- What led you to choose ASICS?
I was born and raised in Japan, but spent my student years in Singapore and Australia starting at the age of 12. During this time, my sense of identity as a Japanese person grew stronger, and I began to feel proud whenever I encountered Japanese products and services abroad. Throughout my job search, I always had the desire to be involved in the international expansion of a Japanese company.
ASICS offers a global environment where I can leverage the diversity and language skills I have developed, which is a huge attraction for me. I am currently working with colleagues from various nationalities and backgrounds, and I feel that this is an environment where I can truly maximize my strengths. Additionally, the employees I met during the interview process were very friendly, and I felt a sense of warmth and openness in the company culture. This made me feel that ASICS was the right fit for me.
Can you describe your current job responsibilities?
I am part of the Trade & Retail Marketing team, and my primary focus is on in-store marketing. Specifically, every time a new product is launched, I work with external vendors to design the displays and determine the best way to showcase the product in-store. I am involved in designing store fixtures and thinking deeply about how to present the product in the most attractive way, which requires creativity and a good sense of design.
Additionally, as part of our efforts to merge the digital and physical worlds, we launched the “ASICS EXPLORE” website. For the anniversaries of iconic models like GEL-NIMBUS and GEL-KAYANO, we created virtual galleries where users could experience the series' history and world in 3D. For the launch of METASPEED PARIS series, we developed content allowing people to virtually experience the Tokyo Marathon. By collaborating with stores, we were able to boost foot traffic and create a platform for ongoing customer engagement, not just short-term, in-store promotions. Every season, we launch new content, and the site supports 13 languages, making it accessible for people worldwide, regardless of nationality or language.
What would you like to challenge in the future at ASICS?
Currently, I’m primarily focused on retail-specific marketing, but in the future, I would like to try my hand at other areas of marketing, such as PR and digital. I want to acquire a broad range of practical marketing skills, which I’ve been interested in and studying since high school, and become an all-around marketer.
Furthermore, I am interested in being assigned to an overseas office where I can work more closely with the market and gain practical experience. By approaching the ASICS brand from various angles, I hope to expand my perspective and create opportunities to introduce more people to the value of ASICS.
Note: The profile and interview content reflect the information at the time of the interview.
