I want to test my potential. Armed with knowledge from the construction industry, I take pride in leading production management on large-scale spaces.

Keiichi Yamazaki joined NOMURA Co.,Ltd. in 2020 as a mid-career hire. As a production manager, he is involved in large-scale projects with developers and general contractors. Armed with the knowledge he cultivated during his time at a general contractor, Yamazaki leads the site with careful communication and meticulous planning, and continues to support the realization of complex spaces. In this interview, Yamazaki talks about the realities and rewards of his work.

On the front lines of projects where sophisticated coordination is required. "Dialogue" and "planning" are essential for project success.

Yamazaki belongs to the 2nd Section, Product Direction 1 Department, 1st Business Division, Sales Promotion Headquarters. This department, consisting of 10 members, is mainly responsible for creating new spaces in collaboration with developers and general contractors.

Yamazaki: "Recently, there has been a significant increase in redevelopment projects, and I've been involved in many of these large-scale projects. I work on a single project for at least six months, and sometimes for more than a year."

Currently, I am in charge of two major projects, one of which is the construction of the new construction of the Papal Embassy. We carry out overall supervision and management in partnership with general contractors. The other is a construction plan for the partial floor of the "tallest building in Japan" due to the redevelopment of the area around Tokyo Station. This is also currently in the stage of planning in cooperation with the general contractor, but when the site starts operating, we plan to be stationed on site to manage the construction."

In situations involving many stakeholders and requiring sophisticated coordination, there are two main things that Yamazaki always keeps in mind to ensure the smooth running of projects on the front lines.

The first is to build solid relationships of trust by communicating with those around you.

Yamazaki: "We place the utmost importance on building mutual trust early on. If there is a lack of communication, problems on the ground will not be shared, and there is a risk that problems will only be discovered when they have grown larger. Our main objective is to prevent this from happening and to ensure that practical work proceeds smoothly."

To achieve this, I make a point of creating opportunities for close communication. For example, after work, we go out for a meal and talk not only about work, but also about personal topics and our daily interests, so that we can get to know each other's personalities. This helps create a comfortable distance for reporting and consulting."

The second is thorough schedule management to ensure the project is successfully completed.

Yamazaki: "Instead of postponing time-consuming tasks from the planning stage, we make it a point to address them proactively and create a schedule that allows for flexibility in the later stages. If the schedule becomes too tight in the later stages, it becomes difficult to respond flexibly to unexpected situations, so we always plan with a buffer in mind."

From the construction industry to the world of interiors. A new challenge in production management, where past knowledge can be put to good use.

▲ Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo

Yamazaki's career leading up to joining NOMURA Co.,Ltd. was primarily based on his experience in the construction industry.

Yamazaki: "For about 20 years, I have supervised new construction sites of reinforced concrete and steel structures, such as rental apartments, nursing homes, and kindergartens, and I have experienced all aspects of construction management, including process, safety, quality, and cost control."

Having gained experience supervising various construction sites, Yamazaki gradually developed a deeper interest in interiors.

Yamazaki: "At the general contractor, I was involved in various architectural projects, but gradually I became drawn to interiors work, which involves meticulously creating indoor spaces down to the smallest detail. Around that time, I learned that 'Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo' was a project by NOMURA Co.,Ltd., and I was amazed by its highly sophisticated and complex interiors, which strongly piqued my interest."

I wanted to take on a new challenge by creating a meticulously designed space unlike anything I'd experienced before. I was confident that I could gain even broader experience at NOMURA Co.,Ltd., which has worked on many famous projects, so I decided to join the company."

Yamazaki joined the company in 2020 as a mid-career hire. The challenge he faced after joining the company was "building collaboration with each department."

Yamazaki: "When you're out in the field for extended periods, your interactions with the company tend to decrease. Therefore, my first challenge was building relationships and figuring out which departments to consult about which tasks. Whenever I didn't understand something, I would first consult my supervisor, confirm the appropriate contact point, and then proactively reach out to people in each department to build relationships."

Thanks to the company culture that made it easy to consult with and cooperate with colleagues, Yamazaki gradually expanded his network within the company. While he was sometimes bewildered by the new environment, he says that his past experiences also served as a reliable support.

Yamazaki: "Because we understand the general contractor's perspective and the processes they require, we can proactively provide support and build relationships very smoothly. We actively make suggestions such as, 'This drawing will definitely be needed in the later stages,' or 'If we move forward with this, it will be easier for other subcontractors to get involved.'"

By continuing these efforts, we build strong trust in the entire team, and eventually people say, "We'll leave it to NOMURA Co.,Ltd.." It's an environment where I can utilize my experience from my time at a general contractor, and I find it rewarding to be able to contribute by putting my knowledge to good use.

Creating complex spaces is a continuous learning process. The real enjoyment lies in the process of bringing concept design to life.

▲The common areas of the high-class residence, which Yamazaki was in charge of.

Since joining the company, Yamazaki has worked on a wide range of projects. The genres of space he works on are truly diverse, such as the interiors construction of hotel VIP rooms, the interiors of the residence "Parkwell State Kamogawa", the large-scale office renovation of a foreign technology company, and even the construction of the commercial environment of a large complex in the city center.

Among these projects, the one that Yamazaki cites as a particularly successful experience where he felt a real sense of accomplishment is the high-class residence project completed in 2025. He successfully created a highly challenging space with a complex structure that features very few straight lines, and the project also received an internal company award.

Yamazaki: "There were many curved surfaces, and we had a lot of trouble accurately determining the position of the walls. We worked with our partner companies to determine the reference points and created detailed construction drawings to proceed. In particular, we had to think deeply about the installation of triangular structures on the ceiling, which was about 10 meters high, starting from the underlying structure. We thoroughly examined not only safety, but also how to install them efficiently and beautifully."

Ultimately, by combining triangular structures, light refracts, creating a truly impressive space with beautiful shadows. After numerous adjustments, the sense of relief and accomplishment when everything came together perfectly, just as I had envisioned, was immeasurable."

These continuous challenges in shaping highly complex spaces have become a source of new learning and motivation for Yamazaki.

Yamazaki: "Regarding the creation of the 'base' for attaching decorative and heavy objects, I'm tackling it while updating my existing knowledge. It's very refreshing and enjoyable to be exposed to new areas to learn, such as interiors construction methods and materials."

How can we make future maintenance easier and ensure safety over the long term? When new materials become available, we invite manufacturers to hold company-wide training sessions, and we constantly strive to update our knowledge."

Yamazaki says that the process of bringing concept design to life is what gives him a sense of fulfillment.

Yamazaki: "I experience the unique appeal of production management every day. Even for facilities with similar uses, the way they are made and the approach taken differ completely depending on the designer's intentions. There are new challenges with each project, and the appeal is that I can always approach them with a fresh perspective. I love watching the process of a space gradually taking shape from an empty space, and the sense of accomplishment when it's completed is exceptional."

I won't say "I can't." With pride as a specialist, I'll take on the next big stage.

Having overcome various challenges in different situations, Yamazaki has a goal he would like to take on in the future.

Yamazaki: "I'd like to take on a big project on an unprecedented scale. With the increasing number of redevelopment projects, I'd like to expand my scope construction beyond my current responsibilities and work on creating larger-scale spaces. I want to continue challenging myself to see how far I can go, pushing my limits and testing and expanding my potential."

At the heart of this challenge is the desire to always remain a specialist. I want to enhance my expertise and maintain an attitude of constantly exploring how to make difficult requests a reality, rather than simply saying "it can't be done." To that end, I intend to continue absorbing diverse knowledge."

While I express my passionate feelings, I also value my role within the team as a supportive member.

Yamazaki: "I believe my strength lies not in being on the front lines of the team, but in taking an overview of the whole picture and smoothly advancing the project. I want to play a supporting role, guiding less experienced members and passing on the knowledge and know-how I've cultivated."

From Yamazaki's perspective, the ideal candidate for NOMURA Co.,Ltd. and its production management positions is "someone who is positive, serious, and open-minded."

Yamazaki: "Even in difficult situations, you cannot improve the situation on the ground without a proactive and positive attitude. Also, you can only gain the trust of those involved by consistently providing sincere and honest service."

Furthermore, it's not just about being good at talking; you also need the ability to listen attentively and accurately grasp the other person's intentions. I believe that only by understanding what others truly want and having an open attitude that shows empathy can you effectively collaborate with those around you and guide a project in the right direction."

Finally, Yamazaki spoke about the appeal of working at NOMURA Co.,Ltd. as follows:

Yamazaki: "There are many cheerful and humorous people in the company, and while we approach our work seriously, there is a warm environment where we can easily consult with each other. Another attractive aspect is the truly diverse range of projects that each business unit handles. From entertainment facilities to cultural facilities, and even redeveloped commercial areas like the one I'm in charge of, the industries of our clients and the nature of the spaces are completely different. Because each business unit handles different spaces, the wide range of challenges that await us is what makes our company so appealing."

Based on his solid skills and expertise, Yamazaki will continue to take on the challenge of creating spaces on an unprecedented scale, with the pride of a specialist.

* The information provided is current as of February 2026.