EPISODEINTERVIEW
01

With my own hands, I am making things that are used all over the world.

Kashima Branch
Steel Sheet Section

JUNKO NISHIMURA

JUNKO

NISHIMURA

The shaking I felt when a 16,000-ton forging press machine was operating is the reason I wanted this job.

The hot rolling plant of the Kashima ironworks, which has been engaged in production tasks like packing coils since the beginning of operations, is a place that carries a long history, even among the many different Konoike sites. I think one of the appealing things about Konoike is that they allow someone like me, a woman, to be active at the ironworks, a place which has traditionally been thought of as a man's domain. I think a lot of women want to work in Tokyo or in some other job that's more glamorous, but I'm happy that I was able to get a job doing something that's a bit different from what my classmates are doing. I've been interested in overseas distribution since I was in school, and I wanted to find a position in international logistics. However, when I experienced the shock of watching a 16,000-ton forging press machine operate at the pressing site of the business office to which I was assigned after joining the company, this became the job I wanted to have. I felt something I had never experienced before, and I was really impressed and wanted to be a part of it.

JUNKO

NISHIMURA

I'm doing things that most women can't experience. That's what makes my job fun.

One of the reasons I find my job enjoyable is that I know that I am doing something that most women around the world have not experienced. Another big part of it is that I am making things with my own hands that are used all over the world. Coils are a top-market item due to their use as a stainless steel component. Whenever I see a commercial with some stainless steel kitchenware, I wonder if it uses the coils we make. (Laughs) I'm proud that the products that we are involved with are used in many different places around the world.

JUNKO

NISHIMURA

I don't want to be overtaken by rivals. I get excited by the idea of exceeding expectations.

A business office to which I was previously assigned had some line trouble as a deadline was approaching. This problem was uncovered in the evening. The order was to have everything ready for the customer the next day. The more experienced employees and I put on our work clothes, and everyone at the site worked together to resolve the problem. And we were able to deliver the product by the deadline. Our sense of unity at that time was amazing. We were not only able to overcome an impossible situation; we also produced results that went beyond the customer's expectations. The people at Konoike are completely different from people at other companies. Everyone wants us to be the best. I feel the most passionate when a customer praises one of our rivals. I absolutely will not allow us to be outdone. This is the Konoike brand. The concept of going beyond the customer's expectations is exciting to us. I recently got married, and I'm the first women to continue working at the ironworks after her marriage. So I want to work as hard as I can to be a role model for others.