Hioki E.E. Corporation – Empowering Employees Through Career Autonomy and Achievement
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Interview with Muhamed Musadiq: A Journey of Growth at Hioki
Updated: November 8, 2024
Hioki E.E. Corporation, with its headquarters in Nagano Prefecture, has been a pioneering force in the electrical measurement industry for over 80 years. With a commitment to creating high-quality products and solutions that meet evolving global needs, Hioki strives to be more than just a leader in measurement technology—it aims to develop sustainable solutions with global impact.
Part of the company’s success stems from fostering a work environment where individuals can achieve professional fulfillment and personal growth. The company believes that “A great workplace environment,” is key to creating an atmosphere where employees can thrive. By aligning individual goals with the company's vision, Hioki provides its workforce with the tools and freedom to succeed.
At the core of Hioki’s employee development strategy is the Career Path Support System （キャリアパス支援制度）which promotes career autonomy. Employees are encouraged to take ownership of their career paths through regular one-on-one meetings, where they set personal goals in line with the company’s overall strategy. This approach not only enhances productivity but also nurtures a sense of shared purpose throughout the organization.
The High Challenge Initiative (Hiチャレンジ) at Hioki encourages employees to volunteer for new roles, projects, or business ventures. This initiative supports internal mobility and cross-departmental challenges, enabling employees to envision alternative strategies and become “Solution Creators.” Employees are regularly given the opportunity to reflect on their career aspirations and experiences, ensuring they are always moving toward greater personal and professional development.
In this interview, we’ll hear from Muhamed Musadiq, an employee who has embraced these opportunities and his career has evolved from a mechanical engineer into a business analyst at Hioki. His journey highlights the possibilities available to those who join the Hioki team, where personal ambition can forge an unexpected career path.
Below: Hioki headquarters in Ueda, Nagano, Japan. (90 minutes from Tokyo)
Interview with Muhamed Musadiq: A Journey of Growth at Hioki
Q: Can you tell us a little about your background? How did you end up in Japan, and how long have you been working at Hioki?
Musadiq: I’m originally from Malaysia. I came to Japan in 2006 as a foreign student to pursue a degree in engineering at Shinshu University in Nagano. After my bachelor's degree, I continued studying and completed my master's degree in 2012. That’s when I joined Hioki as a fresh graduate, working as a mechanical engineer. I’ve been with the company ever since, and it’s been 12 years now.
Q: Why did you decide to come to Japan for your studies?
Musadiq: I wanted to pursue engineering, and thinking of places not too far from Malaysia that were strong in engineering, Japan was the obvious choice. Also, since I planned to leave Malaysia, I wanted to challenge myself to learn new things, and by coming to Japan I could also learn a new language. Back in 2006 most of what I knew about Japan came from television, so I thought all of Japan was like Tokyo—extremely urban. But when I arrived in Nagano, I was surprised to find it was much more rural than expected. Despite that, I was excited to experience something different and saw it as a positive challenge.
Q: How was it adjusting to life in Nagano, especially coming from Penang, a more urban area in Malaysia?
Musadiq: It was a bit of a shock at first, but I’ve come to appreciate the lifestyle here. Nagano is famous for its natural beauty, and it has four distinct seasons, which was completely new to me. In Malaysia, we only have one season—hot and rainy—so experiencing winter for the first time was exciting. I remember my first day seeing snow; I walked for about three kilometers just to be in the snow! The change in climate took some getting used to — I had never dealt with icy roads before, but I’ve adapted, I even started snowboarding, which I never imagined I’d do.
Living in a rural area like Nagano has also encouraged me to be more active. I walk and cycle a lot more than I did back in Malaysia, where everyone relies on motor vehicles. When I go back home, I actually miss the active lifestyle here.
Q: What has been your career path at Hioki? You mentioned starting as a mechanical engineer—what other roles have you taken on?
Musadiq: I started as a mechanical engineer and worked in that role for about five years. During that time, I felt a desire to expand my skill set beyond engineering. One of the reasons I joined Hioki was because I wanted to be a part of the company growing on a global scale. I realized that understanding marketing would be essential for that. So, I raised my hand and expressed interest in trying something new. I transitioned to the marketing department, where I worked in market research and product planning. I focused on regions like Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East, traveling to countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Thailand, and Indonesia, and participating in Hioki’s global expansion.
After about two and a half years in that role, I moved into marketing communications, where I was responsible for content creation, setting goals for the department, and developing strategies. I worked on creating video content, technical writing, and SEO to drive traffic to our website. My engineering background helped me in these roles because I used my technical understanding of the products to convey information effectively to our customers and I was able to distill what the main points of our messaging should be when we created content.
Most recently, I transitioned to a business analyst role. As a content strategist, I worked on projects where I set the goals and KPIs for the marketing and communications department. I wanted to try doing this on a bigger scale, so I spoke to my boss. Now, I am the first person to become a business analyst for the entire company. I helped draft roadmaps integrating market and product strategies to help realize Hioki's 2030 vision. Currently, I am working on a project to implement systems to help visualize our goals across departments. This will allow everyone to better understand the bigger picture about how each department contributes to Hioki’s long-term vision.
Q: What made you want to switch departments, and how has Hioki supported your personal and professional growth over the years?
Musadiq: I’ve always been curious about how businesses operate beyond just the technical side. When I was in engineering, I enjoyed the problem-solving aspect, but I wanted to understand the impact of our products—how they meet market needs and how we can position them globally. That’s what led me to marketing.
Hioki has been instrumental in my growth. I’ve always been encouraged to take on new challenges, and the company helps you develop new skills and interests step by step. The company has evolved a lot since I joined, and I’m proud to have been a part of and witnessed those changes. Hioki’s commitment to innovation and its global vision align with my own career goals, and I’m excited to continue growing with the company.
Q: What’s it like being the only foreigner in many of the rooms at Hioki? Has it been a challenge?
Musadiq: When I first joined Hioki, I was the only foreigner in the engineering department, and I was also the first foreigner hired as a fresh graduate. It was definitely a unique experience, but I never felt isolated. Hioki has always been supportive and gave me the opportunity to prove myself. Over the years, the company has become more global, and now more foreigners are working here, which is great to see.
That said, being a foreigner in Japan comes with its challenges, especially as a Muslim. Finding halal food in a rural area like Nagano can be difficult, though it’s improved a lot over the years. There are a few halal shops now, and I can order products online. When eating out, I often choose seafood, which is a safe option for me. Despite these challenges, I’ve adapted well and appreciate the lifestyle Nagano offers.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a job at Hioki or moving to Nagano?
Musadiq: If you have a vision for what kind of career you want to build, Hioki can help you achieve that. Hioki is a company that’s expanding, and there are many chances to try new things. For example, I was able to transition to multiple departments because the company encourages career autonomy. You’re not confined to just one role—you can explore different areas and discover new interests.
As for living in Ueda, it’s a beautiful place, and the quality of life is great. It’s more rural than cities like Tokyo or Osaka but not as remote as people might think. You can get to Tokyo in about an hour and a half by train, and the weather is pleasant, with less rain and snow compared to other areas in Nagano. If you enjoy nature and a relaxed pace of life, Nagano is a great place to live.
Q: Any final thoughts or advice for people thinking about moving to Japan for work?
Musadiq: Learning Japanese will make your experience in Japan much more enjoyable. You can get by without knowing the language, but speaking Japanese allows you to connect more deeply with the culture and people. That said, even if you become fluent, you’ll always be seen as a foreigner to some extent. But that’s okay—don’t let it bother you. Embrace the experience, and you’ll find that Japan is a fun and rewarding place to live.
