Ryo Sakon gained a series of work experiences at a display company and joined NOMURA in 2021 as an experienced employee. 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 for yourself." He talks about the joys of his work and the values he holds dear.
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.”
With multiple projects underway simultaneously, one project that Sakon is particularly focused on is vitalization business accompanying the redevelopment of Senri Central Park.
Sakon: "The aim of this project is to revitalize the surrounding area, including the park. A total of eight companies, including the representative company and constituent companies, are working to create a space that feels integrated with the park. There are three projects: vitalization business, revenue facility, and parking lot. Of these, our main focus is on the revenue facility project. In addition to concept design, planning, and construction of the facility, we are involved from the creation of the business scheme, such as considering how it should be as a revenue facility and assigning food and beverage and retail businesses."
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."
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 planning, concept design, construction, cost estimation, and site management, mainly for commercial facilities. I was on-site from morning until night, and was always getting told off by the craftsmen. At our company, the work is divided into sales, design, construction, etc., but I think the experience I have cultivated as a generalist is invaluable, as I can communicate with them while gaining a deep understanding of their needs when assigning them to designers and engineers."
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 an invitation to work at NOMURA I had never thought about changing jobs, but NOMURA is the largest company in the industry. As I listened to what they had to say, I began to believe that they handle a wide range of businesses, and that there was work that I could only do and experience that I could only get 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.”
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▲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: "I think it's important to create some space in both the soft and hard aspects of a facility in order to foster attachment to it. We are conscious of not leaving any marks left by the developers, designers, or construction. For example, we ask local residents to paint the walls of the facility and plan events for the park together with them. I think that getting local residents involved in the creation process and actively participating in it will help foster attachment to the facility."
As part of vitalization business, Sakon is holding various events, including courses to discover new ways to use the park, and is also currently planning events centered around local residents that will utilize the park's resources. He enjoys chatting with local residents and creating events together. His efforts to become a kind of hub for the local community and get closer to local residents have only just begun.
(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."
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▲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.
NOMURA 's human resources are diverse, each with their own character, and I feel that they have infinite possibilities. I think that I have the perfect weapon for a sales job, but in my previous job I did everything by myself, and even now I still have the tendency to try to solve things 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.”
Salesperson at NOMURA Ltd. / First-class architect. Based on the concept of creating and enjoying the future, he is involved in commercial, leisure and welfare facilities, regional revitalization, etc. in the Western Japan area. Currently, as the project leader of the "Senri Central Park vitalization business," he is in charge of coordinating the related companies and artists, and overseeing the overall project.
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