Interview
Interview
Interview
Interview
A Young Challenger Turned
A Young Challenger Turned
A Young Challenger Turned
A Young Challenger Turned
New Business Leader
New Business Leader
New Business Leader
New Business Leader
Mobile Communications Division
Mobile Communications Division
Mobile Communications Division
Mobile Communications Division
Juna Kondo
Juna Kondo
Juna Kondo
Profile
Profile
After graduating from university, she worked at a production company as a web and product designer, supporting PR for other companies’ services. She joined Digital Wallet in 2022 and, as a leader of new business services, was involved from the ground up in launching 'Smiles Connect.
After graduating from university, she worked at a production company as a web and product designer, supporting PR for other companies’ services. She joined Digital Wallet in 2022 and, as a leader of new business services, was involved from the ground up in launching 'Smiles Connect.
After graduating from university, she worked at a production company as a web and product designer, supporting PR for other companies’ services. She joined Digital Wallet in 2022 and, as a leader of new business services, was involved from the ground up in launching 'Smiles Connect.
Shifting to a new career through a job change
Challenging your potential in an environment where failure is not feared
Shifting to a new career through a job change
Challenging your potential in an environment where failure is not feared
Shifting to a new career through a job change
Challenging your potential in an environment where failure is not feared
Shifting to a new career through a job change
Challenging your potential in an environment where failure is not feared
── Could you tell us about your previous career, what you focused on during your job search, and why you decided to join this company?
── Could you tell us about your previous career, what you focused on during your job search, and why you decided to join this company?
In my previous role, I worked as a web and product designer, supporting services for multiple companies. However, after being involved in many projects, I developed a strong desire to focus more deeply on a single service and grow it with my own hands, which led me to decide to change jobs.
During my job search, I prioritized an environment where I could take on challenges regardless of age or position, and where I could use English. Digital Wallet appealed to me because it offered the chance to use English while working broadly beyond my area of expertise, which felt dynamic and exciting, so I decided to join the company.
In my previous role, I worked as a web and product designer, supporting services for multiple companies. However, after being involved in many projects, I developed a strong desire to focus more deeply on a single service and grow it with my own hands, which led me to decide to change jobs.
During my job search, I prioritized an environment where I could take on challenges regardless of age or position, and where I could use English. Digital Wallet appealed to me because it offered the chance to use English while working broadly beyond my area of expertise, which felt dynamic and exciting, so I decided to join the company.
── What was your impression after actually starting to work here?
── What was your impression after actually starting to work here?
I’ve realized that this is an environment where you can truly take on challenges, depending on your own initiative. I originally joined as a UX designer, but I was given the chance to switch careers and lead the launch of a new service from scratch. Now, I’m involved in everything from planning to operations. While it comes with a lot of responsibility, I find it highly rewarding and engage with it every day
I’ve realized that this is an environment where you can truly take on challenges, depending on your own initiative. I originally joined as a UX designer, but I was given the chance to switch careers and lead the launch of a new service from scratch. Now, I’m involved in everything from planning to operations. While it comes with a lot of responsibility, I find it highly rewarding and engage with it every day
── Are there any programs or aspects of the company culture that make it a comfortable place to work?
── Are there any programs or aspects of the company culture that make it a comfortable place to work?
The company’s culture of welcoming challenges, encouraging us to take action without fear of failure or restriction, makes it a comfortable place to work.
Additionally, the ability to work remotely allows for flexible working styles, which I also find very appealing.
The company’s culture of welcoming challenges, encouraging us to take action without fear of failure or restriction, makes it a comfortable place to work.
Additionally, the ability to work remotely allows for flexible working styles, which I also find very appealing.
Tackling challenges with no single right answer,
and creating a sense of security for users.
Tackling challenges with no single right answer,
and creating a sense of security for users.
Tackling challenges with no single right answer,
and creating a sense of security for users.
Tackling challenges with no single right answer,
and creating a sense of security for users.
── Could you tell us about the work you are currently involved in?
── Could you tell us about the work you are currently involved in?
I am currently involved in the overall operation of the mobile communications service 'Smiles Connect.' Specifically, my responsibilities cover a wide range of tasks, including service planning and design, developing plans and pricing strategies, designing user flows for the web and app, setting up customer support systems, and coordinating and negotiating with partner companies.
I am currently involved in the overall operation of the mobile communications service 'Smiles Connect.' Specifically, my responsibilities cover a wide range of tasks, including service planning and design, developing plans and pricing strategies, designing user flows for the web and app, setting up customer support systems, and coordinating and negotiating with partner companies.
── What were the most challenging aspects of building a new service from scratch, and in what ways do you feel you’ve grown?
── What were the most challenging aspects of building a new service from scratch, and in what ways do you feel you’ve grown?
The hardest part was making decisions over and over without a clear right answer. Starting a service from scratch meant deciding and shaping things with limited information, which was very stressful. But I feel it helped me learn to think for myself and act quickly.
Even after the launch, we keep improving the service by looking at user feedback. This has helped me get better at running the PDCA cycle, understanding what users really want, and making faster decisions. I feel I’ve grown a lot from this experience.
The hardest part was making decisions over and over without a clear right answer. Starting a service from scratch meant deciding and shaping things with limited information, which was very stressful. But I feel it helped me learn to think for myself and act quickly.
Even after the launch, we keep improving the service by looking at user feedback. This has helped me get better at running the PDCA cycle, understanding what users really want, and making faster decisions. I feel I’ve grown a lot from this experience.
── How do you feel about the company’s approach to failure and trial-and-error?
── How do you feel about the company’s approach to failure and trial-and-error?
I think one of the company’s strengths is its positive attitude toward challenges and failure.
Even if a challenge doesn’t go as planned, the company supports you in thinking about the next steps. I believe this kind of culture helps employees keep a mindset of perseverance and continue taking on challenges.
I think one of the company’s strengths is its positive attitude toward challenges and failure.
Even if a challenge doesn’t go as planned, the company supports you in thinking about the next steps. I believe this kind of culture helps employees keep a mindset of perseverance and continue taking on challenges.
── Could you tell us about your future goals and what challenges you’d like to take on?
── Could you tell us about your future goals and what challenges you’d like to take on?
In the future, I want to grow 'Smiles Connect' into more than just a mobile service. I hope it becomes a 'reliable lifeline' for foreigners living in Japan. By expanding beyond communication to services that support daily life, such as housing, work, and language. I want to help ease the uncertainties of living in a foreign country. Through Smiles, I aim to be a service that can deliver a sense of security at any time.
In the future, I want to grow 'Smiles Connect' into more than just a mobile service. I hope it becomes a 'reliable lifeline' for foreigners living in Japan. By expanding beyond communication to services that support daily life, such as housing, work, and language. I want to help ease the uncertainties of living in a foreign country. Through Smiles, I aim to be a service that can deliver a sense of security at any time.
Employee Interviews
Employee Interviews
Employee Interviews
Employee Interviews
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We’re searching for teammates to grow with and build a new future together. We look forward to your application!
Join our team!
We’re searching for teammates to grow with and build a new future together. We look forward to your application!
Join our team!
We’re searching for teammates to grow with and build a new future together. We look forward to your application!
Join our team!
We’re searching for teammates to grow with and build a new future together. We look forward to your application!
