The Japan Desk of John Clements and Nomura Research Institution Hold Joint Seminar on “Human Resource Management for Localization”

By Maho Sawatari

On July 21, 2017, the Japan Desk of John Clements Consultants, Inc. (JCCI) and the Nomura Research Institution held a joint seminar with the theme “Human Resource Management for Localization” at the Manila Golf Club in Makati City. Over 70 Japanese customers attended and deepened their mutual understanding of each other as a result.

Localization is a key factor for successful overseas expansion. These days, Japanese companies try to localize management in the Philippines but experience difficulties in hiring and training managers to be talented in the eyes of management. In this seminar, examples of how to build the systems of human resource development were given, and various approaches from both internal and outside recruitment were introduced.

In her welcome speech, JCCI President & CEO Carol Dominguez said, “The Philippine economy continues to grow as one of the fastest in Asia, and we trust this means new opportunities for you, and hopefully more opportunities for us. I certainly hope that this seminar will be very helpful to your companies.”

Three sessions by Japanese presenters were conducted. First, Ms. Makiko Takaoka, General Manager of Nomura Research Institute (NRI) Singapore Pte. Ltd. Manila Branch, gave a presentation on an “HR system to develop Filipino executive candidates”. She emphasized that Japanese companies have struggled to employ and cultivate talented local executive candidates, since they understood how important it was.

Ms. Takaoka explained that the most important thing was to make them change their minds regarding the commitment and responsibilities of management, and making decisions as one company. She also provided concrete examples such as introducing 360-degree feedback as a fair performance evaluation system, and transferring decision-making authority to candidates through valued sharing and clear management vision.

Second, Mr. Yoji Yanaka, Senior Director of TS Kelly Asia Pacific, a partner of Persol Holdings, presented the “Point of attention for aiming at localization of local subsidiary”. He explained why Japanese companies couldn’t localize, gave examples of barriers to a globalized Japan head office (e.g. communication is only in Japanese), and reasons behind the struggle to cultivate local Japanese speakers and the occupation of key positions by Japanese staff.

Mr. Yanaka also shared solutions on hiring talented local staff members and how to develop long-term employment, which includes reconsidering recruitment, clarifying evaluation content, and planning opportunities for training and education.

Third, Mr. Takahiro Toda, President of N-PAX Professional Services Philippines, Inc., gave a presentation on the “Current condition of AI and the effect on personnel affairs”. He defined what AI is by showing some typical technologies and its features. After providing some examples of AI such as AlphaGo and Fintech, he introduced companies that used AI as an innovation for personnel affairs to mark job description and check emotional recognition through interviews.

Mr. Toda emphasized that executives should prepare for rapid changes in automation, and that HR departments also should start collecting big data to utilize information for people development planning.


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About the author:

Maho Sawatari was previously employed at a major consumer electronics manufacturer in 2013 and was subsequently assigned to the head office in account sales. In 2015, she underwent overseas training in the Philippines and transferred here in 2017 to work at the Japan Desk of John Clements Consultants, Inc.

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