- What led you to choose ASICS?
I have been involved in track and field from elementary school through university, and I found joy in experimenting and researching how to improve my body and movement in order to run faster. I wanted to pursue a career where I could transform such research into tangible outcomes that would bring joy to customers. That's why I applied to ASICS, a company that has its own research institute.
What were you passionate about during your student life?
One of my passions was definitely track and field. I dedicated myself to middle-distance running, and I still remember the joy of breaking my personal best. The unique tension before competitions, and the time spent pushing each other with teammates, are memories I’ll never forget. Another passion of mine is music. I absolutely love singing and playing instruments. Looking back, I realize that my experience of “communicating something to others” through music has been helpful in my current role in service development.
Can you describe your current job responsibilities?
My work revolves around research and service development to "understand and quantify my movements." Specifically, I have been involved as a core member from the research stage in developing a product called "Runmetrix," which uses small sensors to measure the movement of the waist and pelvis, offering advice on running form characteristics, areas for improvement, and daily performance.
My responsibilities have ranged from analyzing human movement using large-scale equipment in our experimental facility, to developing a system that can easily measure movements with sensors and display them in an app. I've also worked on testing the system with athletes and gathering feedback to improve it. The product was released in 2021, and now we are focused on its widespread use and planning the next updates.
What do you find satisfying about your current work? And what project has left a lasting impression on you?
I enjoy creating something from scratch, and working on the "Runmetrix" project, which was unprecedented at ASICS, has given me great satisfaction. There was a particularly heartwarming moment during development. Before the product was released, we had university track teams use our prototype system. When we visited to gather feedback, a female athlete told me, "It helped me focus better during practice" and "I was able to identify my strengths." It felt like a reward for all the trials and errors I went through in track and field during my university days. In that moment, I felt that I had helped the “me” from back then. It was an incredibly moving experience.
Can you share a story about challenging at work and how you overcame it?
As I mentioned, I love creating something from scratch, but when doing something unprecedented, it can be difficult to align everyone's vision of the goal. This was the case during the early stages of the "Runmetrix" development. At that time, no one on the team knew exactly what to expect, and there was uncertainty and anxiety. To overcome this, I focused on building small successes. I made opportunities for athletes and general runners to try our developing product, and shared the positive feedback we received with the team. I wanted to create a situation where everyone felt confident that what we were doing would help many users.
I strongly believe that “tailwinds are created by oneself.” I kept moving forward with the belief that if I created a tailwind, everyone would naturally follow. Ultimately, we all united as a team, working towards our goal.
What is the work environment like at ASICS?
Employees at ASICS seem to share a mindset of "wanting to like themselves" and "wanting to enjoy their work while giving their best." Many people also resonate with the ASICS brand and our founding philosophy of "A Sound Mind In A Sound Body," and they carry a sense of pride and trust in the company. I believe that the positive workplace atmosphere is shaped by this collective mindset.
The workplace culture is casual. The research office has a free-address system, so senior colleagues often drop by to say, "How’s it going?" and we sometimes discuss topics like marathons I’ve participated in. It's a great environment where employees maintain a good distance and open communication. Work-life balance is also excellent. Everyone seems to skillfully balance their personal time and enjoy their leisure, creating a positive cycle where what they gain in their personal life is reflected in their work.
How would you describe ASICS to someone considering applying for a job?
If I had to describe ASICS concisely, I would say it’s a “company where you can grow in your own way.” The company offers various tasks and missions that allow you to improve yourself, which is similar to the experience of being in a club during student days. However, what makes it different is that the outcomes of this growth are meaningful—they benefit others. The idea that my own growth brings joy to others is what makes ASICS the best place to work. When I talk about my job with former classmates, they often say, "It sounds so fun" or "You seem to be full of energy." They also joke, "You haven’t changed since college!" I believe this shows that I am genuinely enjoying my work.
What kind of person do you think is suited for ASICS?
I believe ASICS is well-suited for people who want to improve themselves through work and who are always mindful of helping others. Many people around me are passionate about sports, whether it's playing or watching, and those who can channel the excitement and inspiration gained from sports into their work would thrive here.
However, just liking “track and field” or “sports” isn’t enough. If you can think deeply about what you learned from your passion and how you can apply it to create something, that’s when your “passion” becomes a strength that you can contribute to the company.
What would you like to challenge in the future at ASICS?
First, I want to expand the use of “Runmetrix” and make it a product that has a positive impact on society. To achieve that, I feel the need to further elevate my perspective as someone who has been involved in its development from the research stage.
Additionally, I want to not just deliver products, but also deliver a "mindset." There is a prevalent view in sports that results are what matter most. But for me, sports is about enjoying the process — moving your body itself is fun. I hope to share this pure mindset with many people through ASICS services.
To that end, I want to continue developing services that make the time spent by people striving to improve themselves more enjoyable, whether they are athletes focused on records and competition or runners who engage in daily exercise for their health.
Note: The profile and interview content reflect the information at the time of the interview.
