A general trading company gives you the opportunity to quickly gain experience in the three domains of sales, investment and management

At university, I majored in finance and so I had many friends who wanted to work in financial services industry or the increasingly specialized investment and strategic consulting arenas. However, rather than becoming a specialist in sales, investment or strategy, I wanted to gain all-round experience of business in general and develop the ability to get things done myself. If I wanted to quickly get to grips with the three domains of sales, investment and management, a general trading company was perfect. I felt that, compared with other general trading companies, ITOCHU values individual strength and has a corporate culture which fosters free thinking. In fact, at meetings, I was asked to comment from the time I joined the company and employees are allowed to implement projects, regardless of seniority, provided the underlying idea or strategy is sound. It is a very rewarding company to work for.

Whilst no job is completed entirely by one person, all jobs usually originate from a comment made or action taken by an individual.

When I supported the launch of bike insurance in Vietnam, I had a real sense of personal growth. The only Japanese member of staff in Vietnam was me. I racked my brains to identify and realize new business opportunities in this situation and through much trial and effort succeeded in producing results. At a trading company, no job is completed by one person alone and everything is done as a team or in collaboration with partners. However, in Vietnam, I learned that it is always comments by individuals themselves that lead to the creation of business opportunities and action for their realization. Since then, I have been watching to see whether there are any business opportunities anywhere and trying not to miss out on such opportunities. And independently taking on new challenges makes me more motivated to work.

Creating the business framework ourselves, without being bound by preconditions

I have gained experience of working in sales, investment and business management, as I hoped I would when I joined the company. What I have learned from on-the-job experience is that the conditions on which existing business is based, such as face-to-face customers, markets in general, business schemes and products are past their expiry date. It is therefore essential going forward to build teams which will pursue meaningful new business creation and business expansion at every level including persons in charge of on-site operations. We have to produce results by creating the framework ourselves, without being bound by the existing framework. We are shifting from an age when "it would be better if we could" to an age when "we won't survive unless we can" and I want us to forge ahead without hesitating.