Yukihiro Yamura, Human Resources Development Office, Human Resources Department, Toho Co., Ltd.

Toho Co., Ltd. Human Resources Department, Human Resources Development Office　Yukihiro Yamura(Yukihiro Yamura)

■ Profile

He joined the company as a new graduate in 2021. During his student days, he was a member of the university's ice hockey club and majored in the history of Western political thought in his seminars. As a new employee, he worked in the film sales department, promoting films in conjunction with movie theaters, managing posters and flyers, and analyzing film viewer surveys. He was then transferred to the human resources department and was in charge of new graduate recruitment.

Toho Co., Ltd.
The company is currently developing its business in four areas: film, animation, theater, and real estate. Based on its corporate mission of "providing wholesome entertainment to the masses," the company continues to plan for the future.

■Please tell us about the characteristics of the industry.

Our company's main business is the film industry, and we handle everything from production to advertising, sales, and secondary use. We have held the top share in domestic distribution (advertising and sales) for 20 consecutive years. We also operate in four other pillars: animation, theater, and real estate. What is important to us in our work is making films that will add something extra to the lives of those who watch them, and that everyone will find entertaining. Currently, Toho is working towards its 100th anniversary with a growth strategy called "TOHO VISION 2032," and is expanding all of its businesses globally. A stage production of "Spirited Away" is already scheduled for London, England.

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

I want people who can absorb everything I teach like a sponge and paint on a blank canvas. And they need to have a love of entertainment. If you don't have the desire to move people through entertainment or to do something with it, I think you'll have a gap after joining the company. Your job primarily involves planning and promotion. Planning requires content knowledge and coordination skills. When someone mentions a certain image from a previous film, you need to respond instantly. Planning a new film often relies on the characteristics of previous works, their results, and box office revenue, so content knowledge is essential. Also, since the producer's job is to bring together the many people listed in the credits, coordination skills are an important skill. Promotion requires a keen sense of direction and communication skills. It's important to stay up to date on current trends. Simply put, your job is to build fan enthusiasm and hype the cast up leading up to the release date. It's like being on the executive committee for a school festival.

■Message to students

Your job has a direct impact on your happiness in life, so it's important to choose it carefully. It's said that you'll work about 10 hours from the time you enter the workforce until you retire. That's why how much you enjoy your work is directly linked to your happiness in life. Make sure you find a company that's right for you.

Student Newspaper April 1, 2024 Issue, Nihon University 4th Year Student, Maho Wada