Meet Shinto Mitsunaga whose journey is a testament to the transformative power of language and the pursuit of new opportunities. From his childhood in Japan to his career in the Philippines, Shinto’s story highlights the importance of communication in bridging cultures and fostering understanding.
Growing up in Fukuoka (0-2 years old) Prefecture and later moving to Kumamoto (2-18 years old), Shinto’s early years were shaped by his love for baseball. However, a lower back injury at 18 forced him to reconsider his career path, leading him to become a baseball coach. It was during his time teaching baseball in Sri Lanka that Shinto realized the significance of language in effective communication, prompting him to embark on a journey to learn English.
At 22, Shinto traveled to Toronto, Canada, immersing himself in English language study for seven months. This experience ignited his passion for language learning and opened doors to new possibilities. Upon returning to Japan, Shinto sought opportunities that would allow him to utilize his language skills and work in a global environment.
Despite initial challenges in finding the right fit, Shinto’s perseverance paid off when he transitioned to a role with a Tokyo-based company expanding its operations in the Philippines. In June 2018, Shinto embarked on a new chapter in his career, relocating to the Philippines to work in the field of online English tutorial services.
Through his work at Weblio Philippines, Inc., Shinto is dedicated to helping Japanese people become more proficient in English for communication. His journey from Japan to the Philippines reflects his evolving interests and aspirations, from his passion for baseball to his commitment to language learning and cultural exchange.
Shinto’s story serves as inspiration for individuals seeking to break barriers, embrace new opportunities, and foster cross-cultural understanding through language. As he continues to bridge the gap between Japan and the Philippines, Shinto embodies the transformative impact of language and the boundless potential of seizing opportunities beyond borders.
Remote Work in Metro Manila
Shinto explains that Weblio Philippines, Inc. is located in Makati, a city within Metro Manila, Philippines. Currently, they are implementing a work-from-home setup due to the circumstances, with most employees working remotely. While Shinto is currently at the office, only a few others are present, attending to essential needs. He mentions that the company has employees who are working remotely, along with home-based tutors who also work from home. These tutors are spread across various locations in the Philippines, residing on different islands.
The company’s primary service is providing online English tutorial services to Japanese customers, with clients located all over Japan, including regions like Tokyo, Osaka, Hokkaido, and Kyushu Island. Shinto proudly notes that Weblio Philippines, Inc. holds the largest market share in the school market in Japan and delivers English lessons to numerous customers on a daily basis.
Balancing between Responsibility and Growth
Shinto discusses his role at Weblio Philippines, Inc., where he holds significant responsibility for decision-making that impacts the lives of employees and home-based tutors. He emphasizes the weight of his decisions, recognizing that the directions he chooses can significantly influence the lives of those involved. His role involves making decisions related to human resources, assets, and financial matters.
Reflecting on his daily routine and responsibilities, Shinto acknowledges the challenges but expresses his willingness to face them. When asked about his happiest moments, he shares that witnessing the growth of individuals within the company brings him the most joy. Over the past six to eight years, as he worked to establish and build the company, he encountered resistance and complaints. However, seeing people gradually understand his vision and grow professionally brings him immense satisfaction.
Shinto emphasizes the importance of expanding possibilities, both for customers through the company’s products and for employees through their work. He finds fulfillment in witnessing employees and home-based tutors grow and expand their potential through their work at Weblio Philippines, Inc.
Strategies for Success
Shinto explains that despite having around 70 competitors in Japan, Weblio Philippines, Inc. has managed to secure the largest share of the school market. He attributes this success to several key factors. Firstly, he highlights the company’s excellent tutor management system, which enables them to efficiently maximize the number of lessons they can provide. With a pool of 2,000 tutors, they can offer a higher capacity compared to their competitors, ultimately attracting more clients.
Secondly, Shinto emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-quality service standards, especially considering the discerning expectations of Japanese customers. To meet these standards, the company ensures that their employees are familiar with Japanese culture and customer service expectations. They regularly send Filipino staff to Japan to experience the culture firsthand and align their service quality accordingly.
Lastly, Shinto underscores the significance of keeping both employees and tutors aligned with the company’s goals and vision. Despite having a large workforce, the company makes efforts to engage with each individual personally. Shinto himself visits the homes of the home-based tutors to discuss business matters and show appreciation for their efforts. Additionally, the company organizes parties and provides regular online training sessions to keep everyone informed and motivated.
By effectively managing tutor supply, maintaining high-quality service standards, and fostering alignment among employees and tutors, Weblio Philippines, Inc. has been able to distinguish itself as a leader in the Japanese online English tutorial market.
Transforming Education
Shinto highlights the significant impact that learning systems have undergone, particularly influenced by factors like the pandemic and technological advancements. He notes that since the pandemic, the perspective of school clients has shift.
Today, taking online lessons has become the norm, not just for their clients but for many educational institutions in Japan. The widespread adoption of online communication platforms during the pandemic has accelerated this change. Even traditionally conservative schools that were hesitant to embrace online learning have been compelled to adapt to the new reality.
This shift reflects a broader trend in the education sector towards embracing digital solutions and remote learning technologies. As technology continues to evolve and reshape the way people learn, it’s essential for educational institutions to remain agile and responsive to these changes. Weblio Philippines, Inc. has played a part in driving this transformation by offering high-quality online English tutorial services that meet the evolving needs of their clients and the education sector as a whole.
Vision for Organizational Culture
Shinto emphasizes the concept of autonomy within the company as a key aspect of their organizational culture. Autonomy, in this context, refers to employees understanding the necessity and background of their tasks and making decisions based on that understanding, rather than simply following instructions from superiors. Shinto believes that fostering autonomy among employees leads to greater motivation, job satisfaction, and ultimately better outcomes for the company. He describes a scenario where instead of simply instructing employees to perform certain tasks, they are provided with the context and rationale behind those tasks. For example, if the company decides to implement coaching sessions to reduce issues, Shinto ensures that employees understand why coaching is necessary and how it contributes to the company’s mission of expanding mankind’s possibilities through their online English tutorial services.
By aligning employees with the company’s mission and goals, and involving them in discussions about the financial implications of their work, Shinto aims to empower them to make informed decisions and take ownership of their responsibilities. This approach not only increases employee engagement but also promotes a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the organization.
Shinto acknowledges that achieving autonomy within the company is challenging but emphasizes the importance of striving for it nonetheless. By fostering open communication, providing clarity of purpose, and empowering employees to contribute meaningfully to the company’s objectives, Shinto believes that autonomy can be achieved, leading to a more agile, motivated, and successful organization.
Expansion Plans
Shinto discusses the expansion plans for Weblio Philippines, Inc., highlighting the potential for growth beyond their main customer base of Japanese junior high and high school students. He mentions considering the possibility of catering to elementary schools and universities in Japan, recognizing the untapped market potential in these segments.
Moreover, Shinto discusses the prospect of venturing into new markets beyond Japan where there is also demand for English language learning services. While there are no concrete plans in place yet, he indicates that within the next five years, the company may explore opportunities to enter these markets.
This strategic expansion approach aligns with the company’s goal of expanding its reach and providing English language learning services to a broader audience, both within Japan and in neighboring countries. By diversifying their customer base and geographical presence, Weblio Philippines, Inc. aims to further solidify its position as a leading provider of online English tutorial services in the Philippines.
Approach to Learning Leadership
Shinto emphasizes the simplicity of his approach to growing and developing as a learning leader. He uses a hypothetical scenario involving a group of 10,000 individuals from various nationalities, where a portion of them, say 100 people, express a desire to grow, learn, or achieve something.
By framing the concept in this straightforward manner, Shinto underscores the universal desire for personal and professional development across diverse backgrounds and cultures. This perspective allows him to approach leadership with a focus on meeting the needs and aspirations of individuals who seek growth opportunities, regardless of their nationality or background.
Shinto’s approach highlights the fundamental human drive for improvement and learning, which serves as a guiding principle in his role as a learning leader.
The Power of Persistence in Leadership
Shinto’s advice to everyone stepping into a leadership position for the first time is simple yet profound: don’t give up. He emphasizes the importance of persistence and perseverance in the face of challenges and setbacks.
Drawing on the analogy of academic study, Shinto highlights that success and achievement do not come immediately but require consistent effort and dedication over time. Just as one must continue studying to achieve good grades, leaders must persistently work towards their goals, accumulating knowledge and experience along the way.
By encouraging students to maintain their resolve and resilience, Shinto underscores the value of persistence as a key attribute in leadership development. This advice serves as a reminder that success often comes to those who persevere through difficulties and stay committed to their objectives.
