A Surprising Encounter with Nissan’s Leading Diversity
In my previous role at a Japanese automaker, I accumulated about 10 years of HR experience. As part of the head office HR team overseeing the entire group, I took a high-level view of global operations and worked on managing labor costs and optimizing staffing allocations. I was also involved in running overseas training programs for recruiters and young employees, as well as planning company-wide initiatives to promote women’s participation.
The reason I decided to join Nissan was because I found their approach to diversity to be extremely progressive. In fact, during my previous job, I visited Nissan for work related to diversity initiatives. What struck me most was the high percentage of female managers. Seeing foreign executives and employees working naturally and seamlessly in the office was very inspiring. Working in an environment where people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives collaborate toward common goals has been a dream of mine since youth. I wanted to leverage my HR experience to contribute to such an environment.
Deeply Understanding the Business needs to Provide “Tangible” Support
Since joining Nissan, I have been working as an HR Business Partner focused on recruitment and human resource development within my assigned department, rather than in the head office HR role I had in my previous job. My first assignment was in the domestic Sales and Marketing division. I’ve always been interested in sales and marketing, and I find it very rewarding to work as a partner supporting employees who are dedicated to their business.
Currently, I am responsible for Global Aftersales (AS). The mission of AS is to plan and deliver a variety of products and services that enrich our customers’ car life.
One of the most rewarding aspects of being an HR Business Partner is the opportunity to be in an environment where I can truly grasp the “touch and feel” of the business initiatives the department is promoting. To develop the best organizational structure and recruitment plans, HR professionals need to have a detailed understanding of the department’s goals and business operations. We support the business with a sense of ownership, while closely monitoring the operating profit generated by AS.
Many of our employees are foreign nationals, and at times, working in English can be challenging. However, this environment allows us to experience diverse values and ways of working, which has led to new insights and awareness.
A Culture that Values Results While Supporting Individuals
Since joining Nissan, I experienced the birth of my son. During that time, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work was more common across the company, and I was able to return to work just six months after giving birth. Although the company’s childcare leave system allowed for longer leave, I felt that the understanding and support from my manager and colleagues, along with a supportive workplace environment, made it possible for me to resume work without any difficulty. Even now, when my children suddenly have a fever, I can leave early, and I can easily take paid time off when needed.
Support from my surroundings isn’t limited to raising children. I became a manager in April 2023, and when I took the promotion exam, I received help from my boss, many senior colleagues, and mentors. I am grateful for my boss’s regular feedback and the effort they put into nurturing my career development.
Many people might think of Nissan as a purely results-oriented, corporate culture, but I don’t see it that way. Yes, we value achievement, but if you’re ever lost or in trouble, the people around you will support you wholeheartedly. Meeting many inspiring leaders who I aspire to be like has also motivated me to keep working hard.
A Large Company with a Compact Organization
— Making an Impact Regardless of Your Role
What surprises me most ABOUT NISSAN is that, despite being a large corporation, its approach to business and decision-making remains “compact.” We maintain close communication with management-including executives-and can easily exchange ideas from the perspective of frontline employees.
I vividly remember when I was working on a plan to promote women’s active participation, and an executive at the time personally approached me, saying, “Since this is your idea, I want to hear the story directly from you.” That moment left a strong impression. How much effort one puts into achieving their goals is entirely up to the individual. The more proactive and independent you are, the greater the impact you can have, regardless of your position.
Currently, I am fully committed to my work in the Aftersales (AS) department, but in the future, I would like to challenge myself as an HR Business Partner in the Design Division. As the name suggests, this division handles the upstream processes related to the design and styling of Nissan vehicles. My genuine interest in cars, driven by my own love for automobiles, motivates me to work in this field. I also look forward to meeting colleagues with different skills and ways of thinking from those I work with now.
In the long term, I also aspire to take on overseas assignments to broaden my experience and continue growing professionally.
