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2024.12.16

Culture

Introducing Sumitomo Corporation’s In-House Club Activities: Building Stronger Bonds Across Departments and Years!

Did you know that Sumitomo Corporation has in-house clubs? There are many clubs within the company, including American Football, Art, Kendo, Golf, Japanese-style baseball, Yachting, Soccer, Tennis and Mountaineering. These clubs are not just for relaxation after work, but also serve as valuable spaces to interact and make connections across departmental and team boundaries. Today we interviewed members of the Golf, Art and Kendo clubs on the clubs' appeal and the synergy they generate.

1. Golf Club

  • Healthcare Business Overseas Unit, Sumitomo Corporation

    Koki Morimoto

    Koki joined Sumitomo Corporation in 2014 and initially worked in the Overseas Steel Sheet Department, primarily handling sheet metal trading with China and the management of operating companies. From 2019, he worked for around four years at a steel service center in Malaysia. Koki now works in the Overseas Healthcare Business Department (now Healthcare Business Overseas Unit), where he manages a Malaysian operating company and leads new business development in Asia and other regions.

Q1: Please tell us about your club activities.

Golf Club includes practice rounds and training sessions once or twice a month, as well as friendly competitions four times a year. Members selected from these events participate to win the "Shosha Kai," a competition with other trading companies, and the Nikkei Cup Corporate Golf Championship, the club's biggest goal.

Q2: What do you find attractive about Golf Club?

The club is open to golfers of all levels, from beginners to competitive players. Despite being a "club," it’s not overly strict, and the only requirement is a love of golf. At our gatherings, we talk about golf techniques, equipment and experiences, and before we know it, hours have passed. Not only do we build connections across departments and levels of seniority, but playing with skilled and passionate golfers helps us improve and develop a deeper love for the game. That’s what makes the club so great!

Q3: Can you share any memorable experiences?

This year, I was selected to represent our club at the Nikkei Cup for the first time. The team consisted of three men and one woman. Other club members came to the venue on the day of the event to cheer us on. Unfortunately, I failed to make it past the qualifying rounds and my score was disappointing. It was my first time representing the team, and I was so nervous that my body wouldn’t move the way I wanted it to. It was so frustrating. But now we're all motivated to work hard to qualify for next year’s competition. The tension and the sense of achievement when you see results are unique to our club activities.

2. Art Club

  • Media Commerce Unit, Sumitomo Corporation

    Miho Abe

    Miho joined PIA Corporation in 2019 and worked in ticket marketing for four and a half years. After witnessing the societal changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, she wanted to engage in a broader, more enriching business, and joined Sumitomo Corporation in 2023. She now works in the Media Commerce Unit, focusing on business development in contemporary art and interior design.

Q1: Please tell us about your club activities.

The Art Club, which currently has 139 members, was established in June 2023 under the concept of "connecting through art." We discuss art-related topics on Teams within the company. We also produce an original podcast called ART NOISE and hold regular art appreciation sessions and other events every few months.

Q2: What do you find attractive about Art Club?

The club is large and since we use Teams, it’s easy for people of all ages, both men and women, and from all departments to participate. The word "art" itself has a broad meaning, so members have diverse interpretations and feelings about it. It’s fascinating that we can respect each other’s viewpoints while sharing ideas. During appreciation sessions, different opinions come up, but we enjoy a relaxed, diverse atmosphere where it’s okay to have different views. The 24th floor of our Otemachi office is home to some contemporary artworks, and it’s like having an in-house museum. Lunchtime, near the art, you can always hear some lively conversations!

Q3: Can you share any memorable experiences?

One experience that stands out was visiting the "Art, Rice Vermicelli, or White Rice Kitchen" gallery, where food and drink are allowed. Members of the Art Club had a chance to interact with colleagues from different departments, including trade-related accountants, energy business development managers and media salespeople. We had a great time discussing art. We were also fortunate to meet the curator of the artworks, and with their professional guidance, we discussed and observed the pieces. It was interesting to see how everyone had different feelings or memories evoked by the same piece of art. After food and drinks, we all noticed that our impressions of the art changed, which made for a fun and memorable experience.

3. Kendo Club

  • Export Dept. 1, Sumisho Global Logistics

    Yusuke Kimura

    Yusuke joined Sumitomo Corporation in 2013, and currently works for Sumisho Global Logistics, where he is involved in designing and procuring logistics for trading activities within the Sumitomo Corporation Group. He also worked for Sumitomo Corporation of Americas in Houston for a year and a half as a trainee from 2019.

Q1: Please tell us about your club activities.

The Kendo Club goes back almost 50 years. While the participants are mainly young people in their 20s and 30s, around 80 people of all ages, ranging from new employees, mid-career hires and Sumitomo Corporation Group employees to retired senior alumni, participate in the club’s activities. Our main activities include weekly training sessions, summer training camps, social events and participation in corporate and all-trading company tournaments.

Q2: What do you find attractive about Kendo Club?

Kendo is considered a "lifetime sport," allowing us to make connections across all ages, departments and job titles. I think the greatest appeal of our club is the opportunity it gives to network with such a diverse range of people. Members' involvement in the club varies widely – some aim for top rankings or higher ranks in tournaments, others return to the sport after many years for health or stress relief, and some simply attend the social gatherings. The club also fosters a culture of "let’s grow the community together." It’s a place where we can build strong relationships with colleagues, and discuss work or personal matters. The friendships and support I've found through the club have become valuable assets.

Q3: Can you share any memorable experiences?

The most memorable experience for me was participating in the All-Trading Company Tournament, where the competition among eight major integrated trading companies is fierce. Representing the Sumitomo Kendo Club, we put our prestige on the line and fought as a team with strong support. This was an opportunity to revive the passion from my student days. I also practiced Kendo at a local club in Houston during my overseas assignment, and I was warmly welcomed by the local members. As both a trading company employee and kendo practitioner, it was a valuable experience to contribute to Kendo abroad and connect with local members who shared an appreciation for traditional Japanese culture.

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