30 Men Shaping the Future: What Does Building Your Professional Niche Mean? (Part 2)

Continuing from last time, we spoke with Mr. Yoshitsune Ido, President of Anchor Japan, who has led a fascinating life as a man in his 30s.
What future does a businessman, who honed his skills in the foreign financial sector including Goldman Sachs Securities, envision after transitioning into the world of Japanese manufacturing?
President Ido and Motohiko Onuki of " THINK30 " discuss "The Confusion, Anxiety, and Crossroads in the Lives of 30-Something Men."

【Anker】

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

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

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

A passion for manufacturing has steadily grown

Onuki: Why did you transition from a foreign investment institution to becoming the president of a manufacturer, Mr. Ido? Finance and manufacturing seem like completely different fields...

Ido: Actually, during my university days, I studied the relationship between manufacturing and corporate management in a seminar. I was taught by a professor renowned for his research on the Toyota Production System, learning about questions like "What kind of organization and management system is optimal for making products?" and "How do you drive innovation?" Back then, Japanese manufacturers still had a stronger presence than they do now. There were many examples that made me think, "Japanese manufacturing is still strong," and "It's not something to be discarded." From that time, deep down, I harbored the feeling that "someday, I want to contribute to Japanese manufacturing."
Even so, I chose to enter the financial industry because I believed that in traditional manufacturing, you couldn't become truly competent without at least ten years of apprenticeship. Back then, I strongly desired to be entrusted with significant responsibilities early on and grow rapidly.

Onuki: So that's why you chose Goldman Sachs as your first employer. You then spent about ten years building your career in finance. What sparked the rekindling of your passion for manufacturing?

Ido: Actually, there wasn't a specific trigger. It's more like the feelings I've had since university just happened to take shape when I encountered Anker. Rather than a sudden rekindling, it's probably more accurate to say it was slowly growing. By combining the high core technologies possessed by Japanese manufacturers, including small and medium-sized ones, with Anker's productization capabilities and global sales power, we can surely create new business models. It's also possible to introduce technologies that haven't yet seen the light of day to the world. Step by step, I want to contribute to Japanese manufacturing.

You have the drive to grow, but can't find what you want to do...?

Onuki: Was "contributing to Japanese manufacturing" a concrete goal for you since your student days, Mr. Ido?

Ido: Not quite. Back then, it was more like a vague dream. I didn't have any particular passion. I even went through a period where I thought of myself as someone "without any real aspirations" and struggled with that. Despite my drive to grow, I often felt empty because I couldn't find what I truly wanted to do. That's probably why I kept changing jobs, always looking to expand my possibilities. Then, at 34, I happened to meet my fateful partners and finally found what I wanted to do.

Onuki: Ido-san, you were someone who "didn't have anything you wanted to do"... That's surprising. But I can understand the idea that "what you want to do isn't necessarily something you have from the start." As you pour yourself into the tasks right in front of you, your capabilities grow, and eventually, you suddenly realize what you truly want to do.

Ido: I think so. It's okay if you don't see your true calling clearly right now. If you keep pushing forward with all your might, it will come into view someday.

Finance, manufacturing, management. All these experiences are connected.

Onuki: What aspects of your work experience in the financial industry are most useful to you now?

Ido: There are many... The most valuable experience was working at a private equity fund. We became major shareholders in portfolio companies, invested time to improve them, increased their value, and then sold them or took them public again. Through that process, I engaged in very intensive interactions with each company. Sometimes it meant implementing restructuring or shutting down unprofitable businesses.
We pulled out all the stops, no sugarcoating. I agonized over what steps to take within limited timeframes to maximize corporate value. That experience directly informs how I manage my current company. Foreign finance and Japanese manufacturing might seem unrelated at first glance, but all work connects somewhere. I believe no experience is wasted.

Onuki: We heard about your passion for manufacturing earlier, but when did you first develop the desire to start your own business or become a manager?

Ido: Well, it wasn't that I started out aiming to be an entrepreneur or a manager per se... I simply followed my heart at each stage, and the result is where I am now. So, the title of president itself is essentially irrelevant. I see my duty as removing obstacles and creating an environment where my staff can perform at their absolute best.

Onuki: Observing acquaintances and prominent figures, I get the impression that many executives in their 30s, especially those in their early 30s, tend to be well-rounded individuals. Finally, could you share your future goals?

Ido: Well, moving forward, I aim to combine Japan's core manufacturing technologies with Anker's product development capabilities and global sales strength to become the "world champion in smartphone peripherals." It's my own personal motto, but I'd be thrilled if we could create powerful products based on the "Powered by Japan" concept and share them with the world.