Hiroshi Kawahara, President and CEO, Asahi Group Foods Co., Ltd.

We strive to make people smile and happy.

Hiroshi Kawahara, President and Representative Director of Asahi Group Foods Co., Ltd.

■ Profile

Born in 1966. After graduating from the Faculty of Economics at Keio University in 1990, he joined the Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan (now Shinsei Bank, Ltd.). He then worked at Chase Manhattan Bank (now JPMorgan Securities Co., Ltd.), General Electric International Inc., and Carlyle Japan LLC, before becoming Senior Managing Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer of Asahi Group Foods Co., Ltd. in 2020. He assumed his current position in March 2021.

Asahi Group Foods uses its versatility as a strength to bring smiles to people's faces in a variety of ways. President Kawahara, who has experience working for three foreign companies and took office in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, talks about his student days and his pride in his company. His desire to "make people smile and be happy" has remained constant throughout his life. We asked him for his message to students living in this era of change.

I was in a music band in middle school, high school and university. I was so devoted to music that I toured live music venues and even got offers from production companies. However, I didn't think I had the talent to make it as a professional, and just as I started to think seriously about my future, my father gave me a book. It was written by a management consultant, and it was the first time I learned about the world and how the economy works. It was so eye-opening that it made me realize what it meant to have the scales fall from my eyes. So I made up my mind to study economics in the US.

■ I want to do a job that makes people smile.

After returning from studying abroad, I started job hunting, hoping to experience a variety of different jobs and see happy faces, which is why I decided to work at a bank. Handling money means supporting people's dreams and goals. I really enjoyed my work there, but the bank went bankrupt, so I had to change jobs. I worked for three foreign-affiliated companies, but when I turned 50, I felt a strong desire to join a business company, carry out decisions on my own, and take responsibility for the results. So, by chance, I joined Asahi Group Foods. In my previous job, I was helping companies grow, but this time I felt like I was a part of the backbone of a company that was growing.
I have always worked with passion and fulfillment at every company and job I've had. No matter how busy I was, it never felt like a burden and I enjoyed and became absorbed in it. I think that's because it was a job that I truly wanted to do. My greatest joy is being able to make people happy through my work, and I consider myself truly fortunate to have been able to join this company. Our products create smiles in many ways. Of course, there are smiles that come from "eating delicious food," but there are also smiles that come from "free time" created by products that are close to people's lives. With issues such as caregiver fatigue becoming more serious, I believe that our senior foods can help create more time for family bonding. In this way, we deliver products that help increase people's smiles.

■ The strength of being "multi-sword" in times of change

Asahi Group Foods was formed in 2016 through the merger of several companies. Each company has top-tier popular products, but they need to further hone them. Having a wide range of weapons is a major advantage, especially in today's world. I don't think anyone could have imagined that the COVID-19 pandemic would change the social situation to this extent. Many new demands have arisen, such as online classes and online drinking parties. Our products are no exception, and with people's lives changing dramatically, the demand for them has disappeared. Take Mintia, for example. It is a refreshing candy that offers a minty flavor, but it was primarily consumed when out and about. Demand for it has declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted people from going out.
On the other hand, there is a growing trend to cherish "time at home," and freeze-dried foods and protein have been highly praised by customers.
If we just keep doing things the same way, we won't be able to keep up with the dramatically changing market. In today's world, having many good products is an advantage. It's better to have multiple swords. Even if one or two break, you can still fight with the remaining weapons. This is a strength that only our company can offer as an integrated company. We can say this because we sharpen each of our weapons and turn them into strengths.
In times like these, I would like to work with people who have a spirit of challenge and are eager to carve out a brighter future. However, there's no need to be too uptight. The most important thing is to be earnest and positive. All of our employees are like that. The food industry is stable, but change is still necessary. In an era of diversifying lifestyles, there is still much we can offer. That's why I want people who are eager to evolve and take on challenges, and who enjoy doing so, to join us.

■Message

When you decide to join a company, the company's outlook is unlikely to continue forever. That's why I want you to become working adults who can think about how you can excel in the field in front of you now. I'm sure you'll be fine if you've made it through two years of student life during this COVID-19 pandemic. Go about your job search and your new life as a working adult with the understanding that change will continue. We now live in an age where the world is closer to us, where we can connect with people from all over the world online. I hope you enjoy this time and broaden your horizons to the world!

Student Newspaper October 2022 Issue by Misaki Otsuka, 10th year student at Tokai University