Business Intelligence

Y.Y. (From Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture)
Professional Background: National Civil Servant (General Position)

To achieve the business expansion goals set out in our Medium-Term Management Plan (ONE2030), I conduct market research to secure increased cargo volume for ONE and provide reports to our Singapore headquarters.

Specifically, I am responsible for researching commodity markets to identify which cargoes are increasing in which regions, analyzing competitors, and planning and drafting external articles aimed at new customer acquisition.

For instance, regarding the global expansion of Electric Vehicle (EV) production, I analyze relevant data while formulating hypotheses on points such as “in which regions demand is growing,” “which manufacturers are expanding production in which areas,” and “what types of cargo, such as auto parts, are moving from where to where.” Ultimately, I compile these insights into reports that include identification of potential target customers. These reports are shared company-wide, including with Trade Management at headquarters and sales teams in various countries, serving as a basis for decision-making in service design and sales strategy.

Mission

As our department was established relatively recently, I believe our primary mission at this stage is to enhance the quality of our output and become a team that the Global Headquarters (GHQ) can fully rely on.

I aim to contribute to the organization by providing more practical and valuable information, while remaining constantly mindful of how our reports are utilized in actual decision-making.

Challenges and Solutions

The challenge I perceive is the distance from the front lines. Being physically remote from the Singapore headquarters and regional sales offices, there is a risk of failing to fully grasp front-line issues and needs if I only focus on desk work.

To address this, I actively seek opportunities for interviews when visiting Singapore and suggest online meetings as needed to increase communication and bridge the gap with the front lines. Recently, as a trial, we have begun involving relevant teams at headquarters in the report creation process itself, aiming to improve the quality of our output through deeper collaboration.

The Most Memorable Experience

About six months after joining the company, I was given the opportunity to stay at the Singapore headquarters for one month to undergo training.

Stepping away from my usual research duties, I gained hands-on experience in daily container ship operations. This included “Space Control,” which involves the efficient and appropriate allocation and management of limited vessel capacity, and “Pricing,” which involves determining freight rates for individual transport requests and providing quotes to customers.

As someone with no prior experience in the shipping industry, this significantly enhanced my understanding (resolution) of the container ship business and provided a great opportunity to see firsthand how headquarters staff approach their work.

Furthermore, being able to interact directly with many employees throughout my stay has, I believe, broadened the scope of future collaboration in my work.

Background

I left Nagasaki upon entering university and, after graduating, served as a national civil servant (general position) for approximately nine years. Based in Tokyo, with some regional assignments, I was involved in work that supports society and the economy through institutional frameworks such as laws and budgets, specifically in logistics and transportation policy.

Because my work dealt with macro-level issues, I was mindful of building “visible relationships”—listening directly to those on the front lines and visiting sites in person—to ensure the systems we created were both practical and effectively utilized. I intend to continue valuing this perspective in my current role.

Why ONE DEJIMA?

At the time, I was at a crossroads, deciding whether to return to Tokyo from my assignment in Sendai. While I had a strong interest in the public sector and had been working as a civil servant, I was also drawn to the idea of working in the private sector or in my hometown of Nagasaki. Since my wife, who is also from Nagasaki, hoped to work there someday, I began gathering information with a “let’s give it a try” mindset, thinking, “if I can find an environment in Nagasaki where I can work with a similar level of satisfaction…” That was when I encountered ONE DEJIMA.

Through opportunities to interview with various people, my interest in the global business of container shipping grew. I was also attracted by the prospect of being involved in the growth of a newly established company, which led to my decision to join.

Beyond Expectations

As mentioned above, being originally from Nagasaki was one of my reasons for joining ONE DEJIMA. However, upon joining, I was pleasantly surprised to find that many employees did not necessarily have prior ties to Nagasaki, and that the company continues to receive numerous applications from both outside the prefecture and abroad. As a Nagasaki native, this has been a delightful surprise.

Changes Since Joining

In my previous career, I had no experience in global fields, as my roles focused on specific domestic industries and regions. Now, through the “filter” of container ships, I engage with diverse industries from countries all over the world every day, and the fields I encounter daily have changed significantly (haha).

In a practical sense, I also feel like I am acquiring new perspectives and skills—whether it’s learning marketing mindsets from my team members or using English on a regular basis.

The Uniqueness of ONE DEJIMA

In line with our mission to “Empower global business from Nagasaki,” I believe the environment that allows one to engage in global business while being based in Nagasaki is a compelling feature.

Moreover, the fact that we have a diverse pool of talent—not only those with experience in directly related industries like shipping companies, forwarders, and shipbuilders, but also individuals from financial institutions, trading houses, manufacturers, and the advertising industry—provides a wealth of learning opportunities and is a major part of the company’s appeal.

Introduction to ONE DEJIMA Culture

As a company that has only recently been established, we have implemented a project called the “A3 Workshop.” In this program, we identify projects essential for the company’s growth—such as HR systems, training programs, and internal communication—and every employee gets involved in at least one project, working across team boundaries. Through this framework, various bottom-up initiatives are progressing, ranging from HR system improvements to broadcasting of an internal radio program. I find it to be an interesting culture that leverages our diverse backgrounds.

Furthermore, we host a community-oriented event called “DEJIMA SALON,” where we regularly invite external guest speakers and participants for knowledge sharing. I feel there is a strong culture of creating new value while connecting with people both inside and outside the company.

Empowering global business from Nagasaki through “Quality” × “Front-line Insight.”

By fostering “face-to-face” communication, we deeply understand the needs on the ground and continually pursue quality that exceeds expectations.

A Message to Future Colleagues

At ONE DEJIMA, you can thrive on a global stage alongside diverse and inspiring colleagues while being based in the unique location of Nagasaki. We look forward to meeting individuals who are eager to help us drive our business forward together.