Because trading companies do not manufacture goods themselves, they have infinite possibilities

I didn't know exactly what kind of business a trading company does but I had the vague impression that it is a company which can handle all kinds of products. I felt that, instead of developing and manufacturing products itself, a trading company which brings high quality products from all over the world into Japan and makes Japanese goods available to the rest of the world has high potential. I was also attracted by the fact that for trading companies, which are not involved in manufacturing themselves, "people are the products." I felt a real sense of affinity with the company.

Pushing ahead with business, believing I'm the only one who get the job done

The important thing is to get the job done in any event. I tackle work, believing that "if I can get this done, I cam move onto the next phase, so I have to do it." When I was involved in establishing a distributor for a Japanese automaker in Mongolia, I implemented the project in collaboration with local staff, putting my ideas into action and implementing measures to address any problems. I encountered some major difficulties along the way but flexibly implemented a PDCA cycle to realize new initiatives and I found the whole experience hugely rewarding. My work involves a great deal of negotiation and I always have a sense of responsibility, but the same goes for the other party in the negotiations. Precisely because negotiations are give and take between the parties, I try not to focus on my demands and to identify the points both sides agree on.

To catch up with those I respect and lead projects

Thus far, I have developed by skills by watching my superiors. I have watched bosses and superiors who I respect to see how they approach jobs, to learn how they think and make decisions and deal with others in the company and business partners, and to figure out what I need to do to be more like them. Going forward, I want to use what I've learned to become a business person capable of leading and implementing projects by myself. ITOCHU employs a wide variety of people. ITOCHU employs a wide variety of people. People who immediately get on well with customers, people who analyze things carefully, and people who can speak minor languages which hardly anyone knows. The fact that everyone has different areas of expertise, making it easy to find someone you respect is another one of ITOCHU's strengths.