Based on my experience, I would say that graduating is like receiving a general pass to the working world. Don’t limit your potential to only what you studied (like medical bioscience) and just stick to that alone. I was surprised to find that I was interested in running a store, and had the talent to do it. If I had stayed in the lab, that’s probably where I’d still be today. But now I have had the experience of being a store manager, and have had the chance to be involved in a global exchange program with Japan.

And not only Japan. UNIQLO is able to offer global careers in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. As long as you are willing to try, you have a chance to succeed. There will be ups and downs, of course, and the journey will not be easy and come with challenges, but the corporate culture at UNIQLO is kind and encouraging. There are many people who are willing to help as long as you ask, and they will help you to achieve your goal. So, I would like to share the message: just challenge yourself. Consistent effort will help you get what you want. Just don’t feel constrained by what you know now, as there are many things you can do that you have yet to discover.

That’s what I’ve learned from my experience. I never thought of myself as a store manager or area manager when I first graduated. But UNIQLO gave me the training and opportunity that helped me become the best I can be.

Now, my next goal is to contribute to further expanding business in Malaysia, and I want to encourage others to follow a similar path. With the skills of a store manager, you can achieve so much more. You will strive to improve sales, train your staff, and come to understand what it takes to run a business. You can enjoy being a business owner, and imagine yourself owning a store. There is so much that can be done to improve customer service.

This is an especially exciting opportunity for a new graduate. Don’t limit yourself. That’s my message.

When I was in high school, I lived in Canada for a year as an exchange student, where I had the opportunity to spend time with friends from various countries. This experience convinced me that in the future, I wanted a job where I could contribute to people all over the world , regardless of race or nationality.

When considering my career options and researching various companies, I became interested in UNIQLO because I felt it was seriously aiming to become the world’s leading apparel company. Because clothing is something that everyone uses every day, clothes directly affect people’s lives. I also strongly empathized with the UNIQLO corporate philosophy of “Changing clothes, Changing conventional wisdom, Change the world.”

At the time I decided to join the company, UNIQLO had stores in fewer markets than it does today. I saw that the company was aiming to grow, and I greatly wanted to be part of that global expansion and contribute to starting up operations overseas, so I decided to apply. I also wanted to learn how a Japanese company approaches starting a business when expanding into a new global market.

Though UNIQLO now has several stores in India, in the beginning we faced the challenge of raising recognition of our brand, which was initially low. However, no matter the location, once customers tried our products they always came back, and we are seeing for ourselves how UNIQLO is rapidly becoming part of the lifestyles of Indian people. One thing that surprised me was that we also see customers in our India stores from neighboring Bhutan, and even Africa. It just goes to show that the value of LifeWear is universal.

Fast Retailing is a company that provides opportunities for all employees. UNIQLO offers a work environment that is merit-based, with a commitment to gender equality, and where everyone can play an active role regardless of their birth or upbringing. This approach means that the men and women who work with us are able to share their aspirations, shape their careers, and carve out their own future, which is undoubtedly a source of great motivation.

I think that enriching lives in emerging markets through clothing, and providing opportunities through employment, is also an admirable way of working for peace. By opening stores around the world, UNIQLO brings happiness to both customers and employees. If UNIQLO can become a catalyst for deepening mutual understanding on a global scale, it can contribute to world peace.

Every day I go to work with the feeling that UNIQLO is a bridge to a more peaceful world. That is why I want to further expand our business in India, applying the knowledge and expertise I have acquired here for our next success. The feeling I had when I first joined UNIQLO - that I could help make a better world - has proven to be true.

"My overarching goal is to become COO/CEO to expand LifeWear and the UNIQLO business in India. To achieve that, I plan to first become a store operations head, and lead the entire country's business in the stores. Also, I would like to gain more business experience outside of India, either in a smaller country to develop the business from the fundamentals, or a larger country to learn about standardized operations and business processes. It could also be outside of Asia, which I have never experienced.

I believe that this business is not just about selling clothes. We empower local talent and grow the business together with them. This important social contribution is something that I want to continue, and I am very excited for the opportunity to do so."