Aiming to improve our presence in Europe in the field of semiconductors, an essential component in EVs

Hallo! (Hello!) Nice to meet you. I’m Hikari Tsukada, currently working at Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V.’s German Branch (MEU-GER) as an On-the-Job Training (OJT) Global Trainee Program placement.

I joined Mitsubishi Electric in 2018 and was assigned to the Semiconductor Devices Division at our Chubu Branch Office. I was a national sales representative for power semiconductors for automobiles, involved in growing sales, adjusting deadlines, and customer service.

The chief mission of MEU-GER, where I currently work, is to support sales expansion and new market development among European automobile manufacturers. In concrete terms, this involves tasks like visiting European customers to promote new products and preparing to exhibit at Europe’s largest semiconductor trade fair, which is held in Germany.

Power semiconductors are devices among the many types of semiconductors that can control and convert electricity. They can supply power from small to large amounts, and serve as the "muscles" of electronic devices. The automotive power semiconductors I handle are essential components in electric vehicle (EV) motor drive systems, and significant demand is expected with the growing trend of EV adoption. EVs are already more common in Europe than in Japan, making it a market with very high potential. While I feel some pressure due to high expectations from the top management, I also find fulfillment in the increasing connections with new customers.

A welcoming place to work with values worth emulating

• The stylish Kantine
• Everyone loves udon day

• My colleagues at the office
• Germany means sausages!

The office environment is highly welcoming and I am blessed with wonderful colleagues. Workstyles are flexible, so people can shift their working hours forward and leave early if they have private plans, or work from home, or work alternate days during childcare leave. Everyone is skilled at balancing work and private life, and I think Japanese people could learn from this value system. Also, in Germany it’s common for employees to stagger extended vacations of one to three weeks at various times of year, including summer, Christmas, and Easter. My placement here started during the summer vacation period, and with so many people taking vacations in turn, it took about two months before I was able to greet everyone in person. I was struck by this difference in how Germany, as a nation, views vacation time.

Daily discoveries that only a resident can make

My usual daily schedule looks like this:

Off the clock

A German-style morning set enjoyed with a colleague

On weekends, I do my best to visit neighboring countries and towns and participate in seasonal observances and events. I also go out for morning coffee on days off with my closest German colleague, or invite them to my home. We even went to the Christmas market together.

Actually living somewhere is different from traveling. You experience local customs and events for yourself, and notice differences in culture and values that you might overlook if just passing through. Personally, I think of these new discoveries and stimulating experiences as one of the great things about a local placement. Here are three experiences from daily life that have left a powerful impression on me to date:

• At a soccer match. The fans’ passion heats up the whole stadium
• German fast food: a kebab sandwich. Apparently invented in Germany

1. Greeting culture

People in Germany greet not only colleagues and close friends but also supermarket employees, neighbors, and sometimes even people they pass in the street. (I am occasionally surprised to learn that two cheerfully chatting people have never met before.) I enjoy the custom of exchanging a "Schönen Tag!" ("Have a nice day") or "Schönes Wochenende!" ("Have a nice weekend") when parting, and do my best to proactively greet others as well.

2. Celebrating birthdays

Sharing a huge home-baked cake with everyone

In Germany, people celebrate their birthdays by organizing a party for those around them (to express their gratitude). This might include inviting friends to a party or bringing a home-made cake or sweets to share with colleagues at work. I was also surprised to learn that congratulating someone before their actual birthday is taboo.

3. Carnival in Düsseldorf

February is carnival season, and in Düsseldorf, on a Monday called Rosenmontag, there is a parade to celebrate the arrival of spring, with people throughout the city dressing up in costumes and giving away sweets. Seeing normally conservative German people—young and old, male and female—dress up in eccentric costumes and join the parade, beer in hand, made quite an impression on me. I have also experienced the long, dark German winter, so I think I was able to enjoy carnival in the same spirit as the other residents of Düsseldorf.

Scrambling for candy tossed from the floats

Understanding different values and communicating as equals

What I have felt most strongly during this overseas placement is the importance of understanding the diverse values individuals have and of communicating as equals. In Germany, I feel a sense of safety and the warmth of the people, but I went through a period when I felt gloomy about conversations with locals due to worrying about others’ attitudes. However, by trying not to worry too much and, in a sense, adopting a more open approach, I found that I often received surprisingly positive responses. Even when I encountered indifferent or unkind reactions, I learned to accept them as part of that person's values, which helped me establish a good distance in my relationships. This approach applies to work as well. Instead of interacting based on the country, company, or department, I found it important to understand and respect the individual values of the person while not overthinking things. This has led to better relationships with customers and colleagues, and I realized it is crucial for smooth work progress.

Finally, the OJT Global Trainee Program brought me into contact with cultures and values I would not have noticed while simply traveling or on a business trip and helped me meet new people. These experiences have broadened my horizons. I have had my share of culture shock over things that would be unthinkable in Japan, such as frequent transportation cancelations delays, and strikes; parcels being accepted for me by neighbors; people bringing dogs and bicycles onto trains. However, I take pride in having developed greater courage and adaptability than ever before. These experiences have allowed me to get to know Germany better and have made me love this country even more.

Our company has many associated companies around the world, so employees have a high chance of forming overseas connections through business. I hope that this article was useful to anyone who has any interest in working overseas, or in embracing a new challenge. Thank you for reading this all the way to the end!

• A spot of sightseeing in Naples, Italy, after a conference
• Oktoberfest on its home ground
• The company Christmas party
• German cuisine is incredibly hearty
• Hohenzollern Castle is like something out of a fairy tale
• Sometimes I drive to Holland