In an environment that encourages opinions and consultations, I was able to expand my horizons.

After my university years, which included studying abroad in England, I entered the workforce and worked in the flower industry, which I loved. I joined SEGA mid-career, starting in the General Affairs Department and then moving on to the Budgeting and Management Department where I worked as a secretary to the General Manager of the Corporate Division.

When I think about it now, this experience as a secretary was the catalyst for a major change in my working life. Not only did I manage the schedule, but I was also able to see up close the work that the executives were doing. I was sometimes asked my opinion, “What do you think about this?” and my horizons were suddenly broadened. The good thing about SEGA SAMMY is that many of the executives are friendly and easy to talk to, both then and now.

I challenged myself from a position with no experience at all to a management position.

After that, I took a year of maternity and childcare leave. During this time, there was a change in the organization, and I was given several options for the department I would like to return to. I wanted to challenge myself in a global job, so I applied for the Overseas Legal Affairs Section. Although I did not have a law degree or any knowledge of legal affairs, I jumped at the chance to work overseas. With the help of senior staff, I started by reading contracts with the help of a dictionary. Raising a child while working was difficult, but I was blessed by the people around me and despite the hardships, I made it this far.

I have been in the position of section chief for about three years. All the members of the team are excellent, so my role is to create a free and comfortable working environment so that they can fully demonstrate their abilities, while at the same time making adjustments so that we can achieve results as a business. As I have more opportunities to step forward, such as coordinating with other departments and communicating with the legal departments of overseas group companies, I have gained confidence and am able to deal with any situation calmly. In addition, I think my “perspective” has become higher. I used to think about how I could perform, but now I think about what is necessary for the company to succeed and what I can do to help, and then I do it. That’s why my work is interesting and I feel a deep sense of fulfillment.

Supporting businesses that compete on the global stage from both the “offensive” and “defensive” sides.

The company is currently placing special emphasis on globalization. We are increasing the number of overseas development studios and releasing games for overseas markets. The Overseas Legal Division supports businesses that are competing on the global stage. In the past, only specific titles were developed overseas, but now almost all titles are being developed with overseas expansion in mind, so the legal work inevitably becomes enormous. For example, laws protecting personal information are stricter overseas than in Japan, so I check and advise on legal issues such as whether the game has a system to protect personal information.

In general, the word “legal” may give you the impression of being defensive, as if to say, “I can’t do this because it’s against the law.” But in order to succeed in business, both offense and defense are necessary. At SEGA SAMMY Holdings, we have a policy of being close to the perspective of the development and business side, considering the line “this is as far as we can go,” and working together to promote business with an assertive stance. In the future, I would like to contribute to the further growth of the overall business of the SEGA SAMMY Group in cooperation with overseas group companies.

As for my personal goals for the future, I would like to look at business from a corporate and global perspective, not limited to legal affairs. Specifically, I would like to be stationed overseas. I would like to gain experience in overseas group companies and play a role as a bridge between them, considering what kind of support the company needs and making recommendations. I believe that this will also lead to the expansion of opportunities for women to play an active role in the company.

Message to students and those who want to join our company

One of the good things about SEGA SAMMY Holdings is that they give you the chance to take on challenges. When I joined the company, I was in my late thirties and I did not have a specific career in mind, but I began to see what I wanted to do, jumped into a job I had no experience in, and am now doing my utmost as a manager. To those of you who are looking for a job or changing careers, SEGA SAMMY Holdings is a place where anyone can be active at any age, as long as they are willing to take on challenges and work independently with passion.