SUITS OF THE YEAR 2022

"SUITS OF THE YEAR 2022" was held on November 17, 2022.

The Suit of the Year award is co-sponsored by Nikkei Inc.'s N Brand Studio "NIKKEI STYLE Men's Fashion" and Begin Co., Ltd.'s "MEN'S EX." It recognizes people who "passionately challenge themselves in business or their own field, and have the talent and ambition to change the times."

■ Business Division
People who have made outstanding achievements in improving corporate value, reforming management, developing new products and services, etc.

Yoshinori Hirai, Representative Director, President and CEO, AGC Inc.
I am truly honored to receive this prestigious award. At first, I was surprised and wondered why I was chosen, but when I heard that it was an award that honored challenges, I realized that I have taken on many challenges in the business world, so I am extremely happy to receive this highest award.

Yoshikazu Nonomura, Chairman, Japan Professional Football League
I couldn't believe it was me. I had never been in a world where suits were a part of my life, but I started wearing suits in my 40s, and now in my 50s, I'm so happy to receive this award. It made me realize that good things happen when you work hard.

■ Innovation Division
People who are working to bring about meaningful change in society through new technologies and ideas

Miki Hirano, Co-CEO of Cinnamon AI
I believe my calling is to change the world, and clothing is one way to embody that. I would like to continue to innovate in a way that lives up to this prestigious award.

■Sports Division
A person who has achieved results with a spirit of challenge and fair play, and is admired around the world

Tokyo Yakult Swallows' Munetaka Murakami
I am honored to receive this prestigious award. I think I will have more opportunities to wear a suit in the future,
I would like to wear a cool suit and appear on TV.

■Arts & Culture Category
People who have inspired the world through art, culture, and entertainment

Actor and singer Ikusaburo Yamazaki
My life theme is to keep challenging myself, so this is very encouraging.
Even now, I am taking on various challenges in the entertainment industry, not just musicals, but also hosting, TV dramas, radio shows, etc., but I would like to continue to focus on creating musicals that originate in Japan.
I think wearing a suit shows respect to others. It makes you feel more focused and naturally improves your posture.

Interview: Jinto Tsunoda, second-year student at Seikei University

■Talk Session
About the Challenge
Hirai: As I took on many new business ventures, I lost hundreds of millions of yen at first. However, I didn't give up and kept thinking about why I failed at the time. I learned firsthand that one failure can lead to the next success. I hope that young people listening to this will continue to take on challenges without fear of failure. Failure will surely be useful somewhere.
Wagyu Mizuta: I also borrowed 12 yen from Yoshimoto when my salary was still only 500 yen. I wanted a hard disk recorder.
Wagyu's Kawanishi: He looks like he's thinking, "(Hirai) won't let me join you." (laughs)

Murakami: It's important to have goals when taking on a challenge. The higher the goal, the better. And if you don't have high expectations of yourself, it's all over. You can't do what you think you can't do.
Wagyu Mizuta: My goal is to maintain my weight throughout the year, and I've been able to achieve it every year.
Wagyu Kawanishi: People around me say that it would be better to aim for a reduction.
Wagyu Mizuta: You can't set goals that are too high.
Wagyu Kawanishi: That's why he's still 87kg.
Wagyu Mizuta: No, it's 78kg.
Murakami: I hope they set high goals (laughs).

"What prompted you to grow Cinnamon AI?"
Hirano: Cinnamon originally ran a mobile app business, raised 5000 million yen, and did business overseas, but suffered a complete defeat and returned to Japan.
However, the moment I told them I could do sales, their reactions changed completely. I think I've been able to get to where I am today thanks in part to the good fortune of having happened to study AI in graduate school.

"About achieving results and setbacks"
Nonomura: When I was a soccer player, I usually had a one-year contract, and if I didn't produce results within that year, I had no choice but to think about how I could survive. Compared to those days, I'm actually a little happy that I'm now on a two-year contract as the club president. I grew up competing, so even now I try to take things seriously and produce results, so much so that I can say it doesn't matter if it ends at any time. I believe that soccer is a work of art that requires the quality of the field, including the players, the specs of the stadium, and the passion of the fans. Now that the ban on cheering has finally been lifted, I think the enthusiasm we had before COVID-2 has returned. I hope to quickly return to a soccer scene where we can play better games on the weekends, cheering together with local residents and supporters.

Murakami: Rather than feeling frustrated, there were many times when I felt like I didn't want to go to the stadium. However, the only way to recover from the frustrations of baseball is on the field. I always work hard, thinking that the results are everything.

"How to spend your holidays"
Hirai: I play golf and spend time with my family. The time I cherish the most is the evenings when my family is asleep. I think about the company while drinking Scotch, and then I go to sleep after making a decision: "I've decided on this!"
Wagyu Mizuta: I've also recently become addicted to Scotch, so it's the same for me. Since I turned 40, I've been drinking Scotch and thinking about what I'm going to eat the next day while I go to bed, so I feel a sense of affinity with him.
Wagyu Kawanishi: Hirai-san has already put down the microphone, so I think he's probably thinking he'd rather not have anything to do with this person (laughs). I don't think they were together.

"About the upcoming challenge"
Hirano: My mission is to "change the world." I want to bring about transformation through knowledge.
Nonomura: I think I will fail many times in the future, so I want to become someone who can bounce back quickly.
Hirai: I would like to continue creating new businesses. However, I want to devote myself to "human resource development" so that the next generation can take on the challenge of going beyond my current businesses.
Murakami: I want to set high goals and work hard, expecting high things from myself, so that I can reach the next stage.
Wagyu Mizuta: I think a healthy mind and body are essential for taking on a challenge. So please remember to wash your hands and gargle.
Wagyu's Kawanishi: That's the answer of an elementary school student (laughs). But I'm glad that you all received the award this year. That's because we'll be among the award winners next year, so there will be one spot left for you all (laughs). Congratulations to everyone who won this year.

Interview: Miyata Ayako, 4th year student at Tsuda University

■Thoughts on attending the SUITS OF THE YEAR 2022 Awards Ceremony
The recipients of this award are people who are passionate about their goals and constantly challenge themselves, and they looked especially radiant in their suits. It's not easy to set high goals and take on challenges without fear of failure. However, like the award recipients, I want to become a member of society who has the determination to never give up and who uses their goals as their driving force. What really stood out to me this time was what Yoshinori Hirai said: "Although we may have a record of successes, behind the scenes there have been countless failures, some of which have resulted in the loss of hundreds of millions of yen." His message to young people to take on challenges without fear of failure, and to analyze and learn from them, really resonated with me. I have had many experiences where I hesitated due to fear of failure and missed opportunities, so I will keep these words in mind as I continue to work hard. Thank you very much.　
Rimi Ogawa, second-year student at Gakushuin Women's College

The SUITS OF THE YEAR award recognizes those who have passionately taken on challenges in business or their own fields. I realized how attractive the suits and watches of the award winners are, allowing you to express your "personal color" by choosing the right color and size. I also felt that successful people, regardless of their field, be it business or sports, continue to take on challenges even when they fail. Particularly impressive was the story of "the courage to take a step forward" told by Ikusaburo Yamazaki, winner of the Arts & Culture award. He went abroad to study at age 16, and as the only Asian student among 2000 students, he experienced discrimination. However, he decided to take the plunge and participate in a dance party, which subsequently made his life more enjoyable. I'm sure there will be many obstacles ahead of me once I enter the workforce, but like the award winners, I want to continue challenging myself without fear of failure. And I hope to one day be able to speak on stage as an award winner.
Chuo Gakuin University 4th year student Hayato Tane