Heading off to Australia on a working holiday, Mr. Shibuya was vaguely curious about living overseas. When he joined Tajima Industries and began his job in corporate planning, he was excited about the completely unfamiliar work. His current job involves analyzing and making changes to the Tajima Group’s present status. His proactive motto about the challenge of doing “something no one’s ever done before” is clear and powerful.
Path to Company Employee Via Living Overseas
After graduating from high school, Mr. Shibuya worked in Australia on a working holiday visa. He returned to Japan at the age of 20 and, through a friend’s introduction, got a job at a company in the automotive field. Seeking work where he could make use of his English skills, he later secures a job with Tajima Industries. Initially assigned to the Overseas Sales Department, where he was in charge of the company’s Asia and the U.S. regions, Mr. Shibuya handled communications to overseas distributors and other tasks. In 2020, he was transferred to the Corporate Planning Office, a new section established to manage “Project One Tajima” (POT), a project designed to improve business operations. Recalls Mr. Shibuya, “I’m the type of person who likes to think about various different things, so I was excited when I heard about the transfer.”
One of a small number of select individuals, he is responsible for demonstrating the company’s overall direction, a job that includes designing and implementing business plans and strategies and analyzing the business.
Moving Forward with Clear Goals
Mr. Shibuya’s attention is focused on promoting operations that are aligned with the goals set by the company. For example, he works on determining what the Tajima Group’s plans should be and the implementation of those plans to realize the Group’s stated goal of becoming the world’s No. 1 embroidery company. He finds it rewarding to consider the process and implement measures.
His efforts are particularly focused on developing new ways to structure company operations with the Group’s future in mind. Says Shibuya, “We asked how the group as a whole has generated profits, and in cases where generating profits has proven difficult, what those causes are. To understand these issues, we visualized data collected from each group company.” Active discussions within the company have now begun, based on the visualized data.
Working to Create Pivot Points
The series of initiatives promoted by the Corporate Planning Office is something that the Tajima Group has never undertaken before. This challenge is precisely why it’s worth pursuing, Shibuya says. It may take time, but it is definitely creating the kind of change that powers a company. Speaking enthusiastically, he says, “I want to be closely involved with and support all departments within the company. Although the term ‘support’ might evoke thoughts of assistance from behind, it goes beyond that; it’s also crucial to stand in front and lead. I believe there’s a lot that needs to be done.” With this mindset of “change,” Mr. Shibuya is taking the necessary steps to support the company, and he is committed to continuing this challenge.
Corporate Division | Ikuto Shibuya
Born in 1993
Joined Tajima Industries Ltd. in 2018.
Following his post handling the Asia and U.S. regions for the Overseas Sales Department, he was transferred to the newly established Corporate Planning Office and charged with launching the business improvement project “Project One Tajima” (POT).
His widely ranging tasks include designing and implementing business plans and strategies and analyzing the business.
