―What it your goal by walking on the road others dare not follow, such as focusing upon Dubai that is not familiar in Japan?

When I started my professional career, there was immense atmosphere under which the hierarchy in companies was decided by academic background and seniority. My friends and I struggled to reverse the obsolete trend and made it come true in 10 years. Recently, age, academic background, and gender does no longer matter.

In my first year at Hikari Tsushin, none had a mobile phone. 99 out of 100 persons recognized it unnecessary, and the same as PCs, emails, and providers. However, once realized, we became a company to make them diffused the most in Japan. Nobody was aware, but we envisioned “what the future should be” and created the new standard.

In the same way, I am so confident that we can make a huge achievement in Dubai and further ahead. In 10 years, it will be natural and standard that Japanese SMEs sell their products in Dubai.

―How do you view Dubai?

Dubai is a city with a scarcity of natural resources, little agriculture and limited manufacturing. Consequently, Dubai puts their efforts on streamlining social infrastructures, like education, regulatory laws, and logistic hubs to develop the city as a global hub for commerce and trade. If you ask questions to those on streets, they will give you the same answers.

―When you established JTC, was there anyone who supported your project?

Dubai is home to an aerotropolis named Dubai World Central (DWC). DWC, as the name implies, aims to be a global epicenter for commerce and trade. Adjacent to Jebel Ali Port, the Middle East’s largest port, home to Al Maktoum Airport, the largest airport when completed, and the venue of World Expo 2020, DWC will became a hub of people, goods, and money.

Dubai government set a theme of Expo 2020 as “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.” Ideas behind this theme derived from their aspiration to make world better by gathering people, goods, and information. We encourage Japanese SMEs to advance overseas for the sake of future generation, on one hand. On the other, regardless of economic reasons, we should help people in need. There is nothing better than making the world as convenient and safe as Japan with products and services of Japan.

―Do you have any formative experiences in looking out for rest of the countries in addition to pursuing your own interests?

It reminds me of my young age when I joined in the Boy Scouts. We asked for financial donations for countries in need. There are many countries without water and those confront with severe food shortages. We might be able to solve a part of their issues by bringing Japanese technology to them. We might be able to contribute to the world by providing Japanese medical care and equipment. We can do much more than we do now like the rest of the world had done to us. It is time for us to reciprocate a kindness and support given to Japan.

―Finally, can you tell us your goal in supporting companies to advance overseas?

I want this business to be crystallized in 100 years. So, I need to devote my life to this and pass the baton down to the successors and their successors of my team members today. “People” decide the future of this business. We have promising employees and if we have similar human assets 10,000 in numbers, we will achieve our goal in 1 year. In order to do so, I will watch “people” very carefully.