Gaining Insight into the Depth
of Cars by Handling Tangible Assets
My previous role was at a leasing company, where I was mainly responsible for financing major semiconductor manufacturers. I decided to change jobs because I was deeply involved in the “post-financing” process and was attracted to that phase. I admired the manufacturer’s profound business model of creating valuable tangible assets that benefit society and earn appreciation. This became my motivation to join Nissan.
My interest in the automotive industry was heavily influenced by my experience in finance. I recognized the vast scope of the automotive business and felt that contributing to Japan’s core industry would be highly rewarding. Additionally, I believed that my skills in analyzing financial data—such as management information and performance metrics—could be effectively utilized in Nissan’s domestic marketing and sales divisions. To be honest, I’ve loved cars since elementary school. Nissan, known for its beautiful and iconic models like the Silvia, GT-R, and Fairlady Z, is a manufacturer I truly admire, and I feel very fortunate to be part of this company.
Taking on Higher-Level Challenges:
The Excitement and Motivation of Growth
After joining Nissan, I started in marketing to expand new car sales, then moved on to a team responsible for sales forecasts based on regional and customer trends, as well as market analysis. Each year, I faced different missions and tasks, which helped me deepen my experience and knowledge.
What surprised me most was the level of discretion I was given. For example, in my first year, I was responsible for marketing in the western Japan region, handling planning and production of TV, web, and flyer advertisements. I was entrusted with most of the decisions, including selecting the talent to feature—while the final approval was from my supervisor, I felt I was operating at a manager level, which was both exciting and challenging.
Nissan’s culture strongly encourages challenge-taking. When I transferred to the after-sales department in my fourth year, it was thanks to my manager’s sincere support that I could pursue my desire to experience the entire automotive business and develop my career more broadly.
Collaborating Closely with Frontline
Teams to Drive Service Innovation
No matter how excellent a vehicle is, sales won’t grow without the efforts and success of the dealer network, and Nissan’s brand strength depends on this. Therefore, we work with the mindset that both the ‘sales companies’ and ‘end users’ are our valued customers, focusing on maximizing service revenue and supporting operations.
My role involves improving store operations—especially systematizing technical staff (TS) activities like inspections and maintenance. I sometimes travel nationwide to explain the new systems and promote their adoption, and other times I gather feedback from the field to propose system improvements and new functions to the development team.
Currently, more than 10,000 TS employees work across dealer locations. Deploying such a large-scale system is as dynamic as infrastructure development. However, each store’s situation varies greatly. The most important thing is to face each other directly, deepen understanding of the local conditions, and have open discussions. It’s a tough, hands-on process, but the results—such as reducing the workload of over 10,000 staff nationwide—are highly rewarding.
Contributing to the Growth of After-sales Business
by Applying Financial Expertise
I am very satisfied with my current work environment. One of the most appreciated aspects is the thorough management of work hours. I rarely get scolded by my supervisor, but when it comes to taking paid leave, I was once told firmly, “Make sure to rest properly.” Thanks to the widespread adoption of flexible work styles, I can easily take my children to school or pick them up without hesitation, and managing my working hours has steadily improved my productivity.
My goal is to deepen and broaden my involvement in the automotive business within this comfortable environment. Eventually, I want to leverage my financial background and previous experience to contribute to the development of systems and flows related to insurance, warranties, and loans—integral parts of the after-sales ecosystem. With the rise of diverse payment methods and trends like car sharing, I am eager to help improve financial schemes and create innovative solutions.
