The biggest risk is not to act out of fear of risk. “Creating and Enjoying the Future by Your Own” Efforts of Project Managers

Ryo Sakon, who gained extensive work experience at a display company, joined NOMURA Co.,Ltd. in 2021 as an experienced professional. As of February 2023, he is involved in multiple projects as a project manager. Sakon has maintained a positive attitude with the concept of "creating and enjoying the future." He talks about the joys of his work and the values he cherishes.

Create your own future and have fun. Focus on society and continue until you realize what you think is right

A Sakon who belongs to the Kinki Division Sales Department. Currently, as a project manager, he coordinates planners, designers, directors, and other members, and plays a role in promoting a wide variety of projects such as commercial facilities, welfare facilities, and public facilities.

Sakon “In the Kinki Division, each person in charge is involved in a wide range of categories and industries, such as handling commercial facilities and lodging facilities. I think that it will also be possible, so I am very happy now and I think it suits me.”

Among the multiple projects currently underway, one that Sakon is particularly focusing on is vitalization business project associated with the redevelopment of Senri Central Park.

Sakon: "This project aims to revitalize the surrounding area, including the park. A total of eight companies, including the lead company and other member companies, are working to create a space that feels integrated with the park. There are three types of projects: vitalization business, revenue-generating facilities, and parking facilities. Of these, we are mainly in charge of the revenue-generating facilities. We are involved in everything from concept design, planning, and construction to considering how they should function as revenue-generating facilities and assigning food and beverage vendors and retailers, so we are involved in creating the business scheme from the beginning."

Another thing that Sakon is focusing on is the reorganization and improvement plan for a certain welfare facility.

Sakon: The plan is to convert an employment support facility for people with disabilities into a futuristic social welfare facility. We are promoting industry-government-academia collaboration with local governments and neighboring universities to create an environment where people can live, work, eat and play without discrimination.”

In promoting these projects, Sakon has always maintained a positive attitude. I have a thought that I cherish.

Sakon: “I value creating my own future and enjoying it. As long as there is nothing that cannot be changed in the world, I believe that not acting out of fear of risk will become a bigger risk in the long run. I've been trying to stay ahead.

For example, Senri Central Park is trying to do a lot of new initiatives as a park business. My stance is to continue doing what I judge to be socially correct until it becomes a reality. If you think about risks, you can't take a step forward, and it's boring to work while worrying about your own evaluation. Even if it doesn't turn into a business right now, I'll take action first. If it is socially correct, it will evoke sympathy, increase the number of friends, and eventually lead to business. Believe in yourself and your friends, and continue to act until you realize it. I think that's what "creating the future" means."

I joined NOMURA Co.,Ltd. in search of work I could only do there and experience I could only gain there.

Originally interested in manufacturing, he majored in architecture at university. Sakon wanted to work in the display industry, thinking that he would be able to work more freely than at an architectural firm or a housing manufacturer.

Sakon: "In my previous two jobs, I was in charge of everything from planning, concept design, and construction to cost estimation and site management, mainly for commercial facilities. I was stationed on-site from morning till night and was constantly getting yelled at by the craftsmen. At our company, tasks such as sales, design, and construction are divided into specialized roles, but I believe the experience I gained as a generalist is invaluable, as it allows me to communicate with designers and engineers while having a deep understanding of the project."

In 2020, Sakon had a fulfilling career, such as obtaining a first-class architect qualification. One e-mail that came in suddenly became a big turning point.

Sakon: "One day, I received a call inviting me to join NOMURA Co.,Ltd. I had never even considered changing jobs, but NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Ltd. is the largest company in the industry. As I listened to them, I came to realize that they handle a wide range of businesses, and that there are jobs and experiences that I can only do at this company."

The occupation I chose was sales. The reason for this is that I thought that I could be involved in projects from the upstream side of the business, such as deciding policies while facing customers. I decided to join the company because I was attracted to being able to take on new challenges and to be able to do work that would have an impact on society.”

After joining the company in 2021, Sakon has participated in various projects such as commercial facilities and leisure facilities.

Sakon “I am in charge of stores and shopping malls that handle lifestyle miscellaneous goods, sales promotion for overseas high-end watch manufacturers, renovation of public baths operated by local people, and recently, the seaside station project and the renovation of hot bath facilities. .

Like the Senri Chuo Park project that we are working on now, we recommend social good projects with a high degree of social contribution. We are working on it and developing it with our sights set on it.”

Creating a facility with "blank space". Aiming to realize sustainable facilities led by local residents

▲Senri Chuo Park Art Workshop “Find Colors, Create Colors” promoted by Sakon

Sakon started working on the Senri Central Park project in April 2021, shortly after joining the company. It all started when a customer introduced me to a representative company of this business.

Sakon: In order to apply for an open call for projects, we submitted a project proposal to Toyonaka City with three companies, including the representative company, as ``Senri Chuo Park Partners.'' We were selected as business candidates in November 2021. We have been proceeding with the design of the profit facility since January 2022, and construction will start in October.We are proceeding with construction aiming to open in March 2023.”

What Sakon values in promoting this business is that the creator and the user are on the same level. The goal is to create a system that allows local residents to take the initiative and drive themselves.

Sakon: The business concept is ``PLAY 1OOORE SCENES''. Aiming to achieve vision.

Since it is a project that will continue for the next 20 years, it is necessary to develop it into a sustainable facility. For that reason, it is very important that local residents also participate in the creation of the park.”

To that end, it is essential that local residents have an attachment to the facility. Therefore, Sakon believes that the key is to create facilities with "margins".

Sakon: "In fostering attachment to a facility, I believe it's important to create 'space' in both the soft and hard aspects. We are conscious of not leaving any traces of the operators, designers, or construction. For example, we have local residents paint the walls of the facility, or we work together with them to plan events for the park. We believe that involving local residents at various stages of the creation process and having them actively participate will lead to the development of a sense of attachment."

Furthermore, as part of vitalization business, Sakon is holding various events, including workshops to discover new ways to use the park, and is also working on event planning that will make use of the park's resources, with local residents at the forefront. He enjoys engaging in conversations with local residents as they create the events together. As a hub for the local community, his efforts to interact with local residents at a close distance are still in their early stages.

(Reference: Senri Chuo Park Art Workshop "Find Colors, Create Colors")

Sakon: The original purpose of the redevelopment was to form a local community and have a ripple effect on the surrounding area. It is our mission to revitalize the local community with the park as a base. We are still active in events. However, after the opening, we plan to continue discussions with the representative and constituent companies, local residents, local governments, and neighboring universities, such as by holding a management meeting once a month. In many cases, once the facility is built, it's over, but I'd like to see it through to the next 20 years."

Together with the members of NOMURA Co.,Ltd., who possess limitless potential, we aim to contribute to solving social issues.

▲Blue sky meeting with everyone involved at Senri Chuo Park

Sakon says that in the welfare facility restructuring plan, the goal is to achieve "super welfare" through industry-government-academia collaboration. We are struggling to change the conventional image of welfare.

Sakon “In the future, I am thinking about branding the welfare itself so that it can be ranked number one in the ranking of occupations that elementary school students want to be. I am not just creating a space, but aiming for a more sustainable business, and I am involved in the welfare itself from the concept part. This is where I want to go.”

Since joining the company, Sakon has been actively involved in social good activities that create a happy impact through various projects. He says that he would like to continue to challenge new areas in the future.

Sakon: I think that there are various forms of social good. Not only welfare, but public baths may also be social good.

I feel that NOMURA Co.,Ltd. Ltd. has a diverse workforce, each with their own distinct personality, and possesses limitless potential. As a salesperson, I believe they have an invaluable asset, but because I handled everything myself in my previous job, I still haven't completely shaken off my tendency to try to solve everything on my own.

I think that knowing the abundant human resources in our company will increase the things we can do infinitely. While interacting with many people, I would like to think carefully about what kind of people and what kind of work I can do.”