InterviewPower of People

My passion for this field likely stems from my childhood, when my father, who worked in construction, often brought me to job sites. Those early experiences inspired me to pursue a career related to architecture or design. KOGEISHA, with its focus on spatial design that blends both worlds, turned out to be the perfect fit for me. At KOGEISHA, I’ve been able to leverage the language skills I developed in Study abroad destination to take on both domestic and international projects. Until then, Kogeisha had no employees who could speak other languages. This distinction allowed me to gain a lot of unique experiences. It is very rewarding to be able to do this kind of work both domestically and internationally, not only in the planning and operation of exhibitions and booths, but also in supporting business matching between domestic and overseas customers.

Since joining KOGEISHA, I’ve worked exclusively in planning and sales. In fact, when I was studying in Canada, I studied something called visual communication design. You might wonder why, given my background in design. The truth is, my design knowledge plays a crucial role in what I do.

At KOGEISHA, planning and sales is about much more than taking orders. It’s about understanding client needs, balancing their vision with their budget, and stripping away unnecessary elements to highlight what truly matters.

It’s a process that mirrors design thinking: identifying where to focus and determining what to add or subtract to achieve the best outcome.

In a way, our job is to design the entire space holistically, from concept to execution. Once I realized this, my approach to work became much clearer.

One of the principles I hold most dear is offering “simple and clear solutions.”I prioritize exhibits that communicate directly and effectively—an approach that aligns perfectly with the business-oriented nature of trade shows.

Of course, just knowing a foreign language doesn’t automatically qualify you to handle international projects. I’ve made countless mistakes along the way, each one taught me valuable lessons.

Moments like these taught me the critical importance of thorough preparation. Now, I make it a point to research everything—clients’ needs, the local culture, climate, and religious values, and even the stability of the local partner companies we hire.

In my experience, 70% of a project’s success is determined during this preparation phase.

Moreover, this dedication to preparation directly translates to peace of mind for our clients. When every detail is accounted for, it allows us to be flexible and responsive on-site. We realize from experience that it is this responsiveness that translates into customer trust.

When I first joined KOGEISHA, there were still some employees who were hesitant about working with international clients or using English. Today’s younger employees, however, are entirely different.

Even if they’re not fluent, they approach global projects with enthusiasm and a willingness to take on new challenges. It’s incredibly inspiring and reassuring to see their proactive mindset.

Moving forward, I want to work alongside these younger colleagues to expand the global projects that I’ve primarily handled on my own so far.

My goal is to provide even more clients with the opportunity to host exhibitions internationally.

The true appeal of this job lies in the people we meet across various industries and the chance to hear them say, “Thank you.” There’s no greater source of pride and joy than knowing we’ve made a positive impact on someone’s work or business.

I want to pass on the value of these rewarding experiences to the next generation through the projects we take on together.