Thoughts on the 10th Anniversary of Service

Ten years ago, in January 2014, UNI-SIGHT was born. Ten years have passed since then.

UNI-SIGHT was launched to promote the UNIVA Group's philosophy and mutual understanding with NAKAMA. Starting with the 2014 theme of "Budding Buds," the UNI-SIGHT has since been produced under the themes of "Promotion," "Enlightenment," "Resonance," "Sharing," "Raging Forward," "Fruition," and "Change," based on changes in the world situation and overall group trends during these years. Since 2021, we have eliminated the annual theme and focused on "people, products, and services" within the group. UNI-SIGHT has received the Grand Prix, Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards in the "In-House Magazine Awards," which recognize outstanding in-house magazines. It has been renewed four times in 10 years, with an emphasis on design and usability. We hope that through UNI-SIGHT, you will deepen your understanding of the UNIVA Group as much as possible.

Then in September 2014, eight months after UNI-SIGHT was born, the UNIVA AWARDS were launched. The UNIVA AWARDS has been the UNIVA Group's knowledge-sharing forum, recognizing many stars and excellent examples. In recognition of the results of the good stimulus and chemistry within the group, UNIVA AWARDS received "The Award of Excellence" from the Silver Anvil Award 2018, the Academy Awards of the PR industry. Another year has passed and the call for applications for the UNIVA AWARDS 2023 has begun. We look forward to seeing many more Shining Stars emerge from this great stage at this year's UNIVA AWARDS.

In the January 2024 issue, we introduce six of the 23 NAKAMA members with 10 years of service who joined in the year UNI-SIGHT and UNIVA AWARDS were created. Congratulations to Mr. Kosaka, Mr. Kakebayashi, Mr. Koga, Ms. Komiyama, Ms. Qiu, Mr. Oki, and everyone at NAKAMA who have been with us for 10 years. Congratulations on your 10th anniversary. And congratulations to North Energy on their 10th anniversary!

Thank you all for your continued support to UNI-SIGHT in 2024.

New Businesses for the Next Generation:
The Dream of a 50-Year Company

North Energy Eisei Kosaka, Representative Director
Self Description: A short-tempered old man who has a hard time giving up (even in a difficult situation, always try first rather than worrying about this and that before trying).

Juan: Congratulations on the 10th anniversary of North Energy (NE)! First of all, please give us your honest feedback.

Kosaka: When NE was first established, I honestly did not expect it to last 10 years. Because the 10-year survival rate for companies is 6.3%. Celebrating our 10th anniversary was one of our goals.

Juan: What have the past 10 years been like for NE and Mr. Kosaka?

Kosaka:Twists and turns. There were three major turning points in the past, present, and future. One is the start of the FIT system in 2012. This is a system under which the government promises that electric power companies will purchase electricity generated by businesses and individuals from renewable energy sources at a certain price for a certain period of time, with the goal of promoting the use of renewable energy.

Juan: NE has also caught the current trend well and has been able to improve its performance with this FIT program.

Kosaka:Yes. In the early days of the company, there was a lot I didn't know about solar and other renewable energies and management, but I kept on running with all my heart. And the second turning point we are currently facing is the end of FIT in 2020. We are struggling to build a business model unique to the NE that does not depend on FIT. But once this is established, it is not a dream to become a company that lasts for 50 years.

Juan: Do you think it will be a good baton to carry into the future?

Kosaka:The turning point in the future is the return of FIT power plants in 2034. There are 790 FIT power plants managed by NE nationwide. For those power plants in which we own the land, the equipment reverts back to us according to the provisions of the land lease agreement with the customer. We recognize that it is the role of the current generation to connect the power plant to the next generation so that they can make the best choice at that time as to how to utilize that power plant.

Juan: Where do you think the true value of NE lies for you, Mr. Kosaka?

Kosaka:I find it very rewarding to discover unused land that produces nothing, and to work on transforming land that was once covered with weeds into a solar power plant, creating beneficial value. The way the land is transformed makes my heart sing every time. The true value of NE is that the accumulated work of NAKAMA working in such NE contributes to the realization of a globally decarbonized society.

Juan: It is the mission of NE to pass the good baton to the future.

Kosaka:Yes. We will keep running, aiming to become a 50-year company!

Juan: Please let me know what you think of UNI-SIGHT at the end of this article.

Kosaka:It is stylish and a good tool to realize that we have NAKAMA all over the world.

Social Contribution by "Chart Enthusiast"

UNIVA Oak Holdings, Inc.
Kenta Kakebayashi, Manager, Group Accounting and Finance
*On secondment from Sterling Securities Dealing Dept.
Self Description: Chart enthusiast (I check hundreds of stocks daily. On my days off, I enjoy checking price charts of commodity futures, special indices, crypto assets, etc., which are rarely seen during the week)

Juan: Tell us about your work 10 years ago and now, Mr. Kakebayashi.

Kakebayashi: Ten years ago, I was in charge of investment recovery operations after underwriting equity financing at the former Oak Capital. In addition to my trading duties, I am currently responsible for researching new potential investment targets and general back-office operations related to equities. Back-office operations mainly include the management of stock holdings and the preparation of legal documents to be submitted to financial bureaus and exchanges.

Juan: Looking back over the past 10 years, what changes and growth do you see?

Kakebayashi: When I first joined the company, I felt a lot of pressure from the "heavy responsibility" of investment recovery operations. Because depending on my work, it could have a significant impact on a company's financing and its own profits. Besides, the financial industry must operate within strict laws and regulations to protect investors. It is because of such tense work that I think I have developed a "sense of responsibility" and "accuracy".

Juan: Has there been any change in your job satisfaction over the past 10 years?

Kakebayashi: At my previous job in the dealing business at a securities company, my main mission was to increase the company's own funds, and I felt that my contribution to society was not very high. It was at this time that I was attracted to our business of helping companies revitalize and grow, and I joined the company. If a company can get back on its feet with our support, it can have a positive impact on society by keeping its employees employed, maintaining relationships with suppliers, and securing profits for shareholders. I find it very rewarding to know that my work is indirectly contributing to society.

Juan: What are your goals for the future?

Kakebayashi: UNIVA Oak Holdings has set a medium-term management goal of "25-2-60". This is aimed at achieving consolidated net sales of 25 billion yen, consolidated net income of 2 billion yen, and market capitalization of 60 billion yen as a group, thus breaking all previous records. My goal is to work with the sales department to acquire new investment opportunities and contribute to the achievement of the "25-2-60" goal.

Juan: Finally, what are your thoughts on UNI-SIGHT since October?

Kakebayashi: When I first saw it, I was surprised by the visuals, which looked like a fashion magazine. Some of the projects, such as interviews with prominent people outside the group, transcended the boundaries of an in-house magazine, and greatly overturned the image of an in-house magazine. The interviews with the NAKAMA people gave us a real sense of the group's growth trajectory and the thoughts of its employees. For the UNIVA Group, which has about 700 employees, UNI-SIGHT is indispensable in understanding and cooperating with NAKAMA. I look forward to reading it every month.

Juan: I am glad to hear that! Thank you very much for this wonderful story.

Transfer within the group to gain experience and further development

UNIVA Japan
Facility Business Department, Leader Hironori Koga
Self Description: Imaginary person who loves LEGO (the only thing I enjoy doing is putting imaginary structures into LEGO worlds, tailoring characters and stories, and playing with my children)

Juan: Mr. Koga is the first person who applied for the intra-group invitation posted on UNI-SIGHT and made the intra-group personnel transfer!

Koga: Yes, I transferred from ZYX to UNIVA Social Commerce, where I was engaged in activities to promote the UNIVA Group's EC sales business. After that, I transferred to Naturally Plus, where I experienced various things in Corporate Planning, Uni Marche, and the General Affairs Department.

Juan: Can you tell us more about your current work and the last 10 years?

Koga: Currently, I am involved in PM (project management), CM (construction management), and site management work, focusing on office layout changeover construction and relocation occupancy planning. Immediately after transferring to UNIVA Japan, I had a lot of difficulties because of my ignorance and lack of expertise in the field of architecture and design. Still, I am able to continue to do so to this day thanks to Mr. Ubatani and NAKAMA who encourage me to "work together!" I have come to realize that work cannot be done alone, but only with the cooperation of NAKAMA, both inside and outside the company.

Juan: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job and what are your goals for the future?

Koga: Facility projects must be planned at the design stage and specific construction details must be coordinated with various departments to ensure the success of the project. In any case, the number of people involved is large and the work is diverse. Every day, I often reflect on what I have done, but I see it as an opportunity for personal growth. In the future, I would like to learn more specialized knowledge and develop not only my knowledge but also my ability to anticipate people's feelings and situations in order to satisfy my clients.

Juan: What are your thoughts on UNI-SIGHT and the UNIVA AWARDS?

Koga: Through UNI-SIGHT, I am encouraged to learn about the colleagues and strengths of the entire UNIVA Group. I have entered the UNIVA AWARDS in the past, but unfortunately, I did not win the award.

From the youngest to the oldest, to a person who can be counted on by her peers.

UNIVA Fusion
CRM Mei Komiyama
Self Introduction: Work-Life Balance Guru

Juan: I remember Ms. Komiyama very well because she was the youngest in the group when she joined us. Ten years have passed since then. What kind of decade was it?

Komiyama: Ten years ago, when the company was first established, we had a small number of employees and I was involved in almost every aspect of the business, from BA (beauty advisor) for cosmetics to accounting work. I am currently working in the CRM team, focusing on digging up cancellers. I wonder if I have been able to grow in the history of our company's growth.

Juan: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job and what are your goals for the future?

Komiyama: Three years ago, when a junior colleague joined the company in my area of responsibility, I developed a great sense of responsibility. I find it rewarding to mentor junior staff as it increases my own understanding of the business. As the oldest (laughing) employee, I want to continue to be someone my colleagues can count on.

Juan: What are your thoughts on UNI-SIGHT and the UNIVA AWARDS?

Komiyama: I enjoy reading UNI-SIGHT. I feel that Chairman Inaba's passion is always the same as it was 10 years ago. I applied for the UNIVA AWARDS in 2017 and was selected as an internal finalist.

The work is interesting because of the different history and cultural backgrounds!

UNIVA Corporation
Product Management Division Product Development Team and
Group Management Division Business Support Team Siwei Qu
Self Description: An optimist between calm and passionate

Juan: Tell us about the last 10 years.

Qu: At the time I joined the company, I was in charge of the Japanese counterpart of product registration for overseas distribution of NP products. In 2017, I joined the China project and was instrumental in researching relevant regulations, finding a joint venture partner, and negotiating purchasing, coordinating formulations, and applying for product registration for local production. I am now part of two teams, and the countries in charge of product registration for overseas distribution of NP products are Taiwan, Thailand, and the Philippines.

Juan: You have a wide range of operations.

Qu: Because we have different histories and cultural backgrounds, we have been able to work smoothly thanks to the importance of communication and NAKAMA. My goal is to strengthen cooperation with other teams in the future!

Juan: What are your thoughts on UNI-SIGHT and the UNIVA AWARDS as well?

Qu: Through UNI-SIGHT, I have been able to deepen my understanding of the Group by getting to know NAKAMA from various operating companies and countries. UNIVA AWARDS was entered and selected for Shining Star in 2018. The tension, excitement, and emotion of that stage was an amazing experience.

Make "Koko Furu" a national brand!

UNIVA Paycast
Research & Development Dept. Leader Yusuke Oki
Self Introduction: I look athletic (?) but I'm actually just a fake sportsman (baseball fan)

Juan: What was your job 10 years ago and what is your job now?

Oki: When I joined the company, I was working in corporate service sales at Next Point Service Corporation, which was a subsidiary at the time. I am currently engaged in the launch and development of a new local consumption-type hometown tax payment service called "Koko Furu" in the New Business Development Department.

Juan: What kind of decade was it for you, Mr. Oki?

Oki: It has been a very short 10 years. I think my perspective has broadened to a certain extent as I think about the fact that I, who could only sell services, am now thinking about assembling a business while considering the benefits and merits of the various players involved, not to mention my own company. We have been rewarded by the reactions we have received when our new service, "Koko Furu," has been useful to someone, when it has been appreciated, and sometimes when people have complained about it.

Juan: What are your future goals as well?

Oki: My immediate goal is to make "Koko Furu" a well-known service on a national scale.

Juan: What are your thoughts on UNI-SIGHT and the UNIVA AWARDS?

Oki: I am always impressed that UNI-SIGHT must be extremely difficult to put together such a large amount of production on a regular basis. I always watch the UNIVA AWARDS as a spectator. LOL!