column

Employee Spotlight｜Masahiro Takaki – Work Edition – OKUDAYA CONNECT Blog

2025.8.31

Hello, and thank you for visiting OKUDAYA CONNECT!

In this article, we feature Mr. Masahiro Takaki from the General Affairs Department at Okudaya Giken Co., Ltd. As we launch our owned media initiative, Mr. Takaki shares insights into his career journey as well as behind-the-scenes stories from his current role in corporate communications. We invite you to read through to the end to hear his thoughts as he takes on new challenges in the manufacturing industry.

◆ Current Role and Career Background

I joined Okudaya Giken as a new graduate and will celebrate my 10th work anniversary in July 2025. Currently, I belong to the General Affairs Department, where I handle not only typical administrative duties but also manage company events, coordinate with various departments, and serve as a liaison across functions.

Recently, I had the honor of serving as the MC for our “90th Anniversary Celebration” held in October 2024 at the Shiroyama Hotel in Kagoshima. It was a very memorable and valuable experience.

When I first joined the company, I was assigned not to General Affairs but to the “Service Section – Parts Division,” where I was responsible for shipping repair parts. Although I was initially anxious due to my limited knowledge, the support of my senior colleagues helped me gradually adapt to the work.

In my second year, I transferred to the “Materials Department,” where I was in charge of procurement, internal logistics, inventory control, ordering materials, and coordinating both inside and outside the company. The four and a half years I spent there greatly contribute to my current work.

◆ The Role of General Affairs and Public Relations

In addition to my General Affairs duties, I am also involved in PR activities. My style is to first receive the raw “material” of a project idea, take time to understand it, and then adapt and communicate it based on the target audience and platform.

Since my audience includes both internal and external stakeholders, I focus on keeping the content clear and easy to understand. Providing too much information at once can discourage readers or viewers, so I try to tailor the message to suit modern communication trends.

For instance, as short videos have become mainstream on platforms like YouTube, the ability to “communicate effectively in a short time” has become increasingly important. While I tend to be formal in writing, I aim to use approachable and easy-to-understand language whenever possible.

◆ Behind the Scenes of PR and “Filming Moments”

I often do voice-overs (narration) for our video content, and some of those experiences have been truly unforgettable.

For instance, in a staff introduction video featuring Mr. Shinzawa, there was a line that read, “Shinzawa, whose favorite actress is Kasumi Mori,” which I had to read in a serious tone. I couldn’t stop laughing and ended up needing several takes (laughs).

In another case, during the filming of a video introducing our Probox vehicle, someone on-site spontaneously suggested, “Wouldn’t it be funny if someone is inside?” and we ended up shooting multiple versions based on that idea.

Divine ideas and impromptu moments like these really do happen. In the end, the video turned out to be “twice as enjoyable” for viewers, which I think was a wonderful outcome.

◆ Communication and Empathy

In PR work, it’s not just about “sending messages,” but also about having the right “attitude to listen.”

For instance, I make an effort to understand someone’s personality through casual conversations and adjust my tone depending on who I’m speaking to.

Whenever I need to convey something important, I always consider, “How will the other person feel if I say it this way?” Since people interpret messages differently, I believe it’s crucial to think carefully about how we communicate—this isn’t just important in PR but applies to all kinds of work

◆ Thoughts on OKUDAYA CONNECT

To me, OKUDAYA CONNECT represents “a new face of Okudaya Giken.”

I believe that for a manufacturing company to engage in information sharing in this way sets an example of what modern corporations should aim for.

Looking ahead, we hope to involve our group companies and overseas offices, expanding this platform into something that extend throughout the entire organization.

We also look forward to the participation of readers like you—together, let’s bring new ideas and content to life!

Moving forward, I hope to continue drawing on my past experiences, while embracing new challenges. At the same time, I want to honor the culture built by those before me and contribute to creating an even better work environment.