Aya has been working as an HR Manager at Pepperl+Fuchs in Japan for almost three years and is responsible for all HR matters in Japan and Korea. At the same time, she is the mother of four children. For this year’s International Women’s Day, she shares in an interview how she balances career and family, combining modernity and tradition.
Hello Aya, orこんにちは, as it would be said in your native language. Can you give me some insight into your area of responsibility?
Sure. I work full-time as an HR manager at Pepperl+Fuchs and am responsible for all HR matters in Japan and Korea. Since I manage this area independently, I take care of all HR-related tasks. I handle recruiting, organize trainings, manage payroll, conduct employee interviews, and support local managers. In addition, there are further organizational responsibilities, in collaboration with HR colleagues abroad.
You work and take care of your family at the same time. Would you describe yourself as a modern yet also traditional woman?
Yes, absolutely. Through my work, I want to continue developing myself and be financially as well as emotionally independent. At the same time, spending time with my family is very important to me. I try to attend school events and activities of my children as often as possible on weekends. At the same time, I encourage them to handle many things independently. For example, they go to their extracurricular activities on their own instead of us driving them. My husband supports me a lot as well – we are equal partners in a team. Everyone contributes their part.
Breaking down barriers
In your opinion, which structural barriers need to be removed so that women do not have to choose between career and family?
I think one major hurdle is the general expectation that women take primary responsibility for childcare. This often leads to women interrupting their careers. To overcome this hurdle, men must equally support and be encouraged to take time for childcare. Here in Japan, the government has set a goal that by 2030, 85% of men should take parental leave. If this initiative is successful, it could help create a more balance system in which both men and women have equal opportunities to pursue their careers while also starting a family. I believe this change is very important for future generations.
What changes would you like to see for women in the professional world?
In recent years, we have seen more and more women in leadership positions. This sends a strong signal – especially in countries like Japan, where there are still not many female leaders. It shows that leadership does not depend on gender and hopefully encourages young women to envision themselves in such roles. I sincerely hope that we can continue to break down prejudices and reservations toward female leaders. I would like to see a world in which female leadership is simply taken for granted.
International Women’s Day invites us to pause and reflect
What message would you like to share with other women who want to pursue both a career and family?
The balance between career and family may not always unfold as originally planned. Especially after the birth of a child, many women initially take a step back or move away from their career goals. But this is only one part of your long journey – and your long career. The experiences you gain during this time – patience, resilience, empathy, and strength – will stay with you and help you in the future. I firmly believe that every experience helps us grow in some way. So please don’t hold yourself back just because you are a woman! Keep challenging yourself, move forward step by step, and believe in yourself. You can be successful in many different roles and at many different stages of life.
Does International Women’s Day have a special meaning for you?
Yes, it gives me the opportunity to pause and consciously reflect on how far we as women have already come. At the same time, in encourages me to think about what we can continue to do to strengthen each other and create true equal opportunities – so that we can grow and succeed together.
