30 Men Shaping the Future: What Does Building Your Professional Niche Mean? (Part 1)

Smartphones have become indispensable in our lives.
It's no exaggeration to say that without smartphones, our current way of life would be unsustainable.
As tools essential in every aspect of work and private life, many of us have experienced the frustration of running out of battery while out and about. Smartphones have transitioned from a phase of increasing ownership to one of deepening usage, bringing new "negatives" alongside their "benefits."
There is a company experiencing rapid growth by addressing these "negatives"—and upon learning that its CEO leads a fascinating life as a man in his thirties, we interviewed Mr. Yoshitsune Ido, President of Anchor Japan.
What future does this businessman, who honed his skills in foreign financial institutions like Goldman Sachs Securities, envision for Japan's manufacturing world?
President Ido and Motohiko Onuki of " THINK30 " discuss "the doubts, anxieties, and life crossroads of men in their 30s."

【Anker】

A brand that develops, manufactures, and sells smartphone accessories like mobile batteries worldwide.

Founded in 2009 by Steven Yang, who worked on Google's search engine at its US headquarters.

Though a young company that only established its Japanese subsidiary in January 2013, the group's annual sales worldwide are already projected to exceed 20 billion yen.

Encountering an attractive overseas company led to the decision to establish a Japanese subsidiary

Onuki: I first learned about Mr. Ido through a colleague's introduction. I heard, "There's a very interesting entrepreneur in his 30s taking on a fascinating challenge," and when I met him, I discovered he had worked at foreign financial institutions like Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch before suddenly establishing the Japanese subsidiary of a "manufacturing" company... I was strongly drawn to his unique life path.
Leaving behind a nearly decade-long career in finance to leap into a new world can't have been easy. What made you decide on such a bold career change?

Ido: The biggest reason was that Anker was an attractive brand. When I first encountered Anker, it was achieving top-tier sales performance on Amazon in the US and Europe, yet it hadn't seriously entered the Japanese market.
That's why I went to meet the founder to propose launching a full-scale Japanese operation. During that meeting, he presented a very clear and compelling vision.

"Smartphones will become ubiquitous worldwide, including in developing countries. After that phase, we'll enter a new era of 'deep smartphone usage'. We want to capture this emerging field that grows as usage deepens." "Convenient peripherals save users time and create new time. By providing greater convenience, we aim to generate time and leeway, ultimately enhancing the value of each user's life." He passionately shared these ideas with me.
If it were just about sales and profits, I don't think I would have wanted to stake my life on working with them. It was precisely because of the big dreams, possibilities, and the story behind it that I thought, "I'll bet on this."

Onuki: Having a president who can articulate a vision is crucial, right?

Ido: Yes. And this president is younger than me. Despite that, he has an overwhelmingly grand and powerful vision, and he's building the foundation to rapidly grow the company.
The staff gathered around him are also excellent, and I thought, "I want to be part of this team." ...At the same time, I felt a bit frustrated. Precisely because we're close in age, it renewed my determination: "I can't let him beat me," and "Japanese manufacturing still has so much potential."
That rebellious spirit became a motivation for founding Anchor Japan. I hate losing (laughs).

Changing Perspectives: Realizing It's Not About "Gain or Loss"

Onuki: When you left your company to establish Anchor Japan, did you have any anxieties or doubts?

Ido: Absolutely. If I'd continued building my career in finance, I would have reached a position commensurate with my age. I had to let go of that career path. I remember feeling scared, knowing I had to accept that "I couldn't go back" and "my finance career might be over."

It took me quite some time to make the decision. Was it worth betting my life on? Which was greater—the sense of expectation or the risk? I feel like I weighed it all on a scale.

Onuki: The "THINK30" analysis revealed a profile of the "30-something man who chooses not to lose rather than to gain." In these uncertain times, with many experiencing the Lehman Shock around the time of job hunting, it reflects the caution of men in their 30s who find it hard to be entirely optimistic. Mr. Ido, when weighing your career change, did you place more emphasis on gaining or on avoiding loss?

Ido: It wasn't about one over the other; I tried to broaden my perspective and consider multiple viewpoints. Men in their 30s often hold positions of responsibility at work and have wives and children at home. They're in a position where a defensive stance is required alongside an offensive one. Continuing to work for a large corporation and maintaining a stable life would likely lead to average happiness more easily. However, I also believe there are cases where taking a risky choice and achieving a big return can lead to more certain happiness.

Moreover, when you broaden your perspective, you often realize that many things "seem risky but aren't," which significantly expands your options. Take changing jobs, for example. Letting go of your existing career path might seem risky, but if you consider how you can leverage your cultivated network and knowledge to build a better career in a different industry, it suddenly looks much more positive, right?

Onuki: I see. Changing your perspective or taking a bird's-eye view can lead to insights beyond the "gain-loss dichotomy" and reveal new possibilities.

Ido: Plus, actions taken to pursue big opportunities often have unexpected safeguards. Someone might help you, or unforeseen benefits might arise... Rather than staying stuck in a box, I think it's better to take action with a relaxed mindset.

If there's no role model, walk your own path

Onuki: Another finding from the "THINK30" survey highlighted the fact that "30-something men lack role models." What about you, Mr. Ido? Is there anyone who serves as a role model for you?

Ido: I don't think I have a specific role model. It's more like I've picked up bits and pieces from various people I've worked with—supervisors, seniors, historical figures, modern business leaders—and loosely used them as references. I believe you have to carve your own path.

※Part 2 of the interview will be published on Monday, April 6.