Women's success

Work

Gender has nothing to do with work or career

Since joining the company in 2010, I have been involved in technical work related to aerospace equipment. I have worked on commercial aircraft landing gear and products for Ministry of Defense. I am currently responsible for the maintenance design of aircraft propellers and pneumatic equipment, as well as the design and development of propellers for Ministry of Defense. In 2016, I was promoted to a senior position. Two years later, in 2018, I was promoted to assistant manager, a position similar to that of a section chief in a typical company. Perhaps due to my competitive swimming background in junior high, high school, and college, I have a competitive spirit. I wanted to keep up with my peers in the industry, and I enjoy being entrusted with more responsibility. Above all, I find great fulfillment in being deeply involved in aerospace development, a field I have admired since my student days. Even now, as a mother, I continue to enjoy my days fulfilled by working on responsible work and developing the aerospace industry I love.

Life

Marriage, caregiving, infertility treatment

We got married in 2014. My husband's mother was paralyzed on the right side of her body and had aphasia. My father-in-law cared for her, but perhaps from overworking himself, his health deteriorated. Tests revealed colon cancer. From there, we began caring for both my mother-in-law and my father-in-law. My father-in-law passed away just over six months after the diagnosis. My husband and I now take on the role of caring for my mother-in-law, a role my father-in-law had supported until then. During this time, we began to desire children, but we struggled to find a partner. I wondered if my life would be dominated by work. Perhaps this was even more so because I was taking a senior position exam at the same time. Still, we refused to give up, and began infertility treatment in 2016. During the two years of infertility treatment, we took three weeks off to have uterine fibroids removed, which had been interfering with the treatment. While undergoing treatment, we also attempted the assistant manager's exam. I was happy to pass, but it felt like my career was the only thing moving forward in my life plan.

Childbirth and child-rearing

A few months after starting work as an assistant manager, I found out I was pregnant. I watched over and nurtured her from the time she was still a tiny egg, and gave birth to my daughter in October 2019. Raising my child during the COVID-19 pandemic meant that daycare placement wasn't as easy as I'd hoped, but I was able to spend more time with my daughter, which I consider to be invaluable. In June 2020, I returned to work after about nine months of maternity and childcare leave. I began juggling work and childcare. Amidst my busy schedule, I was also thinking about having a second child. It might take time, just like with my first. Just as I was thinking about starting preparations, I felt a kick in my stomach. I rushed to the hospital and found out I was six months pregnant. Everyone around me laughed at me, saying it was strange that I hadn't noticed. I went on maternity leave in April 2021 and gave birth to my son in May. After about nine months of childcare leave, I returned to work at the end of April 2022. I am currently working reduced hours from 8:30 to 16:15, but I am still in my position as assistant manager, and I am doing what I love most: designing aerospace equipment.

Balance

The system, my colleagues, and my family support me.

My husband is the one who mainly provides caregiving, but I can't rely on him alone. There are times when I need to respond suddenly. Of course, the same goes for childcare. There are sudden fevers, vaccination appointments, nursery events, etc. At times like these, I balance my work and family life by using paid hourly leave or working from home. Our company also has a work-life balance leave system that allows me to take leave for childcare or nursing care. Just like paid leave, this is accumulated (up to 60 days). When combined with this system and paid vacation (up to 40 days), I can take up to 100 days of leave, which is very helpful.

More than just having a system in place, the most important thing is having colleagues who understand and support work-life balance. It was a senior colleague at my company who gave me the impetus to start fertility treatment. My boss at the time was also understanding when I had to come to work 30 minutes late in the morning for treatment. After giving birth, they adjusted meeting times to accommodate my reduced working hours and have supported me in finding a work style that minimizes overtime and business trips.

On the other hand, I believe that I am able to lead a fulfilling life thanks to the understanding of my family. No matter how hard my work is, seeing my children's faces makes me feel better. I used to be very competitive at work, but talking with my children has made me think that it might be okay to take my career a little slower over the past few years. I think the appeal of Precision is that you can find your own balance in life.