Sony Music Group Human Resources Division, Human Resources Development Department, Recruitment Planning Division 1, Leo Yanagihara

Sony Music Group Human Resources Headquarters, Human Resources Development Department, Recruitment Planning Section 1　Leo Yanagihara(Leo Yanagihara)

■ Profile
Joined Sony Music Communications in 2014.
He was in charge of producing and selling artist goods at the company "Kuso Solutions." After that, he started running a fan club.
He has experience in sales and is currently involved in recruitment, focusing on new graduate and mid-career recruitment.

Sony Music Group
Entertainment work involves quickly grasping the needs of society and connecting the "individuality" of artists and creators with the "sensitivities" of customers in order to give shape to their ideas.

■Please tell us about the characteristics of your business.

I think it's an industry that requires adapting to all kinds of changes. For example, in the music industry, the number of people using CDs, which was mainstream 20 to 30 years ago, is declining, while the number of people using streaming services is increasing rapidly. Customer needs change rapidly. Just when you thought idols were popular, the city pop boom hits, and I think it's an especially fluid world compared to many other industries.
As you can see, this industry is susceptible to social influences, both in good and bad ways. Since it is not possible to predict all of these changes and needs, the key is how quickly you can respond to change.

■Please tell us the type of student you are looking for

In the entertainment world, nothing can be accomplished alone, so communication skills and the ability to work together are extremely important. This is because many people are involved in creating a single work, and multiple conversations are necessary to give shape to each person's ideas.
Also, valuing your own individuality and having a passion for what you do are great strengths when working in this industry. Many people who are interested in the entertainment industry are people who love entertainment to begin with. Especially during interviews, when you see them talking about their favorite works, it feels like they shine brightly. I hope that even after you get a job, you don't just focus on work, but continue to have this kind of mindset.
I believe the reason we are necessary in this industry is that in order to create better works, we must grasp the needs of society and connect the "individuality" of artists and creators with the "sensitivities" of customers. Working here is not always fun, but I think it is a very rewarding job.

■Message to students

Once you enter the workforce, you have less time to move freely, both physically and mentally. Even if you're interested, the hurdles of starting something new from scratch are naturally high. That's why I think it's a good idea to not be afraid to try anything that interests you even slightly while you're a student. Make the most of your time and expand your horizons.

Student Newspaper, April 1, 2024 Issue, International Christian University, First Year Student, Waka Watanabe