Saishunkan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. President and CEO Masaaki Nishikawa

We value the smiles of our employees and aim to make our customers' dreams come true.

■ Profile

Born in Kumamoto Prefecture in 1973, he joined Saishunkan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and gained experience in a variety of areas, including advertising production and research and development, before becoming Director and General Manager of the Corporate Management Division and then Representative Director and President in July 2004. In 2007, Tsumugi Shokan, an office building with call center and headquarters functions, was relocated to Saishunkan Hilltop, where the manufacturing plant is located, creating an integrated manufacturing and sales system on the same site. Since 2011, the company has been expanding overseas, with Taiwan, Thailand, and other countries serving as bases.

President Nishikawa is the second generation to run Saishunkan Pharmaceuticals, following in the footsteps of his mother, the company's great founder. He wants to grow the company into one that is needed by society by listening to customers' concerns and working together to realize their dreams. We spoke to President Nishikawa, who has firmly planted roots in Kumamoto, the birthplace of the company, and is passionate about refining its products.

　Influenced by my older sister and with a desire to learn English, I went to America to study at high school. I joined Saishunkan Pharmaceuticals immediately after graduating from high school, but spending my student days in America was a valuable experience. Japan is an island nation, for better or worse. In America, there is an atmosphere of acceptance, without any unilateral criticism of any opinion, and I feel that I was able to learn a little about social diversity.

■ Always try to understand the other person's feelings

　Even as her son, I see my mother, the founder, as an incredible person who can do anything. I don't think I can do things the same way or achieve the same results. That's why I feel so strongly about working together with all the employees to make this a company that is loved by customers.
　One thing that many of the respectable business leaders I have contact with have in common is that they "care about their employees." Our company has recently started using a motivation cloud service to improve employee engagement with the company, and I think the idea that sales increase because employees are healthy is a wonderful one. When I took over as president, I decided to continue to provide delicious food for employees and their families, which means creating a company where employees continue to work with a smile. For me, seeing my employees' smiles is what makes my daily work worthwhile.
　I tend to forget difficult times as soon as I sleep. There have been many major events for Japan and our company, such as the Kumamoto earthquake in 2016 and the COVID-19 outbreak this year. However, there are some things that I would not have noticed if these disasters and infectious diseases had not occurred, so I try to see them as positives.
　For example, to prevent older employees from hurting their backs, all employees, including myself, use chairs that cost about 12 yen. However, when I started working remotely and sat in a chair at home, I realized how comfortable the chairs at work were. I was glad to see that my thoughts were conveyed once again.
　The most important thing I always try to keep in mind is to think about what makes me happy and what makes me sad, as if it were my own experience. For example, if we make a customer wait, I think we can respond quickly if each employee can put themselves in the customer's shoes. One of the things I value is always trying to put myself in the other person's shoes and respond accordingly.
　Furthermore, when starting a new business venture aimed at the outside world, we place great importance on the role each individual plays. When providing reconstruction support for the Kumamoto earthquake, we entrusted the revival of the business to trusted employees, which allowed us to provide unique support to employees and expand our efforts to the local community.

■ Creating a company that is needed by society, customers, and employees

　Now that I've taken over as the second generation, I can't afford to let our performance decline. However, I have no intention of increasing sales by several times or even tens of times from the current level. Rather, I want to make this a company that will continue for the next 100 or 200 years. To be a company that can survive for a long time, I believe it must be a company that is needed by many people. Our company does not simply sell products. I believe that our role is to solve customers' worries and pains through our products, and to realize their dreams beyond that, such as going on a trip or having fun with their grandchildren. I want to be a company that works together with our customers to reach their goals.
　Our company survives thanks to our customers' repeat purchases. Rather than blindly spending money to acquire new customers, we focus on listening and empathizing with each individual customer. For example, let's say many of our customers report experiencing the difficulties of menopause as they age. Menopause can often be a time of depression, so we believe it's crucial to listen carefully and understand their concerns. We want to be a company that delivers services to customers using unique methods and approaches, and we want each employee to have the same mindset. We hire new graduates every year, but no matter how talented someone is, it's difficult to succeed unless they share our philosophy and values ​​and are looking in the same direction. The most important thing is to be happy when our customers are happy. This is the mindset we look for in our students, more than just their skills.

■Message

　It seems like a lot of young people these days are searching for the right answer. But life isn't math, so I hope they'll just keep moving forward without worrying about making mistakes. Even if you make a mistake, listening to others will help you learn more, and receiving feedback will help you grow.
　Our company prohibits surveys. Each customer has a completely different situation and motivation, so I think it's strange to say, "This will sell" based on survey results. Society and companies are made up of a collection of people. Even when doing business, it's important to value the real voices of the field and customers.

Student Newspaper October 2020 Edition Keio University First-Year Student Miyu Ito