PLOFILE
I.S
Factory Manager, KANSAI Company, Konan Plant DAIHO INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
The Konan Plant of DAIHO’s Kansai Company began operations in April 2006. As the headquarters of the Kansai Company and the mother factory of the entire DAIHO INDUSTRIAL group, it brings together the company’s most cutting-edge technologies. Leading this flagship site since July 2024 is factory manager I.S., who was appointed to the role at the young age of 36. We spoke with him about his journey, what led to his rapid rise, and his goals for the future.
With a serious look one moment and a friendly smile the next, I.S. doesn’t shy away from admitting he wasn’t always this composed.
“I’m from Okayama City and the third of four brothers. Compared to my two older, straight-laced brothers, I was the troublemaker growing up. My parents worried about me, so instead of going to university in Kansai, I followed my brothers to Tokyo. By the time I graduated, I’d mellowed out. I tried to follow in my banker father’s footsteps and aimed for a local bank, but I failed. So, I decided to study accounting and enrolled in a vocational school.”
He tried again to join a regional bank, to no avail. He then aimed nationwide—only to face a harsh interview at a Tokyo construction company.
“It was one of those pressure interviews. The interviewer said something like, ‘You graduated from college and don’t know this?’ Even though I had outgrown my rebellious phase, I couldn’t hold back. I stood up mid-interview and said, ‘I’m done here,’ and left. (laughs)”
About to give up on Japan altogether, he considered working abroad—and that’s when he stumbled upon a DAIHO INDUSTRIAL job posting at his school.
“It mentioned overseas assignments. That hit me like fate. I applied, had a great interview, and within two weeks, I was hired.”
After joining DAIHO, I.S. was assigned to the Konan Plant. About 18 months in, he was asked: “Would you go to the Czech Republic?” Without hesitation, he said yes.
“I wasn’t worried at all. As a new hire, I had just returned from a solo two-month training tour through DAIHO’s Southeast Asian sites—Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia. That experience toughened me up. So when they said ‘Czech Republic,’ I immediately agreed.”
In the Czech Republic, he handled everything from accounting to labor management. With little understanding of the local administrative formats, he spent his days implementing new standards. It was an intense and challenging six months.
A memory that sticks with him?
“My hair had grown out, so I asked a local staff member to take me to a barber. I tried explaining, using broken English and gestures, that I wanted a two-block cut. But apparently, that concept didn’t exist there. Long story short, I ended up with a bowl cut.
Back at the factory, everyone burst out laughing. The plant manager at the time—now president of our Kanto Company—laughed the hardest, then grabbed a pair of scissors and personally fixed my hair.
That experience taught me how important it is to persist in communication, even across language barriers. I had to use gestures, drawings, whatever it took to be understood.”
The Perspective of a Numbers Man
After returning from the Czech Republic, I.S. spent time at headquarters before transferring to the Kanto Company to handle accounting and administration.
“The workload was intense—accounting, HR, hiring, facilities, fixed assets—everything was handled by three of us. But it was fulfilling.”
In January 2019, he returned to Kansai, and in summer 2024, was appointed factory manager of the Konan Plant.
“I admit I didn’t have direct experience on the production floor. So now I’m asking questions, learning as much as I can, and figuring out how to apply my strengths in accounting and management.
While there are other young factory managers in the company, I’m the first from an accounting background to be promoted at 36. I think they saw that my broad view of the company, thanks to my time in general affairs and accounting, would bring a unique perspective to the role.”
What sets him apart?
“I try to be attentive—to my boss, my team, and every factory staff member. Even when you aim to do everything perfectly, there are always gaps. It’s about how you close those gaps and support each other. I think my ability to see the big picture is what got me here.”
When asked about his biggest goal as factory manager, his answer is simple:
“To make this a place where people enjoy working. Of course, we’ll work hard, and I want to raise performance so we can give back to employees. But at the end of the day, I want people to feel like they’re doing something worthwhile with great colleagues.
Work can be tough—that’s a given. But if everyone can say, ‘We made it through!’ and smile together afterward, that’s what I’m aiming for.
It may sound abstract, but I truly believe that the workplace should be enjoyable, especially when the job itself is demanding.
My job, especially with my accounting background, is to deliver results in numbers. It’s about running the plant smoothly, ensuring profitability, and figuring out how best to lead people toward that goal.”
What does he value most? Communication.
“In any organization, a small issue can turn into a big problem if people feel they can’t speak up. Even if it’s something minor, I want people to come to me. That openness is one of DAIHO’s greatest strengths. We can laugh and speak freely with executives—it’s a culture of mutual trust.”
As factory manager, I is now focused on the future—and what kind of people he hopes to work with at the Konan Factory. His answer: “people who can speak up.”
“I want to build a better future by working together with everyone in the factory, so I’m looking for people who don’t bottle things up but are able to express their thoughts clearly.
Of course, it’s not about just pushing your own opinions. What’s important is to speak your mind while also listening to others and finding harmony. Since becoming factory manager, I’ve come to value that even more.
If there’s something you don’t understand or feel unsure about, you can ask me or any of our experienced team members—we’re always here to help, no matter how small the concern.
At the end of the day, I want everyone to be able to look around at each other and smile. I’d love to welcome people who want to help create that kind of workplace together.”
