Self-Introduction

Mr. N : I have been with Tachibana Device Components CO. (TCD) since TCD was established in 2013.

Mr. D : I have been originally involved in the development of LCD displays, with past experiences working on eye-tracking glassless 3D display and glass fingerprint sensor that utilizes display manufacturing processes.

Mr. N : Consistently engaged in design work?

Mr. D : I started my career in manufacturing engineering, operating exposure and etching equipment.Afterwards, I worked in a variety of departments such as design, R&D, new business department.

Sense of fulfillment at work (2)

Mr. N : Are there any CMOS image sensor products you currently have but want to develop further or improve?

Mr. D : By combining various technologies with CMOS image sensor, we can make the invisible visible.
For example, by integrating IR technology (for distance measurement, temperature measurement, etc.), I would like to explore many possibilities.

Mr. N : There are existing customers we are jointly developing with.So, it could be beneficial to work together with another TCD members, why don’t you try it?The key point is not just finding fulfillment, but enjoying the work.Enjoying your work is important.To enjoy your work, it’s essential to learn the workflow and gain knowledge.By learning and understanding, you become able to do what you want to do.That leads to a sense of fulfillment.

Mr. D : Request : We would like TCD engineers to create tools, such as evaluation boards, that the sales team can utilize.I hope TCD engineers direct their idea and passion towards sales.

The ideal type of leader

Mr. N : Leadership requires not only giving instructions but also verifying that the work has been done; otherwise, people won’t follow.
I hope to see a person grow who is capable of comprehensive management.Rather than finding a replica of myself, I want to find and develop someone who shares my vision and is willing to advance together in the same direction.

Mr. D : The kind of person I look for in a leader is someone who can clearly put their dreams into words.(It’s okay if it’s not perfect.)

Mr. N : believe TCD will become an environment where people can share their dreams.
I want TCD members to create interesting products with genuine enthusiasm.From now on, we are entering a phase where we will take on various challenges.

Future plans

Mr. N : One of the attractions of Tachibana Device Components is our line of self-developed products.I joined the company to work on self-developed products.
Our strength is the ability to design products with conviction and creativity, while ensuring they are marketable.Lately, we have been actively exhibiting at some events, which has also helped us strengthen our marketing activities—something we hadn’t been able to do effectively in the past.

Mr. D : I would like to develop a range of IoT demonstration unit to showcase at exhibitions.(One option is to focus on making the devices smaller.)

Mr. N : By exhibiting concept products from Tachibana Device Components, we want to showcase our capabilities and our commitment to developing innovative new products.(like concept cars in motor shows.)

Others

Mr. N : How about having not just one-on-one talks, but also discussions between sales and development?I expect TCD members to have regular brainstorming sessions.

What makes working at Tachibana Device Components (TCD) fulfilling?

Mr. M : I've been part of the Development Department since TCD was established, and I still remember every single project that successfully reached production phase.
Among them, what I find most fulfilling is when I receive enthusiastic feedback from our customers who express genuine interest and say, "Let’s do it!"
During the development stage, we sometimes face difficulties, but I believe it's important to confront each challenge head-on and find the right solution.I hope to pass on the knowledge and experience I've accumulated to junior colleagues and new employees.

Mr. S : In the Administration Department, many tasks are hard to evaluate visually, and rather than utilizing specialized knowledge, we’re required to resolve issues across multiple fields.
We often have opportunities to support other departments, which requires strong communication skills.That said, I feel it’s a department where we can actively pursue a comfortable and efficient working environment.I also think it's a great advantage to be able to take a broad, overarching view of the company’s growth as a whole.

How would you describe the working style at TCD?

Mr. S : Generally, there are two main approaches to work organization—one where roles are divided into teams, and another where each person takes charge of a specific position. At TCD, we follow the latter.Each individual takes responsibility for their work, and collectively, everything comes together.
Also, as long as you clearly communicate what you want to do, the company will provide solid support as an organization, and the Administration Department will also be there to back you up.

Mr. M : When TCD was established, we created internal rules that require the agreement of key persons in each department for project progress.
For example, in the Development Department, we have a rule to conduct Design Reviews (DRs) when launching projects.These DRs have been improved over time, enabling us to incorporate feedback from across departments.In the future, I would like to build a system that enables even broader collaboration except DRs.

Can you tell us about the new initiatives of committee activities?

Mr. M : This year, we launched several committees, including the New Electronic Filing System Implementation Committee,the ISO Promotion Committee, and the Education Committee—all of which I participate in.
For instance, in the Education Committee, we’re currently developing training materials for new employees.We’re preparing explanatory materials about each department’s duties & responsibilities, holding briefing sessions with members outside the committee to review the content, and continuously improving the materials.
Until now, training content for new employees has depended on the person in charge,but from now on, we aim to standardize education using these materials.

Mr. S : Although I’m not directly involved in any committee, I’m especially glad the Education Committee was launched.
Many internal documents are written for those with prior knowledge, which makes them difficult for mid-career hires from different industries to understand.I hope the committee’s activities will help improve this situation.
The Administration Department is also considering how to support new employee training, and we’re preparing to support not only mid-career hires but also future fresh graduates.

What are your thoughts on the future of TCD?

Mr. S : We're currently in the process of digitizing documents, and I would like to accelerate this initiative.As the TCD plans to increase its employees, the number of employees will continue to grow in the future.
For example, we would like to introduce systems that can automatically handle tasks like travel expense reimbursements,as well as solutions that streamline the currently time-consuming processing of paper documents to reduce manual work.
Also, creating a relaxing office space where cats can freely roam might boost overall employee efficiency.So, I think it's an idea worth considering.

Mr. M : From a development perspective, we aim to secure long-term projects while remaining agile enough to respond to market trends.
Looking ahead to the company’s future, we need to increase the number of in-house developed products.To achieve this, we would like to bring in fresh talent and new perspectives to change the atmosphere,and we hope to expand our team by welcoming new members who can contribute their skills.

What is the current attendance system like at TCD?

Mr. M : I work remotely twice a week, which I find extremely convenient—especially for tasks like preparing documents that require focus.
I try to schedule those tasks for my remote-work days.That said, online meetings have pros and cons.For example, it’s often hard to remember faces after online meetings with new clients.There are times when face-to-face interaction is simply more effective, so I believe we need to balance in the right way. Currently, I still have to come to the office to get physical stamps on documents,but I hope to further improve our remote work system, including new electronic filing system.

Mr. S : In addition to telework, we also offer flexible working hours.I personally work from 7:00 AM to 4:15 PM (instead of the standard 8:45 AM to 5:30 PM).
The Yamanote Line is less crowded in the early morning, and I can avoid busy times at the supermarket on my way home.Flexible working hours are also helpful from a health perspective, allowing us to avoid crowded spaces during flu season or other outbreaks like COVID-19.