Building a Brighter Future by Carefully Addressing Challenges

ーTo begin with, please tell us about your work.

My main focus is arranging loans for employees at our partner companies, from initial applications and credit checks through to contracts and settlements, as well as real estate leasing. My real estate leasing work involves accounting processes for the company’s property purchases and sales, as well as management of contracts, keys, rent income, and maintenance expenses. I also process incoming stock dividends and payment requests relating to our investments. I especially like the detailed aspects of my work, and it’s really satisfying when the numbers line up perfectly.

I originally worked in accounting at two different companies before changing jobs in 2021. I decided to join this company because I’d always been interested in real estate through my family’s business, and I felt I could make good use of my accounting experience while building a stable long term career.

ーWhat was your reaction when you first heard about the name change?

Initially I was surprised. After becoming an equity method affiliate rather than a RICOH subsidiary, we’d already seen small changes over the past year, such as new email addresses, but now even the company name was going to change. However, once I learned the meaning behind the new name and logo, I understood that this wasn’t just a change for its own sake, but a transition made with respect for our history. The name RITRES combines the history that RICOH has built with the Latin word TRES, meaning ‘three”. This connects directly to the Spirit of Three Loves, which has been important part of our company’s heritage since its founding.

Items used in our day to day work that display the company name, such as contracts, the website, and email addresses, will eventually be updated. Our telephone greetings will change as well, and we’ll need to respond carefully and provide explanations when needed.

ーWhat were your impressions of the new name, RITRES, and the logo?

I found the design very refined. The fine details reflect our spirit of valuing tradition while continually taking on new challenges. The use of the lowercase “i” to represent humanity is very much in touch with our culture, and I found the red used as the brand color both effective and distinctive.

ーWhat do you think of the new brand slogan—“Empower the Future.”?

As we work to improve efficiency and upgrade our systems, there are many opportunities to grow by moving our day-to-day work in a better direction. I felt that the new brand slogan would really support that kind of progress. Its short, clear, and memorable wording also leaves a good impression. In many ways, it overlaps with the way that I value connections in my work.

When we improve our systems, we move forward in coordination with the relevant departments inside the company as well as our system vendors. When real estate is involved, property management companies also become part of the process. Because these tasks require specialized skills, there are of course aspects that can’t be handled by individuals, and by working together we often gain new insights. I find my work especially rewarding in those moments when people from different roles share their ideas and pool their knowledge toward the same goal.

ーHave there been any times when you personally experienced the company’s brand values—challenge and co-creation—in your work?

I’ve been inspired by the company’s willingness to make major changes, including the adoption of a new name. I feel ready to take on new challenges myself.

We recently had a training session on leadership, which I never saw as one of my strong points. However, I realized that there are many types of leaders, and that even I can still help everyone move forward together. As I gain seniority and work with junior colleagues, I want to take on the challenge of leadership in my own way, while valuing the perspectives of those around me.

ーFinally, what is your vision for empower the future?

I want to move step by step toward the transformation of my areas of responsibility through digital technology. A lot of our processes are already digital, but by improving efficiency wherever we can, such as the way that we handle accounting documents, for example, I hope to lighten the workload for both our customers and our colleagues. These may be small changes, but I believe they’re the kind of improvements that lead steadily toward a better future, so I want to keep building on them.