Procurement & Logistics Division Keika Shimada

“Being a little ambitious” Is the Driving Force That Moves People Forward

Musashi Paint Holdings Co., Ltd. is Looking for New Team Members

Please introduce yourself.

I am originally from China, and after graduating from a university in Japan, I joined Musashi Paint.

I currently live with my husband, my eldest son who is a university student, my second son who is in junior high school, and our two cats aged three and two — a lively family of six. On weekends, I enjoy cheering for my children at their soccer games and going out to explore great restaurants with friends. I also refresh my mind and body through hot yoga, and one of my favorite hobbies is collecting succulents. Before I knew it, the shelves at home were filled with them!

What kind of work do you do at Musashi Paint?

I belong to the Procurement & Logistics Division, where I am responsible for procuring raw materials and semi-finished products from domestic and overseas suppliers, including overseas group companies, and supplying them to sites in Japan and abroad. In addition, to ensure a stable supply of raw materials across the entire Musashi Group, I regularly hold meetings with members at overseas sites and provide support from Japan.

Why did you choose Musashi Paint?

I was interested in trade operations and was looking for a position where I could utilize my language skills. That was when I encountered Musashi Paint.

At the time, I had just graduated from university, had no experience as a working professional, and was a foreign national. The fact that Musashi Paint warmly welcomed me under those circumstances became the decisive factor in my decision to join the company.

What do you find attractive about Musashi Paint?

When I joined the company in 2008, there were already many employees of different nationalities actively working here. Today, Musashi Paint has expanded globally, operating in 16 locations across 11 countries in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Within this diverse cultural environment, I feel that Musashi Paint’s greatest appeal lies in its corporate culture, where anyone — regardless of nationality, age, or gender — can take on new challenges as long as they are motivated. Another very attractive point is the supportive work environment. Many employees are parents raising children, and there is a strong culture of mutual support that allows us to cooperate with one another even when sudden time off or family matters arise.

When do you feel a sense of fulfillment in your work?

The mission of the Procurement & Logistics Division is to ensure a stable and uninterrupted supply of essential raw materials for manufacturing. Therefore, when we can export raw materials according to the customer’s requested delivery schedule and see them safely received at the destination without any issues, I feel a strong sense of achievement and fulfillment.

What do you look for in your work?

Above all, I value a sense of fulfillment.

In recent years, growing environmental awareness has led to increasingly strict global regulations on chemical substances used as raw materials for paint. Especially when exporting or importing new materials for the first time, careful attention must be paid to compliance with regulations in each country, international transportation conditions, and whether customs clearance is possible in the importing country.

I continue learning every day while coordinating closely with suppliers, internal departments, and import-side personnel to carry out my work.

Overcoming difficult challenges one by one and feeling my own growth through these experiences has become a major driving force that keeps me motivated.

What kind of colleagues would you like to work with?

I would love to work with people who are positive and cooperative.

When team members can think positively even in difficult situations and work together to overcome challenges, it brightens the atmosphere of the workplace and naturally creates a positive environment. I would be very happy to work alongside colleagues with whom we can support each other and grow together.

Please share a message with our readers.

If even a small part of this resonates with you, I encourage you to take a step forward with courage.

In both work and private life, I believe that being “a little ambitious” can become a powerful driving force that pushes people forward.

Appetite, desire for possessions, curiosity and thirst for knowledge, the pursuit of self-fulfillment, the desire to connect with others, and the competitive spirit of wanting to win — these are all natural and very human desires. By valuing these desires in a healthy way, let’s fully enjoy both our work and our private lives!

Comments from Colleagues and Seniors

What kind of person is Ms. Shimada?

• She has a very bright and kind personality, is extremely attentive, and is someone you can always rely on. Even in areas outside her own responsibilities, she is the kind of person who would readily help if you asked — truly embodying the philosophy of Musashi Paint.

• I have worked with Ms. Shimada since she was dispatched staff engaged in trade operations, while I was involved in procurement. After she once left Musashi Paint and later rejoined, we ended up working together again in trade operations, which means we have now worked together for over ten years. Over such a long period, there were times when she would firmly say, “Please hurry!”.

• Her administrative skills are outstanding. She is always cheerful, active, and incredibly warm-hearted. She proactively takes care of many small but important things that are not necessarily part of her official duties, making her feel like the “mother” of the workplace. Having both spent many years as working mothers in the same department, she is an indispensable presence for me — someone I can talk to about both work and private matters.

• Ms. Shimada supported us greatly during project activities. If I had to describe her in one word, it would be “like a god.” She responds to any consultation with a smile and offers accurate advice, making her an incredibly reliable presence. I cannot count the number of times her smile has helped me through difficult moments. Her kindness and depth of knowledge bring a sense of security to the entire team. Just knowing she is there makes us feel reassured.

What do you expect from Ms. Shimada?

• She has increasingly taken on a role where she teaches others and oversees work from a broader perspective. By being aware of this responsibility and continuing to absorb knowledge in areas beyond her daily tasks, such as CSR activities, I believe she will grow even further.

What do you respect about Ms. Shimada?

• She is trilingual, speaking Chinese, Korean, and Japanese, and she is always positive, action-oriented, and considerate of others. After attending an AI video training session, she immediately applied what she learned and completed project materials — something that truly impressed me. This is just one example, but I also deeply respect how she remains attentive to customers and her surroundings no matter how busy she is, and how she instinctively notices things like wet floors on rainy days and quietly wipes them up.
• She always maintains a smile and never speaks negatively. “Just do it,” the company slogan for this fiscal year, perfectly describes her approach. She embodies it more than anyone else and is someone I truly admire.

A message to Ms. Shimada

• Thank you always. Trade operations are directly affected by changes in the external environment and can be challenging, but I am confident that you will continue to enjoy and thrive in this role. Let’s keep doing our best together!

• I am always inspired by your work ethic and your incredibly active weekends. I look forward to watching you continue to evolve and cheering you on from close by.
• With your wonderful personality, you are always in high demand for work and projects. Please continue to take care of yourself and prioritize your health as you move forward.
• Whenever I visit the Iruma site, you always greet me with a warm smile. Your thoughtfulness can be seen everywhere — from reception to the women’s restrooms.
• When I participated in the in-house club BBQ for the first time, you welcomed me so warmly, and I was deeply impressed by how attentively you cared not only for employees but also for their families.
• Please continue to enjoy both work and private life with that “little bit of ambition,” and grow together with everyone at Musashi Paint through your brightness and kindness.