Director Interview: Yuichi Kano

Please share your aspirations upon assuming the position of Director.

I feel a great sense of responsibility having been entrusted with the important role of director.

In this era of rapid change, I believe that maintaining the status quo leads to regression.
That is precisely why I want to build a strong management structure that can steadily and boldly take the 'next step' for KIMOTO's continued sustainable growth.

We will listen carefully to the voices from the front lines, make swift decisions, and devote ourselves fully to enhancing corporate value.

Please tell us about your mission and what you value in achieving it.

My mission is to better connect the development and manufacturing functions across the entire group and further strengthen KIMOTO's foundation as a technology development company.

I believe that, in addition to promoting DX, the role of the newly established DCX this term will be crucial in this endeavor.
DCX is an organization that promotes DX, work style reform, and communication reform across departments.

Through these efforts, I want to build a framework where development and manufacturing sites can collaborate more than ever before to create new value.

To achieve this, what I want to prioritize above all is communication that transcends departmental barriers.
I want to create an environment where we can share challenges through dialogue and everyone can face the same direction and take on challenges.

Please tell us about any beliefs or values that have been cherished in your work so far.

I have always valued not making judgments based solely on numbers or the contents of reports.

What is happening?
What are the difficulties?

I believe the answer always lies in the 'field' or 'front lines'.
Only by seeing with one's own eyes and sensing firsthand can one take the first step toward truly solving the problem.
This philosophy of 'genbutsu genba' (actual items, actual place) will never change.

Please tell us about any particularly memorable events from your work so far.

When I was in sales, there was a time when a proposal I desperately thought through on my own to address a customer's problem was adopted.

The joy I felt when the customer later told me, 'It was really helpful, thank you,' is something I still remember.

The sense of accomplishment and happiness I felt at that time fuels my passion for my current work.

Please share your vision for the kind of KIMOTO you want to build.

What I aim for is a KIMOTO with good communication where everyone can freely exchange opinions regardless of position or department.

I want to take on this kind of challenge.
I want to improve this area.

Each individual's thoughts like these are respected, and new value emerges from lively discussions.
I want to make it a company with high psychological safety, where everyone is a protagonist and can discuss the future together.

A moment in the beloved Minato Mirai area.

Profile

1998 Joined the company, Nagoya Office, Sales Group 2
2003 Graphics Sales Department, Sales Group 1
2011 Sales Headquarters, Windows Project
2015 Sales Headquarters, Marketing Group
2017 Sales Headquarters, MD Group
2018 Sales Headquarters, Prosave™ Project
2020 Sales Headquarters, IoT-7 Marketing Manager
2021 Deputy General Manager of Sales, concurrently Deputy Center Manager of Customer Center
2022 Sales Headquarters, General Manager and Customer Center Captain
2026 Global Tech Director

How to spend your private time

On my days off, spending time going out with my four-year-old son, who loves trains, is my greatest source of relaxation.
Lately, I've been switching gears from work by staying active, accompanying him as he practices riding his bike or running around together in the park.

Also, during my alone time, it's my daily routine to listen to my favorite radio programs on "radiko".
These moments of listening to people's stories or music give my mind space and fresh energy.

*The above information is as of the time of the interview (May 2026).