Best of Both Worlds: Enrich Your Career Amidst the Stunning Landscape of Nagano

Updated: November 6, 2024

Hioki E. E. Corporation, an 88-year-old company nestled in the scenic Nagano Prefecture, is dedicated to fostering a dynamic and supportive environment where employees can reach their full potential. The company harmonizes individual growth with organizational goals, ensuring personal development drives collective success.
With a strong commitment to societal well-being, Hioki produces high-quality products and services that address critical social needs while also engaging in educational support, cultural enrichment, and environmental conservation. Employees benefit from career autonomy, internal mobility, and global opportunities, all within a culture of continuous improvement and high-challenge projects.
In the following interview, we sit down with Cho Byongil, an employee developing software at Hioki, to explore how the company's core values and innovative spirit have shaped his journey and contributions.

Introduction
Cho Byongil, originally from South Korea, is in his fifth year at Hioki. After completing a master’s program at Shinshu University, he began his career at Hioki. In this interview, Cho shares his experiences working in Japan and his journey at Hioki.

Q: What inspired you to explore job opportunities in Japan?
Cho: My first exposure to Japanese was in middle school, where I learned the basics like あいうえお. However, it wasn't until high school that I developed a strong interest in the language. To this day, I’m not entirely sure why, but I started immersing myself in Japanese content like anime and TV dramas as a hobby. Over time, my Japanese improved significantly and I realized it would be a missed opportunity not to use my language skills for my future career. So, I decided to do a one-year exchange program in Japan to see if it was a place I could see myself living in the future and I ended up at Shinshu University in Nagano.

Q: What was your first impression when you arrived in Nagano and how have they changed over time?
Cho: I vividly remember taking an express train for three hours, and all I could see were trees, forests, and mountains. It was quite surprising!

When I realized what the environment was like, I was a bit concerned about how I’d adjust to living here. Coming from a big city environment in the southern part of Seoul, Nagano felt very different. But I soon got used to a different pace of life, and now I find it quite enjoyable.

I like that there aren’t as many people as in big cities, so life is less chaotic. The trains aren’t overcrowded, you don’t have to queue up at restaurants, and there’s not much traffic. I’m not a fan of crowded places, so Nagano’s vibe suits me well. The only downside is the lack of a nearby sea, as I enjoy seafood and coastal views.

Q: What attracted you to Hioki?
Cho: Several factors drew me to Hioki. First, I enjoyed living in Nagano. Additionally, during my time as a graduate student, there were many discussions about reducing carbon emissions and transitioning away from fossil fuels, which sparked my interest in pursuing work in this area. I believed that the electric-related industry would offer more opportunities in this field, and as a company that produces electrical measuring equipment, Hioki aligned perfectly with the industry I wanted to be part of. Moreover, the company's employee benefits were impressive!

Q: What did you expect working at Hioki to be like before you joined? What were you right about, and what surprised you?
Cho: I initially assumed that, because Hioki specializes in electrical measuring equipment, everyone in the company would need a background in electronics or engineering. As a mathematics major, I thought I would need to learn more about electrical engineering to keep up with my peers. However, I quickly learned that while some roles do require this expertise, it's not necessary for everyone, even within the R&D department.

Q: What inspired you to explore job opportunities in Japan?
Cho: My first exposure to Japanese was in middle school, where I learned the basics like あいうえお. However, it wasn't until high school that I developed a strong interest in the language. To this day, I’m not entirely sure why, but I started immersing myself in Japanese content like anime and TV dramas as a hobby. Over time, my Japanese improved significantly and I realized it would be a missed opportunity not to use my language skills for my future career. So, I decided to do a one-year exchange program in Japan to see if it was a place I could see myself living in the future and I ended up at Shinshu University in Nagano.

Q: What was your first impression when you arrived in Nagano and how have they changed over time?
Cho: I vividly remember taking an express train for three hours, and all I could see were trees, forests, and mountains. It was quite surprising!

When I realized what the environment was like, I was a bit concerned about how I’d adjust to living here. Coming from a big city environment in the southern part of Seoul, Nagano felt very different. But I soon got used to a different pace of life, and now I find it quite enjoyable.

I like that there aren’t as many people as in big cities, so life is less chaotic. The trains aren’t overcrowded, you don’t have to queue up at restaurants, and there’s not much traffic. I’m not a fan of crowded places, so Nagano’s vibe suits me well. The only downside is the lack of a nearby sea, as I enjoy seafood and coastal views.

Q: What attracted you to Hioki?
Cho: Several factors drew me to Hioki. First, I enjoyed living in Nagano. Additionally, during my time as a graduate student, there were many discussions about reducing carbon emissions and transitioning away from fossil fuels, which sparked my interest in pursuing work in this area. I believed that the electric-related industry would offer more opportunities in this field, and as a company that produces electrical measuring equipment, Hioki aligned perfectly with the industry I wanted to be part of. Moreover, the company's employee benefits were impressive!

Q: What did you expect working at Hioki to be like before you joined? What were you right about, and what surprised you?
Cho: I initially assumed that, because Hioki specializes in electrical measuring equipment, everyone in the company would need a background in electronics or engineering. As a mathematics major, I thought I would need to learn more about electrical engineering to keep up with my peers. However, I quickly learned that while some roles do require this expertise, it's not necessary for everyone, even within the R&D department.

Q: What kind of work are you doing now, and have you always been in this department?
Cho: I work in software development, designing interfaces and creating software to operate the devices that Hioki produces.

When I first joined Hioki after completing my master’s program, there was a 1-year training period. Even if you graduated with a technical degree, this period allowed you to learn about all the departments and various roles within the company. It was almost like a classroom setting, where representatives from different departments would present what they do, and we even got hands-on experience with their work.

The purpose of this training is to provide a holistic view of how the company operates. Understanding how products are made and sold helps us do our jobs better. After the training, we had one-on-one sessions with HR to express our interests and determine our department assignments. I was assigned to the software development team, where there was another year of on-the-job training and I learned how to program from scratch.

Q: Do you have an interest in working in other departments in the future?
Cho: Yes, I’d like to explore working with hardware in the future. But for now, I’m focused on honing my programming skills. Once I feel proficient, I might consider taking on a new challenge.

Q: What is the company culture like?
Cho: The company culture at Hioki is quite free and collaborative. For example, if we encounter a problem, we’re given the autonomy to solve it on our own. If the problem is too complex to handle individually, we work together as a team to find a solution.

Q: What do you like about working at Hioki?
Cho: One of the things I appreciate most is that we’re assigned work that matches our individual capabilities and talents. Hioki places a strong emphasis on developing people’s skills and recognizing talent, ensuring that employees are in positions where they can grow. Communication is also highly valued here. We have monthly meetings to discuss our projects and address any concerns, which helps us stay aligned and motivated.

Q: Do you spend time with your colleagues outside of working hours?
Cho: Yes, the company organizes a lot of events, such as dinners, sports tournaments, and volunteer programs. People also make plans for activities like hiking or skiing. There’s a strong sense of community at Hioki, and many of us share similar interests.

Q: Do you have any goals you’re working towards?
Cho: In the short term, my focus is on meeting customer needs. While we receive numerous requests to add or modify software features, it's not possible to accommodate them all. I aim to engage more closely with clients to develop features that are truly beneficial for them. At the same time, I want to foster better communication to help them make the most of our existing features.

In the long term, I’d like to work as a bridge between Japan and Korea, facilitating business between the two countries. As a Korean person working in Japan, I think I have the right skill set for this. I imagine localizing products differently for each country or creating marketing strategies that consider cultural factors.

This vision seems quite different from your current role as a software developer!
Cho: It is, but I’m in no rush. I’m still new to the company and want to build a strong foundation, learn what I can from different departments, and develop my skills. Eventually, I hope to work in a role that brings Japan and Korea closer together.

Q: Do you have any advice for those considering a career at Hioki?
Cho: Reflecting on my job search, I’m confident that Hioki was the right choice for me. However, it’s important to recognize that Hioki might not be the right fit for everyone. I encourage job seekers to think carefully about what makes a company the right fit for them. I hope my story can serve as a guide to help others make the best career choices for themselves.