Introduction

Hi there. This is emim who joined the company in June 2025!

In this article, I interviewed the new members who joined in June 2025 and collected their first impressions after starting work at KINTO Technologies. I hope this article will be helpful for those interested in KINTO Technologies (KTC) and serve as a reflection for the members featured here!

Jun

• Self-introduction
  • I work on a business system for used vehicles as a member of the Business System Group in the Business System Development Division.
  • Two jobs ago, I worked as a PM on contracted development projects at a system integrator. Most recently, I was involved in developing B2B SaaS products at a startup.
• How is your team structured?
  • Our team handles system development and operations for KINTO's used vehicles.
  • Our team consists of five KTC members including myself. Most of the development (programming) is outsourced to partners, and KTC members mainly handle product management, project management, requirements definition, system design, and operational maintenance.
• What is the atmosphere like on-site?

  • We're constantly reviewing operations and systems as the business expands, and actively adopting new technologies. It's a dynamic environment where there's never a dull moment.

  • In the system I am currently working on, we use Java for the backend and Vue3 for the frontend. We haven't been able to utilize AI much yet, but we are trying to use GitHub Copilot and Devin in development.

• What made you decide to join KTC and were there any surprises?
  • I joined KTC because I wanted to develop systems in a company where IT is directly connected to the business. We’d like to dedicate more time to developing solutions that make operations and system management easier, but we haven’t been able to get to that yet.
• What do you like about the office?
  • There is a small break area with a tea machine, where I can enjoy the sunlight. I always eat lunch there. It’s not especially luxurious, but it offers a refreshing change of pace.
• Question from S to Jun

  You mentioned wanting to drive various cars. Please tell me which car you are most interested in right now and why!

  • It's the GR Yaris. I want to try driving a genuine sports car.

Nakano

• Self-introduction
  • I work in the Digital Transformation Solutions Group, a team that provides digital transformation support for dealerships. I am involved in PdM work and future planning tasks.
• How is your team structured?
  • The team consists of eight members, including PdM and designers, working on the design and direction of the dealer digital transformation products.
    We are advancing the project in collaboration with the sales and development teams in the same division.
• What is the atmosphere like on-site?
  • Everyone is calm, kind, and capable!
    I was impressed that everyone has not only system development skills but also a deep understanding of and interest in the complex dealership operations.
• What made you decide to join KTC and were there any surprises?
  • At my previous company, an advertising agency, IT was just one part of the business. I wanted to work for a company where IT is the core focus and knowledgeable professionals gather. My impression hasn't changed since joining. This is a place where experts gather!
• What do you like about the office?
  • I work in Osaka Tech Lab. I really like the the panoramic view of Osaka from my desk. (It can be seen from any seat.)
    One of the perks of this office is the mountain view. It helps me unwind between tasks.
• Question from Jun to Nakano

  Please share one thing you found amazing after joining KTC🙇

  • I was amazed by how many proactive and positive people there are!
    Since I joined, things are constantly moving forward. Everyone's so proactive about their work, technical growth, expanding our sites, and more. (The team spirit at Osaka Tech Lab is seriously incredible!)

Kazuki Otaka

• Self-introduction
  • I am Otaka, who joined the cloud security group in June! I work on cloud security, leveraging CSPM and threat detection mechanisms to monitor compliance with guardrails and drive continuous improvement activities across our multi-cloud environment. I have also written the KTC tech blog articles in the past. Please feel free to read them. (For past articles, click here)
• How is your team structured?
  • There are three of us, two in Osaka Tech Lab and one in Jimbocho office.
• What is the atmosphere like on-site?
  • The atmosphere is calm, and the people are very warm and welcoming. Internal study sessions, lightening talks, and Beer Bashes are frequently held. There are many highly skilled and professional people. I want to do my best not to lag behind!
• What made you decide to join KTC and were there any surprises?
  • In my previous job, I had many opportunities to work on building systems in on-premise environments. I decided to join KINTO Technologies, which builds systems entirely in the cloud, as I wanted to acquire skills in building and operating systems using cloud environments. I feel that we are in an environment at the forefront of cloud infrastructure operations more than I had imagined, with IaC (Infrastructure as Code) being advanced mainly on AWS and the verification and utilization of generative AI being pursued.
• What do you like about the office?
  • Usually, it's quiet and calm. But when equipment was suddenly installed in the office and a PoC began, I could really feel the spirit of people trying new things, and I quite liked that.
• Question from Nakano to Kazuki Otaka

  Please tell me about the interesting and difficult aspects of security work!

  • Security risks can severely affect the business when issues arise, but on the other hand, overly strict security can obstruct business operations and development. As cyber attacks evolve, finding the balance between implementing and operating necessary security without hindering business growth is challenging, but that's also what makes it interesting.

Yuna

• Self-introduction
  • I am Yuna, part of the Business System Division's Business System Group, which develops business systems used by dealers. Currently, I work on a renewal project for the system used by dealers during business negotiations.
  • Recently, a car I subscribed through KINTO was delivered, and going for drives every weekend has become my new hobby.
• How is your team structured?
  • It's a team of three full-time employees including myself. I am working on requirements definition and maintenance operations while receiving daily support from the leader and another team member. I am working steadily to contribute while absorbing new knowledge and skills.
• What is the atmosphere like on-site?
  • I have been warmly welcomed both in and outside my team. It is a very nice atmosphere.
  • Although KINTO's products and operations are complex with much to learn, I'm catching up smoothly with excellent guidance from my team.
• What made you decide to join KTC and were there any surprises?
  • I joined as a product manager, continuing from my previous job.
    To advance my career, I searched for a company where I could pursue what I wanted to do as a product manager. That's how I found KTC.
  • During the interview, I talked with the current manager and leaders about the job details, and I really liked the team's vibe. Those were the deciding factors.
  • I knew before joining that I would be working in a more tech-oriented area than in my previous job. However, once I started, I realized the role required more advanced skills, and I've been learning continuously ever since.
• What do you like about the office?
  • I work on the 16th floor of the Muromachi office. It is directly connected to Mitsukoshimae Station and Shin-Nihonbashi Station, making it comfortable even on rainy days.
  • There is a Starbucks within the building, and there are many restaurants and shops nearby, making it a very convenient environment. Taking a short walk during lunch break is a good way to refresh myself, and it helps me work better in the afternoon.
• Question from Kazuki Otaka to Yuna

  Do you have a favorite among your hobbies of making sweets and baking bread? Once I was also into bread, and I used to go to a bakery near Tokyo Gakugei University!

  • Recently, I've been enjoying making "Mayonnaise Corn Bread" topped with plenty of seasonal summer corn. The sweet corn and savory mayonnaise infuse the fluffy bread dough with flavor. Even the wait while it bakes is a joy.

emim

• Self-introduction
  • In the Engineering Office, a cross-organizational team, we conduct analysis, create systems, and engage with various divisions and teams from a designer's perspective to enhance the overall development capabilities of the organization.
• How is your team structured?
  • There are only three members in the team, including myself. One is a manager who focuses on the entire organization while being a front-end developer, and another is focused on improving software processes and development productivity. The other is me. I undertake various initiatives to enhance designers' presence within the development organization.
• What is the atmosphere like on-site?
  • The Engineering Office is highly distinctive. Everyone works on different things and we're not in one location, yet we collaborate and share information remarkably well. I think this is because the team has members with some unique skills.
• What made you decide to join KTC and were there any surprises?
  • I've always liked cars but the mobility industry was something unfamiliar to me. Then, I thought that I could apply my skills acquired so far, and I submitted my application.
    Before joining the company, I was given quite detailed information by my team members. So there wasn't much of a gap.
• What do you like about the office?
  • Working in Nihonbashi Muromachi makes my commute enjoyable every day.
• Questions from Yuna to emim

  I heard you like movies and TV dramas. Are there any films or shows you've seen that have influenced your work in design?

  • Thank you for remembering my hobbies! I really love sci-fi, and I'm always excited when I come across UIs and devices I've never seen before. My decision to pursue design stemmed from my desire to design such unknown/novel devices. I tend to study and approach design with a focus on information architecture, creating systems that can properly deliver information across any type of digital device.

Taka

• Self-introduction
  • I believe my work is about creating strategies in the space between n=1 (individual cases) and statistical generalizations. I love quantitative data analysis and in-depth interviews for achieving goals, and I could do it forever. The three important impulses that have shaped my life are "Observe," "Weave a story," and "Curate."
• How is your team structured?
  • We have members with experience at operating companies (from large enterprises to startups), talented data analysts, and skilled engineers.
• What is the atmosphere like on-site?
  • Culturally, we're a team that values a goal-driven mindset. We value a proactive approach to problem-solving that isn't constrained by convention.
• What made you decide to join KTC and were there any surprises?
  • I joined because I have a hypothesis that individual-focused marketing is crucial during this period of global transformation in the automotive industry and I wanted to put this into practice and drive change.
• What do you like about the office?
  • The bright sunlight coming in through the large windows on the 16th floor of the Muromachi office. It's nice to work with a view of the open sky and plenty of natural light, since we're not surrounded by tall buildings.
• Questions from emim to Taka

  I heard you've worked in various roles throughout your career. Is there anything you feel is unfinished or that you haven't accomplished yet? Also, what are your ambitions at KTC, and how do you plan to use your best skills here?

  • Well, I've worked in different roles, but I actually feel that my core hasn't changed, and I believe what I've been doing is "design to connect people." The one thing I haven't accomplished yet is starting a business. My ambition is as I wrote why I joined the company!

S

• Self-introduction
  • I work in a team that develops the front end of KINTO ONE (a new vehicle subscription service).
• How is your team structured?
  • The team consists of eight engineers (six in Tokyo, one each in Osaka and Fukuoka).
  • We adopt a Scrum development framework with one-week sprints.
• What is the atmosphere like on-site?
  • I'm the only one based in Osaka, so I primarily communicate with other team members online. The team has a welcoming atmosphere where it's easy to ask questions.
  • When I ask questions in chat, I get quick responses, so I don't have any issues at work.
• What made you decide to join KTC and were there any surprises?
  • I joined because I believe the mobility sector will continue to evolve, and I wanted to contribute to the product development that supports that growth.
  • I was able to learn thoroughly about the team before joining, so there was mostly no gap between my expectations and reality.
• What do you like about the office?
  • I like that the office is directly connected to Osaka Station, making commuting easy. I also appreciate how spacious and clean it is, and I find it interesting to see areas designed
    to look like a garage and roads inside.
• Question from Taka to S

  Please tell me if you have any experiences where you talked about something you really like or find interesting, but the other person was put off. (Your true impulses might be hidden there.)

  • I find complete nutrition foods convenient and easy to prepare for my daily meals, so I'm trying products from various manufacturers. My refrigerator is filled with those. When I tell people about it, they often get taken aback.

In Closing

Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts after joining our company!

There are more and more new members at KINTO Technologies every day! We will be posting more stories from our newcomers across divisions, so stay tuned!

And yes, we are still hiring! KINTO Technologies is looking for new teammates to join us across a variety of divisions and roles. For more details, please check here!