Creating an Atmosphere of Mutual Support, Not Bearing the Burden Alone
How Parenting Shaped Leadership and Team Management
A member of Apparel & Equipment Division, Category Strategy Department, ASICS Corporation
Could you share your department and your usual responsibilities?
Since joining the company, I've dedicated myself to marketing, and currently, I serve as a manager in the Category Marketing Team within the Apparel & Equipment Division. Our team’s core responsibility is to develop global marketing strategies to showcase the appeal of ASICS products, including apparel and accessories. We also create marketing content aligned with these strategies. My role often involves working with marketing teams across the globe, so I must navigate language barriers, cultural differences, and time zones to ensure smooth operations.
What were you most anxious about when returning from maternity leave?
Both my husband and I are far from our families, so we didn’t have the support of our parents or relatives. This made me particularly anxious about managing situations like when our child suddenly fell ill and whether we could handle it with just the two of us while juggling our work schedules.
What was particularly difficult about balancing work and parenting?
I returned to work when my child was 10 months old, and for the next two years, I continued breastfeeding several times a day. This often meant late-night and early-morning feedings, which left me physically exhausted from the lack of sleep.
I also struggled with "mom brain"—a condition where hormonal changes affect cognitive functions, leading to forgetfulness and mental fog. My concentration was often fleeting, and I found it harder to find the right words during conversations, which affected my work. To cope, I made sure to take more notes than usual, created detailed To-Do lists, and kept my team updated on my situation, making sure no tasks were overlooked. "Mom brain" isn’t a medical condition, so there’s no cure—it was just a matter of waiting for it to subside over time, which took about a year.
Given the frequent international communication, how did you manage time zone challenges while balancing work and parenting?
When working with international colleagues, it was important for me to be open about my situation. I shared things like how I have a young child who needs a lot of attention and how, in Japan, the use of babysitters isn’t as common as it might be in other countries. If there were times when meetings were impossible for me to attend due to my responsibilities, I made sure to communicate that in advance. I also assessed whether my attendance was absolutely necessary and, when needed, delegated those responsibilities to other team members.
What did you learn or realize through the experience of balancing work and parenting?
Fortunately, I gained many positive insights (laughs). First, I stopped expecting perfection from myself and others. Sometimes, the more we strive for perfection, the more things go awry. If we focus too much on one thing and ignore others, it defeats the purpose.
Secondly, I realized the importance of being true to myself. Setting aside time for myself and making sure I take care of my own well-being was unexpectedly key to balancing both work and parenting.
I also learned to say "no" more clearly when needed and became better at seeking help from others. Parenting and household chores can’t be managed alone. It’s important not to shoulder everything by yourself, and being able to ask for help when necessary has proven invaluable in both work and life.
Lastly, I became more attuned to the needs of others. In both my professional and personal life, I’ve become better at recognizing that everyone has their own set of circumstances. Taking the time to understand others and being open to their perspectives has helped create a more thoughtful and flexible approach to everything I do.
How did you utilize ASICS’ policies to support your balance between work and family?
To balance household chores and childcare with my husband, we made full use of the flexible hours system and the ability to work from home. Last year, our child was hospitalized for nearly two weeks, and during that time, I utilized accumulated paid leave and also took advantage of the family care leave policy. This allowed us to manage the situation without needing help from our extended families, which gave us great confidence.
Have you been actively involved in any of ASICS’ initiatives to promote women’s participation in the workplace?
Before having children, I joined a diversity, equity, and inclusion group, and I hoped to eventually support and help employees going through major life events such as marriage or childbirth. Two years ago, when I returned from maternity leave, my colleagues and I established the "ASICS Parents Community."
Recently, we created a "Maternity Leave Success Stories" document to share the experiences and messages of employees who have taken maternity leave, helping those currently on leave. We plan to continue supporting and growing the Parents Community moving forward.
As a manager, has your experience with parenting influenced your approach to leadership?
Having gone through maternity leave and returning to work as a parent has definitely changed my approach to management. In terms of team management, I’ve applied the teamwork skills I developed through sharing household and childcare duties with my husband. Furthermore, spending time with a young child has made me more sensitive to subtle changes in others’ expressions and body language. I’ve become more empathetic and observant, trying to understand what others may not be able to express in words. My experience with parenting has deepened my awareness and strengthened my desire to understand my team members more.
What advice would you give to a subordinate on balancing work and parenting effectively?
I wouldn’t say I’ve perfected the balance myself (laughs), but I want to share that even someone like me, who struggles at times, is managing. The key is not to seek perfection, not to overextend yourself, and to focus on balancing what you can. Also, no matter how busy you are, make sure to carve out time for yourself. For me, I take short runs or practice flower arrangement on weekends—these small moments of relaxation and refreshment are vital. ASICS’ founding philosophy, "A sound mind in a sound body," encapsulates the essence of balancing work and family life effectively.
As a working mother in a leadership role, how do you see your career progressing at ASICS?
ASICS is a global brand originating from Japan, and I believe the company will continue to grow. I hope to leverage my experiences and skills to contribute to the brand’s development. I also want to actively participate in creating an environment where every employee, regardless of age, gender, or nationality, feels that ASICS is an ideal place to work. To do that, I believe we should start by fostering happiness among the people closest to us. I aim to lead our team to be even more supportive, vibrant, and fulfilling in the future.
Note: The profile and interview content reflect the information at the time of the interview.
