationships while cooperating with the HR Department. We ask ourselves how to make the company fun for employees if then attend, and how to make them feel that work is fun. Can we get employees to view work, not as something they have to do every day, but as something they want to do? I believe this is an important element for producing innovations. In light of this, I believe this should not be viewed as Give and Take. I think we should start by giving first. We should not expect a reward, or think about the results first. We should build good times first. Efficiency is also important but I want to create an organization that does not emphasize efficiency.
4. What is your on off switch?
Until I lived in the United States, I thought it was natural to sacrifice one’s family for the sake of work. My sense of values changed substantially while I was stationed in North America. I felt strongly that as long as my family was healthy, I could be myself. In light of this, it is important that I spend time with my family, particularly on the weekend. In addition, the previous president who treated me well taught me that “it is too late to start looking for a hobby after your turn sixty.” He told me to find one indoor and one outdoor hobby while I was in my 40s. He said that after doing it for 20 years, the number of friends with the same interest would increase by the time I retired, and I would gained a certain degree of skill in the hobby I chose. These left a strong impression on me. My outdoor hobbies are golf and tennis. I am currently trying to find an indoor hobby.
