The iron and steel industry is one of the world's largest emitters of CO2 and is said to have a significant impact on climate change. Therefore, JFE Steel's "Carbon Recycling Test Blast Furnace Construction Project" was launched as a measure to achieve carbon neutrality (the concept of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to virtually zero) by 2050. This project also sets a goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 30% or more by FY2030 compared to the level in 2013.

The challenge of reducing emissions using the conventional blast furnace method has made it difficult to reduce emissions, and this has given rise to a movement to "change the way steel is made," and the construction of a new type of blast furnace that reuses rather than emits CO2 is a revolutionary step in our times. In order to verify whether a theoretically feasible blast furnace can actually be operated, a small-scale test blast furnace will first be constructed over a period of about three years with the help of government support funds. A plan has been initiated to conduct demonstration tests over the next two years.

I was the leader of the project team, which consisted of four members including my supervisor, and my main responsibilities included sales of equipment, parts, and other materials and equipment required for the blast furnace construction, customer interviews, negotiations, and information gathering for the next phase of the project. He was also responsible for gathering information for the next project plan. The scope of work was very broad, ranging from projects costing several tens of thousands of yen to several hundred million yen, and in this project, we proceeded to receive several hundred requests and orders.

The construction of a blast furnace requires a huge variety of materials and equipment, ranging from small parts to large facilities. What is required on site and what kind of proposals can we make? With many competitors in the market, we decided on policies and guidelines internally, shared and collaborated with suppliers, and negotiated with customers. We worked together as a team to manage coefficients, update lists, and confirm progress in order to ensure the safe and smooth execution of the project, while maintaining cutting-edge knowledge and a high level of expertise.

During this two-year blast furnace construction project, I realized once again the strength of JFE Shoji Trade's organization. The company culture values people-to-people relationships, and at important strategy meetings held within the company, opinions were exchanged without regard to hierarchy, giving me a strong sense of the organization's commitment to winning each project. Outside of the company, as we have long been involved in materials and equipment sales as a trading company in front of JFE Steel, we were able to leverage the connections among personnel who were acquainted with each company to engage in projects on an organizational basis that transcended the boundaries of individuals and teams. I feel that the fact that I was able to advance the project while realizing the difficulties of leading a project as a leader was due to the sustained human relationships and business initiatives within and outside of JFE Shoji Trade.

I also feel that the fact that I have been able to receive orders and handle projects that are appreciated by customers and suppliers is due in large part to the high level of expertise I have developed over many years in handling steel from upstream to downstream, while developing a wide range of businesses as a trading company.

I think that honest people are suited for this position. If you are a person who does not lie and can utilize the opinions of those around you to expand your own sense of values, I believe that those around you will help you no matter what difficulties you face. JFE Shoji is the kind of company where each individual has a core and something that shines through.

When I was job hunting, I was more interested in the kind of people I would be working with than in what I would be doing, and I decided to join JFE Shoji after hearing the personalities of the senior employees working in the Equipment & Supplies Division and their stories about their work. Coming from a liberal arts background, I started out as if I was seeing drawings for the first time when I first joined the company. Starting with small projects such as bolts and screws, I accumulated knowledge and experience while learning how to read drawings and structures from my supervisor, and ended up being involved in projects such as this one, which was the start of a period of change. I am able to take on the challenge of opportunities to grow in the field even though I have only been with the company for three years, because of JFE Shoji Trade's organizational strength and good human relations. I would like to continue working with people who can collaborate with those around them and absorb various opinions.