Sophia Magazine vol.3 / SUMMER 2016

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play active roles around the world based on what they have learned in Japan. Is there anything they can learn at Japanese companies?M: First, I would also wish students from abroad to be happy, and would say the same things to them as I would to Japanese students. Further, it may be of some help for them to learn about Japan during its period of rapid economic growth in order to understand how business is conducted. International students may sense the job rotation system of Japanese cor-porations as being different. Compared to the U.S. and parts of Europe, companies in Japan value long-term employment; however, in Japanese companies, human resource transfer orders are given from the top down in many cases. However, Volvo Group provides a bottom-up system called Volvo Re-cruitment Online. Through this, employees can apply for any vacant position in the Volvo Group around the world. This means that employees can try for any position that appeals to them.S: That is a wonderful system, an eye-opener. Although learn-ing new skills and solving immediate problems tend to be the center of attention, I agree that learning history is very impor-tant in a global society. It is believed that knowledge of history, philosophy, and ideology needs to be a foundation for build-ing our future. For this reason, Sophia emphasizes a liberal arts education.M: Indeed! And, I would add, while it is important to learn the histories of other countries, I think an understanding of the history and values of your own country is also very im-portant.S: I completely agree. Mr. Murakami, earlier you remarked on the importance of diversity. Currently, there are about 12,500 students studying at Sophia University including graduates and undergraduates. The ratio of men to women is 11:14, though the ratios vary somewhat from faculty to faculty. As for researchers and staff, the ratio of women is lower than that of men. Can you tell us the ratio of female managers in your company?M: Only 5% of the managers in the Japan Headquarters are women, so we have established a diversity and inclusiveness program to enlighten employees on the gender diversity issue as well. Our goal is to increase the percentage of female man-agers to 18%, the level of the Volvo Group as a whole. While we have yet to reach this level, the numbers are trending up-ward. In the past, there were almost no women working in UD Trucks, but it is higher now than the ratios in competitor truck manufacturers. In this regard, mentors are important.S: I feel the same way, because having a mentor, even though one may not recognize their contribution, has great influence on the course of a person’s life. I hear from lots of students about how their lives have been changed by just one encour-aging word from a Professor or Father from the Society of Jesus on campus.M: That has been my own experience when I lived abroad on business. My boss from the United States played the role of mentor and greatly inspired me to move forward.S: Like the Volvo Group has a diversity and inclusiveness pro-gram, our university takes diversity and connections among people seriously. When Sophia commemorated its 100th an-niversary in 2013, it promoted a new ideal: “Sophia – Bringing the World Together,” in addition to the educational philosophy since its foundation, “Men and Women for Others, with Oth-ers.” Sophia wishes to be both a “hub,” where people connect and a launching pad, a place from which graduates of Sophia launch productive careers that contribute to society. We hope to continue learning from your company’s global business and contributions to Sophia in order to nurture “people to bring the world together.” Thank you very much for your wonderful talk today.M: Thank you very much.28Cooperation

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