Finding My Path as a Professional and a Parent

I have always had a strong interest in working overseas. In high school, my fascination with foreign films and music led me to study abroad in the U.S. Looking back, the dynamic individuals I met abroad modeled the freedom and positivity that first inspired my own journey to discovering an authentic way of life. In university, I had the opportunity do a one-year hotel hospitality internship at an industrial park in Taiwan. I hoped to build on my work experience through this overseas internship as a way to continue to discover new worlds. In Taiwan, I met many Japanese expats on assignment as I was working in an industrial park housing the factories of overseas companies, and I had the chance to hear about the value and joys of working overseas. In retrospect, I realize these conversations inspired my own desire to work overseas in my career.

Based on my interest in overseas work, I visited manufacturers, think tanks, and multiple general trading companies during my job hunt. I was impressed by the treasure trove of delightful employees I met at general trading companies. Notably, the employees at Sojitz were easy to converse with and treated me like an individual as opposed to a job-hunting student. I felt　the Sojitz employees I met were encouraging and supportive. After receiving an offer from Sojitz, I　began networking with the incoming class of new recruits and was excited by the prospect of working with a group of unique and accomplished peers.

For my first three years after joining the company, I worked in a department supervising subsidiaries overseas. Later, I was assigned to a department creating risk management frameworks for Group companies overseas. My next move was to a business department that handled nuclear fuels. It took some time for me to find my footing after suddenly being placed on the front lines of business without any prior experience.

At times, I felt discouraged by failures or the inability to progress, and there were busy stretches with continued days of overtime. Thankfully, I had the support of my peers and more senior staff. While it took time, I was able to find my own personal business style through a process of repeated trial and error. The more I learned, the more I began to discover interesting facets of the business. I feel grateful for this rewarding job particularly at moments when I reunite with or hear from a customer or partner company with whom I faced setbacks and celebrated victories during this early period of my career.

In the course of my career, I got married and had three children. I continued to work in a business department while simultaneously raising my kids. Each day brought new challenges, and my husband and I worked together to move forward like a pair in a three-legged race. A Paris assignment had been proposed much earlier in my career, but a family tragedy prevented me from taking the opportunity. At the time, I put aside my dreams of an overseas assignment and did not necessarily expect a second chance. However, another opportunity came around. My wish to work overseas was granted, and I relocated to Paris in September 2020. While Sojitz is a company that demands excellence, it is also an inclusive company that generously offers many opportunities.

My job in Paris has been to put into practice Sojitz’s vision to become a “general trading company that constantly cultivates new businesses and human capital.” In addition to pursuing nuclear power projects between Japan and France, I　gather information on France and greater Europe and create new business through collaborations across multiple business departments and regions. For example, last year I participated in the Hassojitz Project*¹ as the first overseas participant. My proposal entailed a plan to improve public toilets in Paris with a tech-based concept. Being based in Paris, I had to communicate with my Hassojitz Project team members in Tokyo remotely and navigate an eight-hour time difference between Japan and France. My fellow team members were gracious and flexible as is characteristic of trading company employees, and I never felt the time difference to be an impediment. Everyone was intent on moving the project forward, and I personally found it to be a highly rewarding experience.

At the Paris office, I hold a managerial position. The majority of my coworkers are European, and I am in the cultural minority. In this work environment, I aim to act with gratitude, respect, and with good manners to positively represent Japan. Individuals hold different perspectives and cultural backgrounds even within the same company. At times communication can be challenging, and at times, it is joyful and fun. I try to bring a heightened sense of awareness to each discussion. Sometimes my words are interpreted in unexpected ways, or I receive eye-opening advice. Each exchange gives me a new opportunity to think and then grow from the experience.

Separate from work duties, the ongoing demands of motherhood require my constant attention. For each of my three children, there is school-related correspondence, academic and career path-related decision making, and countless other issues to address. Despite these challenges, this experience has been a wonderful opportunity for me and my children to improve our French and learn more about French customs and culture. I am enjoying my time on assignment in Paris while working hard to balance both work and childcare.

*1: Hassojitz Project details: Human Resource Management｜Sojitz ESG BOOK｜Sustainability｜Sojitz Corporation

To give a sports analogy, being a working parent is like being a long-distance marathoner. In other words, parenthood is not a short distance running event. In my younger days, I focused my full attention on my career. However, after having children, I realized that aiming for perfection in both work and childcare is not sustainable. It is important to strive for balance and take a long-distance running approach to maintain stamina. Whether it is enjoying time with family or staying connected with friends, I find that taking care of my own physical and mental health is the first step to being a good family member or friend over the long-term.

Sojitz is a company that provides support to working parents. The company culture recognizes that employees come from different backgrounds and circumstances. At Sojitz, employees are thoughtful and supportive of each other, and this sense of community keeps employees at the company. In addition, there are robust systems in place to support working parents. I always prioritized professional growth and taking on new business challenges before the birth of my first child, and I did want to ensure I prioritized my baby by taking adequate maternity and childcare leave*² before and after the birth. When I returned to the office roughly one year later, everyone welcomed me back. Support from my colleagues motivated me after my transition back to the office and helped me to get through this early stage of parenthood . I have taken the nursing care leave days multiple times when my children were ill as well as applied to have the company cover a portion of babysitting costs when I hired a babysitter.


*2 Sojitz’s leave policies: Diversity Management｜Sojitz ESG BOOK｜Sustainability｜Sojitz Corporation


Times are changing significantly. Younger generations are no longer putting aside their life ambitions to take on childcare, and we are in a society where women can pursue careers and interests as working parents. I believe a society that encourages and supports women with these opportunities is ideal. This positive outlook can lead to greater happiness both for women and for their families. I hope that more men will also take childcare leave, which is starting to become more widespread. While only women can experience childbirth, husbands can be a supportive partner and deepen familial bonds, and this partnership may be the first step to help couples in society balance work and childcare responsibilities.

I would like to help raise the Paris Branch’s presence within Sojitz Group and to contribute to Sojitz Group’s business activities in the region. I believe as a general trading company our mission is to expand business not only in Japan, but across the world. This purpose is a key mission embedded in our company DNA. Each day, I remind myself of the importance of my role as a Sojitz employee on assignment overseas. Since being assigned to the Paris Branch, I have realized the importance of relying on support from local staff as individual effort can only go so far to accomplish a goal. My colleagues in France are highly accomplished and dedicated to their work. By sharing their accomplishments with Tokyo HQ employees, we can help to create positive synergy as well as motivate local staff and foster employees’ pride in being members of Sojitz Group. I strongly believe this positive synergy can be the key to further growth in the region. I will continue collaborate with my colleagues in France to create new business and to lead a fulfilling life on my assignment overseas.