“How Does Your Knowledge of Science Contribute to Trading Company Business?” A Conversation With Sumitomo Corporation Employees From Science Backgrounds

To begin, can you please tell us about the departments you belong to and the work you are engaged in?

Omachi I work in the Pharmaceutical Business Unit and am involved in generating new pharmaceutical business. Most people in my department have backgrounds in science, and many of them are qualified pharmacists. Our diverse team includes everyone from new graduates to mid-career hires and veteran employees.

Hasegawa I work in the Healthcare Business Japan Unit and my responsibilities include managing Tomod's drugstores and developing new businesses. Being a new unit within the company, my department has members from diverse backgrounds, including transferees from other departments, mid-career hires and new graduates. Each member brings to the table everything they have learned through their careers to date, working together to meet daily challenges.

Many science graduates aspire to research and other similar positions. Why did you choose Sumitomo Corporation, an integrated trading and business investment company, for your career?

Omachi My research theme as a student was cells and I was interested in pharmaceutical development, so when I started looking for a job I was hoping to work as a researcher for a pharmaceutical company. But then a good friend said to me, "Maybe you’d be better suited to an integrated trading and business investment company,” and my attention turned in that direction. In fact, I realized that working in a field creating new businesses while interacting with stakeholders, rather than in the specialized field of research, could be even more interesting. Sumitomo Corporation has Summit Pharmaceuticals International, which provides integrated support for the pharmaceutical industry. I was attracted by the fact that Sumitomo Corporation is an integrated trading and business investment company with a strong presence in pharmaceuticals and drug discovery, and it was the only trading company I applied to.

Hasegawa In my case, when I was job hunting as a new graduate, I was not considering anything other than a career in research. However, after graduating I found great satisfaction in working as a researcher with external partners at the beverage manufacturer to commercialize new technologies, and I became interested in the world of business. Integrated trading and business investment company approach industries in terms of larger areas as opposed to single focal points, and their involvement is wide ranging, including trading activities, business investment and business development. This offered many different angles for engagement, which I found appealing.

I have always had an interest in the healthcare sector, which is another reason why I joined the company. I believe that consumers are the main actors in healthcare, and Sumitomo Corporation has many subsidiaries closely linked to consumers, including the Summit supermarket chain and J:COM, a cable TV company. I decided to move to Sumitomo Corporation because I wanted to leverage these strengths to create new value in the healthcare field.

Please tell us about any projects you have worked on that have been particularly challenging or episodes that you feel have led to personal growth.

Now that you have worked at Sumitomo Corporation, what do you find attractive about the company?

Omachi I feel that Sumitomo Corporation has a flat organizational structure. In 2022, my business proposal to develop an easy-to-drink, less-astringent Chinese herbal medicine was adopted under the "0→1 (Zero to One) Challenge," an in-house entrepreneurship program. Here, I believe everyone is willing to proactively listen to the efforts of young employees, regardless of their position.

Hasegawa I agree. that is simply more easily realized in a flat organization. In the Healthcare SBU, coming from a research background without any industry experience is an unusual career path, but after three months with the company I was given the responsibility of mentoring a new employee. Subsequently, after learning one task I was immediately entrusted with others, like developing budgets and medium-term management plans for operating companies. As long as you respect the backgrounds and intentions of all employees and contribute to the organization taking work seriously every day, you will be entrusted with new tasks, which makes every day exciting and enjoyable. There are abundant opportunities for growth here.

What opportunities do you find to make use of the knowledge you acquired as a student in your current role?

Do you have any career plans or goals that you would like to accomplish through your studies and your current career experience?

Omachi I intend to continue placing high priority on creating new businesses, and in the future, hope to build a career in business management. Mr. Hasegawa mentioned "study habits." In scientific study, you read the necessary papers, formulate a hypothesis, and then test it over and over again. I am certain the mindset acquired through this process can be applied to business development as well.

Hasegawa I agree. I feel that acquiring a certain level of specialized knowledge and conducting basic research gives you the ability to dig deeper into any subject. Even if the work is not directly science related, with the ability to dig deep, I think you can take on any challenge.

I would like to combine my research background with my business skills to realize initiatives that sublimate technology into value for society. To this end, I would like to gain a wide range of experience in business investment, business development and business management.

Finally, do you have any advice or messages of support for science graduates who want to apply to Sumitomo Corporation?