CAREER
STAFF INTERVIEWS
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- STAFF INTERVIEWS
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PROFILE
Affiliation: Japan Wind-Power Service Inc., Development Group
Alma Mater: Graduate School of Osaka Institute of Technology, Osaka Institute of Technology
Joined GPSS: June 2020
Q1
What did you do before joining GPSS?
I worked in the Environmental Division as a general construction consultant, conducting field surveys of insects, fish, and other living creatures and preparing assessment documents. The work that left a particularly strong impression on me was a one-and-a-half-month on-site stay on Ishigaki Island to study the coral bleaching phenomenon.
Q2
Please tell us the reason why you decided to join GPSS.
First of all, why did I choose the renewable energy industry:
Since I was a child, I was determined to contribute to environmental issues. Renewable energy can directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, however, the reputation that the public has for renewable energy has not been very positive. Nevertheless, I thought that renewable energy was essential for the long-term survival of Japan and the Earth, and I wanted to work in the renewable energy industry to see if I could develop renewable energy that would also benefit the local communities.
Second of all, why did I choose GPSS:
I did not want to work at a company where new employees are limited in the work they can do so I chose a newly-emerging company with a flat culture. Additionally, I was looking for a company where I could feel like I was in a foreign country even though I was in Japan. I was able to understand that GPSS company was far away from the rigid Japanese culture, and at the interview, I heard many out-of-the-ordinary and fun stories which ultimately made me join.
Q3
What is your role at GPSS?
I belong to the wind development group. I have been assigned to Kagoshima for three years. My longing to come to Tokyo ended after half a year (laughs).
My understanding of the general work of renewable energy development is "coordination with related parties (including inside and outside the company) to make the project feasible, and gathering materials to make an appropriate business decision". However, GPSS has another approach, which is to "make the local community sustainable through joint projects.” If we broadly divide the "business" and "community," we are required to keep a good balance between these two wheels, and if we are biased toward one or the other, we will be ordered to stop the business. Although it may seem like a roundabout way for a company to pursue profit, we believe that this is the shortest way to realize the sustainable society we are aiming for. Therefore, although the workload tends to be more for one person, it is a very rewarding job.
Q4
Please tell us "the moment when your soul ignited" after joining GPSS.
When we first establish communication with the local people, most times people are wary of our presence. Nevertheless, we continued to visit the community, conveying our philosophy and passion to the people there. Whenever the representative of the community associations agree to partner with us, I could never hold back my tears.
Q5
Please give a word to future GPSS members!
Let's do our best together to create sustainable society together with the local community!