Interviewing Top Executives

I believe a wonderful phrase has been created in two respects.
One is the origin of our company. It all began over 100 years ago, when the founder developed an iron mine on the Malay Peninsula (Malaysia). He later started a shipping business, but all his interests were confiscated during the Second World War. After starting from scratch again after the war, he expanded the business globally as a comprehensive chemical manufacturer. I see the idea of the slogan as a return to that origin.

The other is that it aligns with the three elements I always emphasize: originality, acceleration, and globalization. In particular, in our organic chemical business related to pesticides, we are actively expanding overseas to the United States, Europe, and other regions, and we hope that there will be growing momentum throughout the company to once again create a global impact.

Having spent my entire career in the pesticide business, I find this expression to make sense very much. New findings obtained in research laboratories spread globally, finding unexpected applications and leading to big business projects, which is the very essence of the ripple effect.
Understanding specific local market needs (local insights) and rolling out those insights globally will be a crucial strategy for competing against multinational corporations. I hope we can all share that kind of awareness.

It isn't just a brand message. I think it accurately expresses what makes Ishihara unique, encompassing its founding-era spirit of global orientation, its business style as a research and development-oriented manufacturer, and its future management challenges of global expansion, digital transformation, and sustainability.

What made me even happier was that this brand strengthening project didn't start as a top-down initiative. Several department heads made proposals. "We definitely want to do it. It is absolutely necessary for the company right now."
I'm incredibly grateful to the project members for their hard work and for bringing it to such a high level.

A survey was conducted when creating the slogan. Overall, there was a lot of active participation in the survey, and I got the impression that the slogan was particularly highly appreciated by members of the overseas group companies.

What I remember most is the trial and error involved in developing the fungicide cyazofamid in Europe.
In the final stage of development, a major outbreak of the target potato disease occurred, which is said to happen only once every few years, and the expected efficacy was not achieved.
While the researchers were looking for effective measures, a local researcher suggested an idea, "If we could spread the agent thinly on the surface of the leaves, it might be more effective." Subsequently, we were able to overcome the challenge by improving the formulation technology to increase coverage, and we were able to successfully register the product two years later.
At that time, I realized that it would be absolutely necessary to think this through carefully.
By persevering and trying different approaches, you can sometimes come up with unexpected solutions.

I've been with the company for about 40 years now. Initially, I was assigned to Singapore as an engineer in the titanium dioxide business, where I was involved in setting up a factory from the beginning, and later moved to the Yokkaichi Plant. There, I was put in charge of handling administrative affairs concerning environmental and safety issues.
Looking back, I think that the more I tackled challenges that far exceeded my expectations, the greater the rewards I gained.
While struggling to overcome language barriers and differences in values with the person you're negotiating with, there are moments when you suddenly connect with them on a deeper level. Sometimes, during face-to-face interaction, you can truly feel, "Now we understand each other," not just through words. Although I work in the corporate world, I've come to realize that ultimately, it's human connections that drive things forward.

I don't think that's something you can learn from someone else. Thinking for yourself and finding the answer is significant. Monitor the market constantly. Patiently and continuously observe what the problems are and where the clues to solving them might lie. As you think hard about it, you're bound to see some kind of clue. Then take action. This is important.

I had small group discussions with members of the Central Research Institute, and I truly realized how much our researchers love research. They're incredibly dedicated, even reading research papers on their days off.
I'm confident that by turning that enthusiasm into their strengths and further developing their business acumen, they will have local insights.

I hope young people will pursue their dreams with enthusiasm.
Paying more attention to local communities, understanding what is needed now, and exploring how you can contribute in your field of research will lead to business opportunities.

Your personal goals must be aligned with ultimate goals. It's important that everyone recognizes the common goal.

Even if they don't understand the meaning at first, I think it's good to just memorize it. As they grow, there will inevitably come a time when they realize, "Ah, that's what it meant."
Our company's purpose is "to continue contributing to better living environments through chemical technologies." I hope that they will take another step from there to a deeper level and make the slogan a place to return to in their daily work, or a motto among colleagues.

The interpretation of words can vary depending on a person's age, position, and experience. It might be a good idea to keep the phrase in mind at all times and reflect on it when they reach milestones like their first or second year.

I think it's important to think things through. Even without experience, if you think deeply about where you are now, try things out, think again, and try again, you will surely gain insights.
I've loved this phrase ever since I first heard it.

I've grown to like it even more after talking with you like this today. Its score has improved from 90 to 100, so to speak. Perhaps that's because the interpretation deepens as you process it internally and express it in your own words. I'd like to express my gratitude once again for the wonderful output.

Because the value chain for pharmaceuticals is so long, from research and development to product commercialization, it's not uncommon for the people involved to lose their coordination. For instance, registration may have been obtained, but the sales system is not yet in place. Furthermore, multinational corporations are currently leading the way in the field of pesticides. In this context, I believe that if we can share common goals, we can still grow and compete on an equal footing with leading companies.

In that sense, it's important that every employee truly understands and internalizes this phrase. The president has been visiting each business location and continuing dialogues, and I would like to play a part in that as well.
Ultimately, our slogan should become as essential as air, an indispensable part of our lives. I believe that in that way we will be able to have even more new local insights.

It might sound naive, but the most important thing is for our employees to be happy. The job is only possible when you are healthy in both mind and body and can keep a smile on your face. It's said that when people feel happy, their productivity increases by 1.3 times and their creativity triples. For a research and development-oriented manufacturer like us, human resources are of paramount importance.
To achieve these goals, it is absolutely essential to produce results. Properly return profits to our shareholders and be recognized as a company that makes a significant contribution to society. This also leads to employee confidence.

I always tell my employees, "Everyone will be happy!" Instead of saying, "I'll make you happy," I say, "Let's become happy together." Happiness is something that a person experiences for themselves; it's not something that others can do for you. So, what's needed for that? In the context of a company, it's crucial that employees feel engaged in their work and take pride in it.
"Local Insight, Global Impact" should serve as the perfect banner for this. I want to work together with our colleagues both domestically and internationally to further raise the ISK flag.