I have always loved games, which led me to study and work in this field.

After graduating from university in Japan, I studied Applied Translation Studies at a graduate school in the UK, and then focused my job search on the Japanese game industry. I have always loved games, and my interest in translation was sparked when I played the localized version of “Yakuza” by SEGA, one of our group companies, and felt the power of translation there. Finding a job amidst the pandemic had its challenges, but I was very happy to find a job at SEGA SAMMY, which I have always loved.

During my first month at the company, I participated in the training program for new employees, where I learned not only the basics such as how to write e-mails, but also various other things to help me grow as a businessperson. I felt that the SEGA SAMMY Group had a very good education system, and in fact, what I learned in the training program has been applied to my work since then.

It is both difficult and rewarding to stand in between people and coordinate them.

After completing my training, I joined the Licensing Department, which handles the licenses for all businesses of the SEGA SAMMY Group. I am in charge of the music games (called “sound games”) and the prizes for game centers. Specifically, my job is to negotiate with the companies that own the rights, including the terms and conditions, in response to requests from the development side to use items in games and products, and to obtain permission and conclude contracts.

What I find difficult is to respond flexibly and make adjustments so that both the developer and the other company are satisfied. Each company has its own policies that are important to them, so there are times when it is difficult to reach a compromise, but I feel a profound sense of accomplishment when I am able to complete the process from negotiation to contract conclusion by myself. In the Licensing Department, I often have to be “in between” people. That’s why I find it interesting and rewarding when a project progresses smoothly or a deal is concluded through my intervention. I like to support others, so I enjoy my work. I think this job is very suitable for people who like to support others.

When dealing with entertainment, the first thing you need to do is to broaden your interests and enjoy yourself.

If you are going to work in entertainment, you must first enjoy your work.

This is cherished advice from my boss. Now, I try to enrich my own private life and enjoy myself in the entertainment industry. I have started to actively gather information and trends in the world, such as being curious about new releases and looking at magazines for people of all ages. It is impossible to predict which IP (intellectual property), such as game titles and characters, will be involved in business and in what way. There is a wide range of possibilities, so I would like to continue to broaden my horizons. The senior people around me are very knowledgeable and they keep their antennae open in various fields. Many of them seem to enjoy talking about what they like, and I have learned a lot from them both in my work and my private life.

It has been about a year since I joined the company, and looking back, my time here has been very fruitful. I am grateful for the company culture that gives me a great deal of discretion in the work I am given and allows me to challenge myself. My goal for the future is to become familiar with a wide range of licensing by taking on the challenge of “licensing out” work, which involves leasing out the rights held by the SEGA SAMMY Group to other companies. Because the SEGA SAMMY Group manages a broad portfolio of products and companies, and has many different businesses, it is possible to become familiar with numerous fields while absorbing a wide variety of information. I think this is a great advantage for improving my own business skills.

Message to students and those who want to join our company

Job hunting is difficult in many aspects. I myself was job hunting in the midst of the new coronavirus pandemic. Being in the UK during the lockdown, I had to go through the entire selection process online. There were many times when I felt uneasy, but I was able to join SEGA SAMMY with peace of mind after a thorough interview and follow-up online. I now work at the company that created the titles I have loved for so long, and every day is fulfilling. I hope that all of you, even when things don’t go well, will keep in mind whether or not you feel that “this company is really good” and whether or not you would love working here.