Shinto Mitsunaga, President, Weblio Philippines. Inc
Japan is a country known for its technological advancements, rich cultural heritage, and unyielding pursuit of excellence. Yet, despite these remarkable strengths, there is one area where some Japanese often feel a sense of hesitancy and reluctance: learning the English language. While English proficiency is seen as a valuable asset in today’s globalized world, many Japanese individuals still struggle with mastering the language.
Born and raised in Japan, Shinto Mitsunaga faced similar struggles when it comes to learning English. In fact, he used to hate English until he was 21 years old. But his path took an unexpected turn when he travelled to Sri Lanka to teach baseball. With his weak grasp of English, he had to rely on a translator to communicate. But this proved to be a challenge as the translator was adept at English but was not well-versed in baseball. This is when Shinto decided to break the language barrier and learn English.
He moved to Toronto and started learning the language and as his English got better, he was amazed by his newfound ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds through the power of English communication. This transformative experience made him realize how much English is important in becoming globally competitive. He thought that if only the Japanese can see how wonderful the English language is then they can explore the world and make a difference. Keeping this vision in mind, he started looking for a new job which led him to Weblio Philippines, Inc, an affiliate company of GRAS Group, Inc. (formerly Weblio, Inc.), with a head office in Tokyo, Japan. GRAS Group, Inc. is the leading provider of school lessons to junior high schools and high schools in Japan.
Expanding Mankind’s Possibilities
Being aware of the struggle of learning English as a non-native speaker, Shinto made it his mission to help other Japanese people overcome this challenge. And this is one of the reasons why he joined Weblio, a company dedicated to expanding mankind’s possibilities by offering the best learning opportunities and tools for all learners for an affordable price. With a range of services that include the largest online dictionary in Japan, vocabulary checkers, personal vocab lists, and translators, Weblio is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to broaden their knowledge and English skills and become globally competitive.
As the president of the company, Shinto has been successfully leading it toward growth and prominence for the past five years.
Working together towards a Common Goal
Shinto believes that at Weblio, they are not simply a business entity, but a team where every aspect of their operations is crucial to their success, and each team member plays an indispensable role in their achievements. For instance, their sales team in Japan works tirelessly to acquire new clients and build lasting relationships while their devoted customer support team ensures clients can easily schedule their English lessons with efficiency and convenience. Moreover, the team responsible for providing top-tier tutors ensures that clients receive the best possible educational experience. Weblio recognizes the immeasurable worth of each team member, comprehending that every role is important and every task is essential. “A lot of people are working towards reaching the common goal of Weblio and everyone is indispensable,” affirms Shinto.
Every single day, thousands of home-based tutors at Weblio work tirelessly to provide English lessons to eager Japanese customers. And as a leader, Shinto takes the time to express his heartfelt admiration for the crucial role these tutors play in the lives of the students. He personally has visited around 500 home-based tutors. Every time he sees a tutor, he makes sure to convey how vital their work is to the happiness and progress of the Japanese people. For the past four to five years, Shinto has been visiting countless homes and engaging with numerous tutors. Even in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, he has continued to offer his support and encouragement to these tutors through online channels. Shinto’s unwavering commitment to the well-being of his tutors and their students is a testament to his exceptional leadership and his deep appreciation for the transformative power of education.
Continues Bringing the Gift of English Fluency to Japanese People
As Shinto looks to the future, he envisions Weblio as a thriving business that transforms lives. Currently, Weblio imparts its educational expertise to only a fraction of Japanese students, but its ultimate goal is to bring the gift of English fluency to a larger portion of the populace. It also aspires to extend its sphere of influence beyond Japan to empower individuals worldwide.
As a leader in the field, Shinto pledges to make a meaningful impact on the world and the Japanese people, by continuing to empower individuals and organizations through the power of English education. “We are cognizant that many Japanese educators grapple with the challenge of teaching English, and it is our solemn vow to provide the necessary resources and solutions to conquer the Japanese market. And when we emerge victorious in our endeavour, we may well broaden our footprint and extend our services to other countries, forging a legacy that reverberates for generations,” concludes Shinto.