Mayuko UmenakaGeneral Affairs Group Leader, Biomass Power Plant Management Department, Biomass Energy Division

Empathy

I joined RENOVA in 2003, and was involved in the environmental consulting business. As the nature of RENOVA’s business have evolved, my job has also changed. After taking both maternity and childcare leave twice, I am currently in charge of general affairs functions in the operational management of biomass power plants. RENOVA plans to have six large biomass power plants in operation in a few of years’ time. We are building a system for operating the new plants on the assumption of various risks, to operate the new plants more smoothly and safely, using biomass power plants that are already in operation as a model. Our team members are working as one to pass the baton to the on-site managers properly when those plants begin operating in the future.
What I value in working is empathy. I try to add empathy to the things that I say, to ensure that people communicate with each other as smoothly as possible and make steady progress on projects, even when they are busy with work every day. I hope that I facilitate their work by being involved in their communications.

Sharing thoughts with other team members and overcoming challenges with them to achieve goals is a workstyle that I like. This is why I want people to work as comfortably as possible.

In the operational management of power plants, I think I must not forget that the team members in charge of on-site operational management are working 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and that responsibility carries an amount of stress every day. These people enable RENOVA to continue its businesses. I work daily with an awareness of the importance of these on-site workers’ opinions, in my efforts to develop a good business.

Flexibility to adapt workstyle
according to life stage

When I joined RENOVA in 2003, the company was only the CEO and around ten other staff members. All of them were working with a strong determination to create a good company and business, and to develop the company, and that corporate climate of working enthusiastically continues unabated.

I also like the free atmosphere of the company. Of course, a precondition of this freedom is responsibility. However, as long as you fulfill your responsibilities, you will never be forced to work in a conventional manner. I gave birth to two children and took childcare leave twice. Having returned to work now, I make a lot of time for my family. In the hard days after I gave birth to my first child, my superior once took over difficult jobs I was in charge of, telling me that I should prioritize my family. I appreciate that I am blessed with this work environment, which allows me to flexibly adapt my workstyle according to the stage of my life, and blessed with co-workers who understand my situation.

Among the employees working hard at RENOVA, there are many people who joined us as new graduates more than ten years ago, when the company was a venture firm. These employees, through their strong desire to grow the company by opening up new ways on their own, suggested new solutions one after another and have led the company. I would be happy if I can progress with the environmental solutions business step by step, together with people who feel it is worthwhile like those employees. I also value the human relationships I have with the team members who work at power plants, and the other people involved with RENOVA, in addition to the people from the head office. I want to overcome challenges together with them.

Mayuko UmenakaGeneral Affairs Group Leader, Biomass Power Plant Management Department, Biomass Energy Division

Graduated university with an economics degree
Joined in 2003

Interview