Introduction

I work in the Corporate Headquarters Operations Department and joined the company in November 2022 as a mid-career hire. In my previous position at a liquor import trading company, I was responsible for import operations, including arranging transportation, preparing food import notifications, and managing inventory. Since our office is located near Yokohama Chinatown, one of my small daily pleasures is exploring delicious lunch spots in the area. Lately, I’ve been hooked on curry rice served at local Chinese restaurants.

What made you decide to join the company?

In the final stages of my job search, I was really torn between SEALS and one other company. There was no significant difference in terms of job type or conditions, but the deciding factor was the ‘originality of the services’ offered by SEALS.
SEALS offers flexible solutions that are not restricted by means of transport or region, but combine engineering, certification consulting and other services, and I decided to join SEALS because I found their services beyond the conventional boundaries of logistics very attractive and with great potential.

Are there any gaps you felt when you joined the company?

Before joining the company, I thought that the use of data and automation in the field of international transport would progress with the evolution of technology, and that the involvement of people would gradually decrease. However, I was surprised to find that there are actually many situations in the field where detailed coordination and interaction with relevant parties is required, and where human judgement and response are indispensable.
I feel that the involvement of people is rather important, especially in project cases, where a flexible response is required according to the situation. Changes to transport routes, adjustments to schedules, communication with local authorities, etc. often do not proceed according to manuals, and there are many situations where on-site decision-making and communication skills are required. Through these experiences, I realise the value of ‘people power’, which cannot be compensated for by technological advances alone.

What is your current job description? (Please also tell us how rewarding that job is)

The Operations Department, to which I belong, focuses on preparing quotations and making transport arrangements for international transport services. I also prepare trade documents (invoices, etc.), but I feel that a higher proportion of my work involves planning from the perspective of “what obstacles exist in transporting goods from A to point B” or “would point C be more suitable instead of B”.
I am currently in charge of an equipment transportation project for China and purchasing and logistics support for the US branch. Each project requires a different response to the needs of each customer, and I am stimulated every day by the “tailor-made” work that involves facing different issues each time.
On the other hand, I find it very rewarding when I am able to make a series of detailed improvements and bring about positive change for the people involved in the work for the US branch office, even though the system is already in place to a certain extent.

What do you value in your work?

In carrying out our work, we try to understand the ‘structure’ as much as possible.
By understanding not only the work in front of me, but also the objectives and overall flow behind the projects I encounter, such as the institutional design of laws and regulations, the structure of the equipment to be transported, and the profitability, I can make more accurate judgments and proposals. I don’t just get answers, I think about what is required of me as a professional on a daily basis, accumulating within myself the thought processes that lead up to those answers.
In addition, from the perspective of improving operational efficiency, I am actively involved in creating a system for internal operations. I am conscious of creating an environment in which work can proceed more smoothly, based on the issues and improvements I perceive in my daily work.

What jobs would you like to do in the future?

In the future, I would like to be involved in the supply chain management of the US branch operations.
Currently, I provide support from Japan in the execution phase, such as purchasing and logistics, but in the future I would like to be involved from the planning phase, such as upstream forecasting and design, in order to gain a perspective that will further improve the quality of our operations.
I would also like to use the trainee system to visit other departments’ sites in order to strengthen internal cooperation. Although I am not of an age to be called young, the SEALS trainee system has no age limit, so I would like to find time between work duties to actively participate and broaden my horizons. By understanding the work of different departments, I hope to bring new perspectives to my own work and be able to make more effective proposals and collaborations.

How do you spend your holidays?

We drink our favourite beer and swim in the public swimming pool. Many of my friends work in restaurants, so we also get together at their restaurants and report on recent events.
In summer, I often relax and swim in the nearby sea.