Meet Our New Team Members: August and September 2024 Update (Part 1)

 IntroductionHello, I'm kh, and I came on board this September! In this article, we asked those who joined the company in August and September 2024 about their impressions immediately after joining the company, and summarized them. I hope this content will be useful for those who are interested in KINTO Technologies, and serve as a reflection for the members who participated in the interview.
 NaitoSelf-introduction

I work in the Engineering Office. I'm involved in improving processes across different product teams.
What is the structure of your team?

The Engineering Office was just established in January and consists of two people.
What was your first impression of KTC (KINTO Technologies) when you joined? Were there any surprises?

Thanks to the interviews and chats I had before joining, there weren't any major surprises. The company has offices in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, with people frequently coming and going between them. On my very first day, I met several colleagues from the Nagoya office and thought, 'Wow, Nagoya’s actually pretty close! As I started chatting with more people in the company, I realized how embedded "kaizen" is in everyday work. Everyone knows about the Toyota Production System (TPS), which impressed me.
What is the atmosphere like on-site?

I've been reaching out to various development teams for chats and advice, and everyone has been genuinely kind. I really appreciate how they loop me in and make me feel part of things!
How did you feel about writing a blog post?

I had been reading tech blogs before I joined the company. So being on the writing side now feels pretty exciting.
Question from Mari: Why did you choose this company?

Cars are a familiar part of my daily life, so the domain naturally caught my interest. On top of that, I felt like KTC is a company that's going to keep evolving—and I wanted to be part of that journey and enjoy the changes firsthand.
 R.Y.Self-introduction

I'm originally from Hong Kong and moved to Japan in 2023. After graduating, I joined KTC this August, and now I'm part of the Security & Privacy Group.
What is the structure of your team?

In the Security & Privacy Group, we're divided into teams based on our responsibilities. I'm on the Defense Team, where I mainly handle vulnerability assessments and respond to security consultation tickets.
What was your first impression of KTC (KINTO Technologies) when you joined? Were there any surprises?

The office is really spacious, with lots of open areas that everyone can use freely. There are also plenty of study sessions and social events, so you get the chance to pick up knowledge beyond your daily work.
What is the atmosphere like on-site?

Everyone is friendly and easy to talk to. In addition to work, there are all kinds of Slack channels for hobbies and local topics, so it's easy to connect with others who share your interests.
How did you feel about writing a blog post?

Looking back on everything I've experienced over the past three months—and getting to share it with future team members—makes me genuinely happy.
Question from Naito: I'd love to travel to your hometown, Hong Kong. Please let me know if you have any recommendations for sightseeing or food!

If you're a Disney fan, Hong Kong Disneyland is a must. The park is compact, so it's easy to explore the whole park in one day. When it comes to food, Hong Kong has tons of delicious local comfort food. Some examples of must-tries: chewy and bouncy curry fish balls, fish-meat shumai, and rich, bold-flavored Hong Kong-style milk tea. Eating on the go is common in Hong Kong, so dive in and enjoy the experience of this culture. (By the way, you can try some popular Hong Kong eats right here in Japan too—check out the Tam Jai Sam Goh Official Website if you're curious.)
 tHytSelf-introduction

Hi, I'm tHyt from the Mobility Product Development Division. While I take on some engineering lead responsibilities, I mainly work as a front-end engineer.
What is the structure of your team?

Our team has nine members, with specialists across front-end, back-end, and infrastructure. It's a well-rounded crew.
What was your first impression of KTC (KINTO Technologies) when you joined? Were there any surprises?

Since the company is still relatively young, I expected some areas might be underdeveloped in terms of systems and structure—but to my surprise, everything was impressively well organized.
What is the atmosphere like on-site?

I'm based at the Osaka Tech Lab, and since the members aren't many, there's always chatter happening across teams. It keeps things interesting. All of my team members except for myself work in the Muromachi office, but we enjoy working together through daily meetings and business trips.
How did you feel about writing a blog post?

I knew about these new joiner blog posts even before I joined the company, and the day has finally come for me to write one...! That's how I feel. I'm looking forward to using the tech blog to share more than just intros!
Question from R.Y.: After joining the company, was there anything you struggled to get used to? How did you overcome it?

Hands down, business trips. Since I'm the only one in my team based in Osaka, I travel to Tokyo about once a month to help keep communication flowing. (Huge thanks to the company for supporting that!) Before joining KTC, I had only ever been on one business trip, and I rarely took the Shinkansen—so at first, I was pretty anxious about it all. But now, I've gotten used to it and have no trouble traveling. Remote communication works well, but face-to-face interaction is different. I'd definitely like to keep that going.
 kh
Self-introduction

I'm part of the Analysis Group. My work mainly involves building the data infrastructure and collecting the data needed for analysis.
What is the structure of your team?

There are 10 people including the leader, myself, and folks from partner companies and temporary staff.
What was your first impression of KTC (KINTO Technologies) when you joined? Were there any surprises?

Since KTC is still a relatively new company, I was expecting a fast-paced, startup-like vibe. But it actually felt more relaxed—in a good way.
What is the atmosphere like on-site?

We are a group of people with a variety of backgrounds, and everyone brings something different to the table in a friendly vibe.
How did you feel about writing a blog post?

I’d known KTC was active with tech blog posts, so writing this felt like taking that first step into being part of that culture.
Question from tHyt: Got any tips for data analysis?

Well, I actually focus more on building the data infrastructure rather than doing the analysis itself, so this might not be the exact answer you were expecting. But no matter how great your data analysis is, it won't be helpful if the data quality is poor. Ensuring data quality at the platform level is, in my view, the essential first step in any successful data analysis.
 woshahuaSelf-introduction

Hi, my name is Gao. I work in the Woven Payment Solution Development Group! I'm a Chinese-born engineer with a solid Kansai dialect—it's stuck with me completely. My hobbies are basketball, sauna and poker. Recently, I've been working on a personal app that analyzes poker win rates—just for fun!
What is the structure of your team?

Our team is primarily made up of engineers, and we also work together with engineers from Woven. What I really like is that, no matter which organization we’re part of, everyone's aligned and moving together toward the same goals.
What was your first impression of KTC (KINTO Technologies) when you joined? Were there any surprises?

Even though KTC's attempt is still relatively new in the automotive field, it struck me as a company actively taking on a wide range of services and development projects. No big surprises, but I was honestly impressed by how much the company encourages technical sharing—and how there are study sessions going on nearly every week.
What is the atmosphere like on-site?

It's an environment where you're encouraged to explore all sorts of technologies, regardless of your past experience. Whenever I run into a roadblock, someone on the team is always quick to jump in and help. I really appreciate how supportive everyone is.
How did you feel about writing a blog post?

Both the company and the team are big on promoting tech knowledge, so I'm excited to contribute and share more going forward!
Question from kh: I heard that you have a pet. Does living with a pet affect your daily life or work?

Yes! I have a guinea pig at home, and just watching it after work is incredibly soothing. Being able to work remotely means I can spend more time with my pet, which I love. I truly think having emotional breathing room at work makes a difference in performance. My guinea pig helps ease the stress and gives me a nice mental reset!
 MariSelf-introduction

I'm a team member of the Development Support Division, Human Resources Group, Talent Acquisition Team. We are recruiting mainly engineers.
What is the structure of your team?

There are six of us, including myself—and starting in January, we'll all be working from the Muromachi office!
What was your first impression of KTC (KINTO Technologies) when you joined? Were there any surprises?

The office is lovely! All the engineers are easy to talk to—cheerful, approachable, and just fun to be around.
What is the atmosphere like on-site?

The atmosphere is joyful and open—everyone's kind, and honest. It's full of people who are not only hardworking but also genuinely considerate of those around them.
How did you feel about writing a blog post?

I wasn't sure what to write at first, but I ended up going with an honest take on how I’m feeling right now! I also got inspiration from reading everyone's blog posts!
Question from woshahua: How do you refresh yourself during work or on your days off?

During work, I like to go for short walks to clear my head. On my days off, I try to stay active—going out or hitting the gym whenever I can.
 C4
Self-introduction

I'm am part of KTC, but currently seconded to the KINTO Administration Department, where I mainly handle general office operations. My MBTI type is ISFJ-T, so I think I'm naturally suited for administrative work, though that might just be wishful thinking.
What is the structure of your team?

There are eight of us working at the Nagoya office, including myself.
What was your first impression of KTC (KINTO Technologies) when you joined? Were there any surprises?

My first thought was, "Oh, this office is really stylish." It was my first time working in an office, and I imagined it to be more formal, but the atmosphere in the team is relaxed and friendly, and we often go out to eat outside of work, so I think there is a lot of communication.
What is the atmosphere like on-site?

Not just my team, but everyone around me has been incredibly kind. Even when I ask questions during busy times, no one has ever reacted negatively or made me feel like a bother. We have weekly 1-on-1s and team meetings, which help me stay in the loop about what others are working on—even if I'm not directly involved—and I'm really grateful to have regular chances to talk through any challenges in my own work.
How did you feel about writing a blog post?

To be honest, I wasn't sure if a story from a non-engineer like me—doing admin and general affairs—would even be useful on a tech blog (laughs). But here I am, giving it a shot.
Question from Mari: My MBTI is ESFP! The results were eerily accurate, especially the part about struggling with details. What about you? Was ISFJ-T accurate for you? What parts hit home?

Oh, yes. Some parts hit a little too close to home, like "resistant to change," "perfectionist," and "self-critical" (ouch, right? lol). And that mindset of "If it makes someone else happy, I'll put myself second"—yep, that one definitely checks out. So yeah, I'd say the result was pretty spot-on. MBTI is great for self-reflection. I definitely recommend giving it a try!!
 MariSelf-introduction

I'm a UI/UX designer in the Retailer Digital Transformation Planning Team, part of the Mobility Product Development Division's DX Planning Promotion Group. I design products that support the digital transformation of dealership operations.
What is the structure of your team?

We've got one team lead, three directors, and four designers (including me).
What was your first impression of KTC (KINTO Technologies) when you joined? Were there any surprises?

Since the parent company is big, I expected a lot of structure—and that's definitely true. But at the same time, the atmosphere is surprisingly free and relaxed. No real surprises after joining.
What is the atmosphere like on-site?

It's busy and we've got a lot on our plates. But that just makes the work more rewarding. The team's full of energy, and everyone gets along great. Very positive and easygoing environment.
How did you feel about writing a blog post?

I wasn't sure what to write at first, but ended up just sharing how I genuinely feel! I'm also looking forward to reading everyone else's posts!
Question from C4: I heard you have a cat at home! I live with five myself. What's one product your cat absolutely loved? (Snacks, toys—anything!)

Five!! Amazing! 🥰 My cat's a bit of a diva—most things get the “how dare you present me this peasant toy” treatment. That said, Churu treats is her one true weakness—especially the premium ones with fancy ingredients. Total game-changer 😂 Also, not sure how she feels about it, but I got a Miruto automatic litter box—makes my life way easier and has been super helpful! Oh, and the cat tower I bought? She's never touched it. After a month of rejection, it sadly became oversized trash…
 FinallyThanks to everyone who shared their first impressions after joining!
There are more and more new members at KINTO Technologies every day! We'll be posting more new-joiner stories from across divisions, so stay tuned!
And yes — we're still hiring! KINTO Technologies is looking for new teammates to join us across a variety of departments and roles. For more details, check it out here!