Our Culture

At university, I researched neuroscience. Although it was a different field from my major, I was drawn to the versatility of silicones and the personalities of the employees, which led me to decide to join Asahi Kasei Wacker Silicone. Since joining, I've felt that "Asahi Kasei Wacker Silicone is a company that respects and values each and every employee." The company also has a wide range of internal events and clubs, which helps build connections among employees. I'm a member of the "Muscle Friends Club" (a bodybuilding club), and we train together and go to the gym to build our physical strength!

Going forward, I plan to work on product development related to automotive and defoamers products, and I aim to become an employee who can provide high-quality products while staying close to our customers' needs.

I'm from Hokkaido and majored in organic synthetic chemistry. I found this company, Asahi Kasei Wacker Silicone, while looking at job-hunting websites when I was a graduate student. I remember visiting Tsukuba once before and thinking it was a very comfortable and nice city (maybe it reminded me of my hometown's atmosphere?). After the final interview, I was given the opportunity to tour the plant and talk directly with the senior employees, which gave me a sense of the company culture. That impression was the deciding factor for me to join.

Although silicones are not my area of expertise, I am gradually learning from my knowledgeable and experienced senior colleagues to become a full-fledged employee. I believe Asahi Kasei Wacker Silicone Co., Ltd. is a very pleasant company to work for, as it has an open environment where employees can easily communicate with each other, from top to bottom! Although they may not be very visible to the public, I hope to develop technologies that support people's lives from behind the scenes.

I have experience working as a manufacturing technology professional at two previous companies.

I decided to join Asahi Kasei Wacker Silicone because it allows me to grow through a wide range of responsibilities, from upstream to downstream, while working in my home prefecture of Ibaraki.

Currently, I'm involved in the design, development, and mass production launch of silicone heat dissipation materials. I get to be a part of the entire process, from sales to manufacturing and product assurance for the products I design myself. The company's key strengths, in my opinion, are its high level of technical expertise, which supports the global sale of various products like cosmetic ingredients and automotive parts, and its excellent work-life balance. For instance, I've had the chance to participate in the Asahi Kasei Ekiden race and the tennis club. These activities have helped me expand my network and improve work efficiency.

Additionally, since I can take my time off, I can enjoy a fulfilling personal life, whether it's going out with my family on weekends or helping with childcare on weekdays.

In the future, I hope to become a valuable employee who can support the company and contribute to making it an even better place to work.

I have been involved in the automotive, electronics, and machinery fields for over 20 years. I've changed jobs four times, but I still keep in touch with my former colleagues, and I'm leveraging that network to expand my ideas for new business ventures.

I chose to join this company because of my interest in the diverse applications and markets for silicones, and particularly the high future potential in the automotive industry. It was also attractive that WACKER is one of the few top manufacturers that can refine silicon and silicones from silicon ore.

As Asahi Kasei Wacker Silicone is a joint venture between Germany's Wacker Chemie and Japan's Asahi Kasei, it combines the best aspects of both a foreign company and a Japanese company. I feel it's a workplace with a great atmosphere and the potential to localize and develop business in the Japanese market.

My current focus is on increasing the presence of Asahi Kasei Wacker Silicone both in the Japanese market and within the broader WACKER Group. This leads to benefits for our customers and allows the company to continue investing in sustainable growth. I believe it is most important to raise the overall value and brand of the company from a multi-purpose perspective, not just by increasing sales, but also by considering employee diversity and well-being.

As of March 2024, I have been appointed as the Head of the Engineering Silicones division for the entire Asia region. It is incredibly exciting to have discussions about success with members who have different backgrounds and diverse values, all while respecting each other. My global colleagues are proud of their roots and cultures and express their opinions clearly. It's essential not just for work, but also to understand history, culture, and socioeconomics and communicate in English. Most Japanese people are shy and not good at asserting their opinions, but even if you are not an expert in English, if you are more confident and proactive in expressing yourself, the opportunities to succeed globally will surely expand.

In recent years, Japan has been promoting investment, starting with the NISA program. I have been investing since my university days. By investing your own money, you gain knowledge and experience. While there's always a risk with investing, there's also a return. This is also true in business, where "risk is doing nothing."

Since becoming the head of the Asia region, I have been traveling abroad more frequently. On my days off, I make sure to relax and spend time with my family. I recharge by taking walks in my beloved Tateshina Highlands, enjoying barbecues with local ingredients, and watching movies.

WACKER is currently focused on the Asian market, which is an excellent opportunity to raise our presence. To expand our business in Japan and throughout Asia, our organization and products must be localized. To achieve this, I believe we need to actively invest in the Asian region, develop our human resources, and create an organizational structure that allows for speedy decision-making within Asia. I am striving daily in the hope that my efforts will contribute to the future of our Asian organization.

Since joining the company in 2020, I have been engaged in the development of silicone emulsions for industrial applications. My initial interest in the unique properties of silicone led me to join the organization, even though this field was entirely different from my graduate school specialization. Naturally, I felt some uncertainty at first, but my manager and colleagues understood those concerns and provided warm, supportive guidance. This culture of mutual understanding and collaboration is one of the aspects I value most about our company.
Currently, I am focused on developing environmentally friendly release agents. The most rewarding moment in my work is when a product I helped develop is adopted and manufactured on a multi-ton scale—seeing the results of countless lab trials come to life in real production.

After relocating to Ibaraki, I discovered a passion for mountain climbing. Using paid leave and long holidays, I often embark on multi-peak traverses. The perseverance and spirit of challenge I have gained through these experiences inspire me to take on new professional goals. Moving forward, I aim to actively contribute to knowledge management and patent applications, striving for continuous growth and innovation.

Before coming to Japan, I had three years of experience in engineering and order processing at an American company in Dalian, China. After arriving in Japan, I was able to find a job at a trading company, where I used my language skills (Chinese, Korean, English, and Japanese) and work experience.

Later, I decided to switch to Asahi Kasei Wacker Silicone to advance my career in a bigger world.

I was drawn to Asahi Kasei Wacker Silicone, a foreign-affiliated manufacturing company, and thought it was a place where I could use all my skills. I also felt a connection with the interviewer at the time, so I immediately decided to join. When I first started, I was the only non-Japanese person, so the cultural differences were noticeable in many ways. However, everyone around me was very kind and supportive, which is why I am still able to work at AWS today.

I currently handle the procurement of imported goods, communicating with WACKER locations abroad. I am most happy that I can use my language skills and work experience in my job.

As a mother of two, work-life balance is extremely important to me. I make good use of the company's flexible and remote work systems, and I try my best to finish my work efficiently within the given time. On weekends, I fully enjoy my time with my family.

In the future, I want to move up to a higher position and become someone who can manage the entire team while considering the growth of both the work and the people.

After graduating from high school, I joined the company as a new graduate, motivated by the desire to work locally in a physically active role. I chose Wacker AsahiKasei Silicone for its strong presence and opportunities in manufacturing. Currently, I work in a department that produces silicone-based defoamers and textile treatment agents. Since these products are emulsions (liquid), the drums used for delivery are extremely heavy, making the job physically demanding—but that’s exactly what gives me a sense of accomplishment.
Our team is bright and approachable, and I take pride in my ability to communicate openly and inclusively with everyone. One of my strengths is building connections without barriers. The company also offers generous paid leave, allowing me to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Outside of work, I enjoy fishing and attending live rock band concerts.
At present, I am studying to obtain the Class 4 Hazardous Materials Handling certification. Although the exam is challenging, earning this qualification will broaden my scope of work, and I am determined to succeed. Above all, I prioritize safety and strive to perform my duties without injury, keeping “Safety First” as my guiding principle.

面接時に福利厚生やワークライフバランスの充実について説明を受け、とても魅力に感じました。実際休日が多く有休も取りやすいため、プライベートで趣味に充てる時間の確保ができます。休みの日は先輩や友達とスポーツをしたり、映画やドラマなどの動画鑑賞、洋服を買いにショッピングに行ったりしています。私はエマルジョンを製造するグループに所属しています。優しい先輩方や上司に恵まれ、すぐに仕事に慣れることができました。会社の未来を見据え、設備や環境改善等への投資など、会社をよりよくするために会社全体で尽力し合っているのを感じています。私は製造3班の代表として、製造の業務を行いながら会社の目標である電力の削減にも取り組んでいます。コスト削減を念頭に置いて消耗品の発注も行っています。

入社6年目となり、今後も会社に貢献できるよう日々努力していきたいです。

I initially joined the company as a temporary employee and was hired as a full-time employee in June 2022. I chose this company because of its strong commitment to safety and its culture of valuing employees. In practice, I have found that the workplace is lively, with excellent camaraderie among colleagues. Managers are approachable, and I feel comfortable expressing my opinions.
My current responsibility is the full range of manufacturing operations for LSR (Liquid Silicone Rubber). The work involves high temperatures and heavy materials, so maintaining physical fitness is essential. I find great satisfaction when teamwork flows smoothly and tasks are completed efficiently.
I am currently studying to obtain a certification related to hazardous materials handling. Outside of work, I enjoy karate practice and camping. I hold a second-degree black belt in karate and also teach children. Looking ahead, my goal is to eliminate even the smallest mistakes and become someone colleagues can fully rely on—earning the reputation of “Leave it to Teru, and it will be done right.”

Previously, I worked in the food manufacturing industry. Drawn by Wacker’s global reputation as a leading brand, I was inspired by the promising future of the silicone industry and its potential to contribute to sustainability. These factors motivated me to apply. The company’s comprehensive benefits were also appealing, and after joining, I realized Wacker values its employees even more than I had expected.
With weekends and public holidays off and the possibility of taking long vacations, I can enjoy quality time with friends and family. On-site, I am actively engaged in learning each process while implementing improvement activities to enhance safety. The work is physically demanding, making it an excellent fit for those who enjoy staying active.
Wacker’s strong global network also offers opportunities for international collaboration. For those interested in English or proficient in the language, there may even be chances for overseas assignments or business trips. My goal is to work diligently in my assigned department and contribute meaningfully to the company. I am truly grateful for the connections I have made here.

I majored in German Literature during my university years—a language not widely used in Japan. Motivated by the desire to work in a role where I could utilize German, I was fortunate to join this company. While English is often the primary business language, Wacker frequently produces documents in German first, which allows me to deepen my understanding. Communicating with German colleagues in their native language also creates a sense of closeness. With a German CEO, working here sometimes feels like studying abroad while staying in Japan.
Currently, I serve as an Executive Assistant and handle corporate communications. This role requires a broad understanding of the company, its employees, and even social trends. Writing articles to highlight employee achievements and distributing them internally, or creating stylish branded goods that receive positive feedback, gives me great satisfaction. For technical and manufacturing topics, I collaborate closely with subject matter experts while proactively gathering information myself. My goal is to strengthen employee loyalty and enhance our corporate presence through impactful communication initiatives.