When you hear the term "BEAMS buyer," you may think that it is a dream job for people who are interested in apparel. How did you come to be in your current position?

After graduating from university, I worked at a completely different company, but I quit and started working part-time at a BEAMS store. Within about six months, I became a contract employee, and a year later I became an employee. At that time, I moved to another store, and it was there that I was in charge of the label I am currently in charge of, ``BEAMS PLUS'', for the first time. So I worked there for about two years, then moved to the BEAMS PLUS store in Harajuku, where I worked for about three years...One day, I got a job offer and became a buyer.

I think only a handful of people become buyers, but what do you think is the important part of the evaluation?

Hmm...maybe, but I think that what I did when I was at a store, where I was allowed to go to exhibitions with buyers, and what I said at planning meetings between the store and headquarters, caught my attention.
I loved serving customers, so I was sad to leave the store, so I didn't really mean it at first (lol)

I have only vague knowledge of the job of a buyer as someone who vaguely buys products, but what is it like?

Of course, I go out to buy things, but when making bespoke (*special order) products, I'm involved from the planning stage, and when it comes to products that are original to my company, I also consider pricing while looking at the final product.

Do you have the image of visiting a wholesale store?

It's a little different from that, and I mainly visit manufacturers that I have relationships with, have meetings with them, and have them tour their factories. Sometimes, when I'm shopping around and find something good, I find the manufacturer and approach them.

What are the points to consider when choosing a product?

I try to think about whether the product fits the concept of the label, whether I want to sell it, and whether there are customers who would buy it if I picked it up. I think of the faces of my customers from when I was in the store and think, ``I think that person and that person would like this.''

What do you find rewarding?

I have about 90 wholesale accounts overseas, and it feels really rewarding when I receive a large number of orders for something I've made, or when something that I was involved in from selecting the manufacturer to planning and commercializing, such as a custom-made item, sells. It makes me happy to receive reactions from customers through Instagram DMs and comments, and to see people wearing them on the street.

I'm sure it's a tough job that has a direct impact on sales, but what is your day off like?

Basically, I'm closed on Saturdays and Sundays, and sometimes I get help from the store. When I worked at a store, it depended on the shift.

Considering things like daycare centers, the current weekends and holidays are helpful. In addition, how easy is it to balance childcare and work?

I think it's easy to balance work and work because the super flex system allows you to freely decide your working hours. My child hasn't started nursery school yet, but when I look at his senior's schedule, I see that he is always on time to pick up his child.

How do you spend your time with your children?

When I go out or go shopping, I always take my camera with me wherever I go. I bought it just before my baby was born because I wanted to preserve my memories. I think it makes everyone feel a little better than taking pictures with a smartphone. My wife sometimes says things like, ``I'm always looking at cameras again'' (lol).

Thanks to this, I am now being asked to take small photos at work (lol)

Today, you brought me some mementos of your time with your child, but do you also let your child touch BEAMS products?

This is a mini keychain from the brand L.L.Bean that BEAMS sells, and when my wife and son came to the store to play, my son apparently picked it up. I love using it because it's the perfect size to hold Tomica. My wife and I also use this large size, so it looks like parent and child have matching clothes. I don't think I know anything yet, but I'm happy if people like what I like.

Does that mean your wife also likes BEAMS?

Actually, I met my wife at work (lol). I plan on returning soon.

I see! Your child is a thoroughbred (lol). You can see the L.L.Bean logo on this stuffed animal as well.

Well, it's also an L.L.bean product, but I bought it on a business trip to America. My parents have a dog, and I wanted my child to like animals, so I bought this to get him used to it. It must have worked, and now I even squeeze my family's dog. When my son was still small, I used to take pictures with this to record his progress.

You mentioned that you want your child to love animals, but is there anything else you would like your child to grow up like?

Since we are doing what we love as a job, I hope that they will work hard and pursue what they love. I also try to take them to various events so that they can have as many different experiences as possible.

What do you want to achieve and what vision do you have in your future life?

After all, it's all about balancing work and raising children.
Regarding my work, I am involved in branding the brand Beams Plus. I feel like we're doing well overseas, but I think there's still a lot of room for growth domestically, so I'd like to be able to become an entry point for a wider audience. Regarding childcare, I took childcare leave for about a month, but I would like to take advantage of that system and actively make time to spend with my family.

I thought it might be difficult to take childcare leave due to the type of job, but the environment seems to be very understanding.

I think so. There seems to be a trend of taking childcare leave from generation to generation. A senior student was attending a meeting with her daughter the other day, and when I asked about it, she said, ``This is my daughter's independent research.'' It seems like the theme was my father's work (lol). I hope that the atmosphere that supports such child-rearing will spread.
In the first place, there are many marriages within the company, so I think this kind of situation is more likely to occur. We are now supported by a team.

As a senior father, please give a message to those who are raising children.

My child is only 1 and a half years old, but I feel like he grows up so quickly, so I really think it's best to cherish every moment and spend time with him as much as possible.