Driving Decarbonization Innovation
In an Environment with a High Degree of Autonomy

What Made You Consider Changing Careers?

After working for a Japanese company for about eight years, I began to think that I wanted to find a job where I could put my native Chinese language skills to use. This was what prompted me to consider changing careers.

What Made You Decide to Join HighChem?

I was strongly attracted to HighChem’s technological capabilities. When I joined the company, HighChem was expanding its business significantly, particularly around SEG® technology, which produces ethylene glycol from syngas, and was actively looking for people with the necessary expertise. I had previous experience working on technical processes and licensing at my former company, so the fact that my experience matched what HighChem was looking for was a major factor in my decision to join.

What Does Your Current Role Involve?

The C1 Business Division is currently working on the development of CO/CO₂-related technologies based on our core in-house ethylene glycol technology. In particular, we are advancing projects related to the three major approaches to decarbonization: CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization), biotechnology, and recycling.

Our national projects include “Technology Development for Producing Para-Xylene from CO₂” and “Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from Non-Standard Coconuts.” We are also advancing in-house projects focused on developing chemicals using biotechnology and biodegradable controlled-release fertilizers. In addition, I am involved in planning new initiatives related to biodegradable chemicals and green chemicals. My main responsibilities are to develop new projects and advance existing ones while continuously incorporating new knowledge and industry trends.

How Much Autonomy Do You Have in Your Current Role?

For the projects I am responsible for, I have a high degree of autonomy and can move forward based on directions and approaches that I develop myself. It is relatively uncommon to have this level of autonomy at a typical large Japanese company. At the same time, I sometimes find myself wondering whether my decisions are truly the right ones or whether they might be misunderstood by others. When I was a new graduate, my supervisor once told me, “Once you become a team leader, you need to constantly ask yourself whether the way you are moving things forward is the right one.” Only now do I truly understand the weight of those words.

What Do You Value Most in Your Work?

I value the connections I build with people. At HighChem, we believe that even when the work in front of us does not lead directly to tangible results, building trust with others is itself an achievement. In fact, once you have established a relationship of trust, it can lead to results in completely different projects.

This is particularly important because HighChem is involved in a great deal of business with China, and at first, it was often challenging to earn the trust of customers in Japan. However, by approaching each project with sincerity and professionalism, we have gradually earned the trust of many companies. Some of these projects are even part of national initiatives. I have come to realize that the opportunities you see can be completely different when you value the connections you build with people.

Are There Any Moments When You Feel You Are Making Use of Your Previous Experience and Skills?

I worked as a process engineer at my previous company, so I am able to make full use of that experience and expertise when learning about new technologies. I am also currently involved in R&D-related work, where I often find opportunities to apply the knowledge and expertise I developed through my previous experience with chemical plants.

What New Things Have You Learned Since Joining HighChem?

I have learned to think more consciously about how money moves through a business.
At my previous company, I worked as a process engineer, with my primary mission being to operate plants safely and efficiently by advancing technologies and improving efficiency. As a result, I did not give much thought to the profits that my improvements could generate for the company.

At HighChem, on the other hand, I have been entrusted with developing new businesses, which requires me to think for myself about how to create business opportunities and develop business models that can contribute to the company’s performance. I feel that my biggest learning experience has been becoming more conscious of how to create a business model that actually generates profits through my own work.

What Is the Culture and Work Environment Like at HighChem?

I feel that HighChem offers a highly flexible work environment, with very open and equal relationships between employees and their supervisors. Another major strength of our C1 Business Division is that it brings together professionals with a wide range of expertise to form a team. Since each member has different strengths, we can leverage our respective areas of expertise and approach projects from our own unique perspectives.

Because each project involves developing a new business, the risk of failure can be relatively high. However, by approaching challenges from diverse perspectives, we can sometimes come up with solutions that we would never have thought of otherwise. I believe that this flexible culture, which allows us to make the most of our diverse perspectives, is one of our greatest strengths.

What Kind of People Do You Think Can Thrive at HighChem?

I believe that people who are eager to take on new challenges and can take initiative are well suited to thrive at HighChem. For those who have developed these fundamental skills in their current roles and want to take on new challenges, such as “turning zero into one,” I feel that HighChem provides an excellent platform for doing so.

People who can drive projects forward from perspectives that differ from those of others can also make the most of their strengths here. By bringing diverse perspectives and expanding the business in new and unexplored directions, I believe they can make a significant contribution to the company’s growth.

What Do You Think of HighChem’s Evaluation and Compensation System?

Of course, work that directly contributes to business performance is taken into account in evaluations. At the same time, HighChem also recognizes contributions that may not immediately translate into financial results, such as those that help enhance the company’s brand value, even when their impact is less visible.

For those of us involved in new business development, I find this evaluation system particularly valuable and encouraging.