At K&L, I have mainly focused on overseas operations. Initially, I was involved in international print advertising media, translating English-language content. We were expanding into countries such as France, Italy and Germany. When I was 35, winning first place in a marketing strategy competition for South-East Asia led to the opening of K&L’s office in Singapore. Subsequently, we went on to establish branch offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai as well. Through these valuable experiences, I learnt how to run a successful business on a global scale, and I believe this ultimately led to my career as President.

Sixty years is quite an achievement, isn’t it? I believe that K&L has come this far because we have pursued success in our business with great determination and have approached every single action with the utmost seriousness. K&L values its growth as a communications agency and the interpersonal relationships we have cultivated. I am convinced that this approach will continue to underpin K&L’s success in the future.

K&L’s philosophy has always evolved whilst fostering both diversity and a sense of unity. Whether with our employees or our clients, we have upheld our corporate philosophy by communicating and connecting with one another without prejudice. We believe that by looking each other in the eye and engaging in conversation, we create an environment where creativity flourishes and ideas blossom.

As a company, we have successfully balanced the commercial aspects of advertising with our commitment to fostering innovation and creativity. By always striving to offer proposals that go beyond simply selling products, we have earned the trust of our clients.

There are so many that it’s difficult to choose just one, but I suppose the advertising competition in South-East Asia that led to the opening of our Singapore branch is the one that stands out most in my memory. We spent an entire summer working on a promotional campaign for an audio company.

After the presentation, we returned to Tokyo to await the results. I still cannot forget that moment to this day. Back then, faxes were still the main form of communication, and as the machine clattered away, it printed out on A4 paper the news that our idea had been accepted. Three days later, we set off for Singapore. This marked the beginning of my seven-year stint based in Singapore.

I believe this is because every single employee at K&L, myself included, has always been full of curiosity and has maintained a desire to ‘learn more and connect further’—even beyond our immediate surroundings. Thanks to this quality, we have been able to build strong and lasting relationships with clients around the world. We also place great importance on open communication, adaptability and cross-cultural sensitivity. Through these qualities, we have been able to understand and respond to the specific needs of diverse markets. We make a point of connecting with people on a personal level first; it is these connections that foster deep relationships of trust with a wide range of individuals.

At the heart of our vision lies the exploration of the unknown. This vision drives our decisions and investments. By wholeheartedly embracing the trends of global interconnection, we open the door to innovation, cultural exchange and meaningful collaboration, which will undoubtedly lead to future success. I myself approach everything with a willingness to learn, cherish connections and constantly seek better ways to express myself. I hope to welcome people who share this vision to K&L.