After graduating from university, I spent about 11 years in finance roles at a digital marketing firm and a foreign-owned healthcare company. When considering the next step in my career, I wanted to prioritize companies that contribute to society. Having seen my family struggling with cancer, I place great value on the ability to live a healthy life. That’s why I wanted to stay in the healthcare industry and use my experience to contribute to the global business operation and expansion of a Japanese company. Daiichi Sankyo was the perfect match.
My first assignment was in the Corporate Planning Department, where I worked in a team that focused primarily on non-financial aspects of corporate management, such as organizing executive meetings and supporting organizational transformation. I later transferred to the budget management group, where I handled routine operations while also getting involved in the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system renewal that is part of Project 4D. Since April 2024, I’ve been working full-time on the project as an expatriate in Germany.
I’ve always wanted to gain international experience and work in an environment shaped by different cultures and perspectives, so I was thrilled to be given this opportunity so early in my time at the company.
Project 4D aims to standardize data generated from global business processes and integrate management information by overhauling our ERP system. From a budget management standpoint, I’m involved in driving the project by helping design the system and explore new process flows. The system we’re introducing could be in use for the next 10 or even 20 years.
Ideally, we’d take our time to carefully find the best solutions, but given the rapid pace of our business expansion, we need to ensure the management foundation evolves in step with it. There's certainly pressure to stay on schedule and to know that the systems we’re building will shape the working environment for many future employees. But that’s also what makes this work deeply rewarding.
Collaborating with other regions to make Project 4D a reality
It’s been more than a year since I relocated to DSE, and I haven’t felt a significant cultural gap compared to working in Japan. My current goal is to establish a system where essential management information can be accessed globally, quickly and in a well-organized manner. The project is now entering a critical phase, and members are coming together from Japan, the U.S., and across Europe. I try to be mindful of not creating a divide between headquarters and local subsidiaries, and I make a conscious effort to understand local contexts and show respect for the perspectives of the people who work there.
Many colleagues have long tenures within the Daiichi Sankyo Group, and by showing a willingness to learn, I’ve found they’re more open to sharing not just current insights but also the historical background behind them. That makes it easier to exchange ideas.
While there are cultural differences in how discussions are conducted and meetings are run, many of us are working in English as a second language, which actually makes communication feel less intimidating. Sometimes it's hard to fully express what we mean, but I enjoy the challenge and try to use visual aids like slides and charts to bridge the gap.
Respecting history and embracing change: What lies beyond finance
Daiichi Sankyo is in the midst of big change, both in its business environment and the management foundation supporting it. I believe the company is looking for people who can approach these changes positively and respond with flexibility. At the same time, the Daiichi Sankyo group of companies has a long history, even from before the merger, and that legacy is what makes today’s transformation possible.
What I personally value most in my work is the awareness of being actually contributing to society. That’s not always easy to see in a finance-centric role, but by keeping in mind how my work supports the company as a whole, which ultimately connects to people’s health, I can avoid getting caught up in short-term thinking and instead focus on creating value at a broader level.
My immediate goal is to see Project 4D through to completion. After that, I aim to keep contributing to the Daiichi Sankyo Group’s finance operations and help enhance global health and quality of life.