Why I chose remote work and relocation to Fukuoka for childcare after 11 years in Tokyo.

The interviewee this time is a dedicated member who, despite relocating from Tokyo back to his hometown of Fukuoka, Kyushu, remains committed as a frontline manager in the field of PR.

I asked him about the difficulties and joys of working in the Kyushu area, where the concept of PR isn’t as common as in Tokyo.

Members
Ryutaro Hayashida  PR Div. Dept.4 Group2 Team Leader

ーー After joining the company, what tasks have you been in charge of?

Ryutaro: I was part of the Media Relations Department for about three and a half years after joining the company. My responsibilities included planning and proposing ideas to feature the products of the projects I was in charge of in TV programs, magazines, web media, and other outlets. During this time, I experienced the excitement of creating news and the satisfaction of contributing to product sales, which made me realize the potential of PR.

I was mostly involved in spreading plans and ideas to the public, but from the fourth year onwards, I started working as a PR director, focusing on understanding clients’ challenges and needs through active listening.

After becoming a director, it’s been exciting to hear clients find my ideas interesting and see them come to life as planned. But at the same time, there’s also been moments of uncertainty and conflict, wondering if everything is going well. When you’re being paid to do PR, you have to contribute to the client’s sales. I’ve learned that it’s not just about doing something fun; there’s a bigger responsibility involved.

From around the fifth year, I also started taking on team management responsibilities. Managing a team with diverse backgrounds and skills posed different challenges compared to PR work, but through this experience, I feel I’ve improved my communication with clients as well.

ーー Do you have any particularly memorable projects
Ryutaro: The Shibuya redevelopment project has been close to my heart since I joined the company, and I’m still involved in it today. In April 2012, shortly after I joined, Shibuya Hikarie, the first leading facility in the Shibuya redevelopment, opened, and I had the opportunity to handle its PR.

At that time, SUNNY SIDE UP was taking on PR projects across various genres, but it was a period when the company was focused on building a track record in commercial facility PR. So, I believe it became a turning point for the company as well.

I also had the opportunity to get involved in many significant projects that could be considered flagship projects for SSU, such as Shibuya Stream and bills in Shibuya.

The widespread adoption of remote work led to the decision to return to Fukuoka

ーー When did you start considering moving to Fukuoka?

Ryutaro: At the beginning of my career, I thought about working hard in Tokyo for a few years first, but I always wanted to return to Fukuoka someday. However, once I started working, I found the work in front of me so enjoyable that time flew by. I didn’t have a specific time frame in mind for returning to Fukuoka.

I began thinking about returning to Fukuoka when remote work started due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before that, I commuted to the Tokyo office every day, but with more remote work opportunities, I started considering if I could work from Fukuoka too.

Also, having a child was another factor. When discussing with my wife, who is from Fukuoka, about where to raise our child, we both agreed that Fukuoka would be the best choice.

ーー You are the first fully remote employee at SSU. Could you tell us about the process of relocating to Fukuoka?

Ryutaro: I first talked to my boss about moving to Fukuoka. Then, we started figuring out how to handle remote work and management. Since it was new for the company, we had to adjust policies, set goals, and figure out my role. It took about a year of preparation before I finally moved to Fukuoka.

I want to boost PR in Kyushu and eventually establish a branch office there

ーー It’s been about a year since you moved to Fukuoka. How has your lifestyle and mindset changed?

Ryutaro: It feels like after all the preparation to come to Fukuoka, there’s no turning back to Tokyo. While there’s some worry about contributing effectively to SSU while working remotely, I’m determined to make it work.

My lifestyle has changed in terms of how I manage my time. When I lived in Tokyo, I used to stay up late, often going out for drinks with colleagues after work. However, since moving to Fukuoka and working from home while also taking care of my children, I don’t go out much at night anymore. Now, I am a morning person.

It’s often surprising for people in Kyushu to learn that I work for a Tokyo-based company, but I feel welcomed and appreciate the opportunities that come my way in terms of projects and collaborations.

A scene from a meeting with a professional sports team based in Fukuoka.

ーー What kind of projects are you currently working on?

Ryutaro: While continuing to work with clients in Tokyo, I’m also involved in projects for local governments and manufacturers in Kyushu, including Fukuoka. It’s more like expanding my base rather than relocation, so I handle about half of my clients in Tokyo and the other half in Kyushu.

In Kyushu, I often collaborate with local agencies on projects. PR results are not always easily measurable in terms of percentage increases in sales when requested, and many people in Kyushu are still unfamiliar with the idea of “hiring PR services.” Therefore, at the moment, we are working on promoting PR by proposing it together with the advertising services of local agencies.

ーー Do you have any memorable projects in Kyushu?

Ryutaro: Recently, we showcased the streetcars in Kagoshima Prefecture, which have been running for over 100 years, on a web platform. Local topics usually stay local if simply announced, but by sharing our intentions and challenges, we can turn them into national news.

A photo with the participants of the “MAGMA YAKIIMO TRAM” photo shoot.

Local communities also have a desire to reach a national audience, so I want to gather and share the thoughts of various companies and organizations even more.

ーー What possibilities do you see in Kyushu?

Ryutaro: Kyushu offers a rich variety of tourist attractions, such as food stalls in Fukuoka and hot springs in Oita. Kyushu’s local governments are also focusing on tourism as part of their inbound strategies, so I see potential in collaborating with them on PR initiatives.

ーー What are your future plans and goals, and what challenges do you wish to pursue?

Ryutaro: I want to share the potential and excitement of PR with more people in Kyushu. If they recognize the excitement of PR, there will be more requests for SSU, and I believe more students will aspire to enter the PR industry. Currently, I am the only member working in Fukuoka, but eventually, I hope to liven things up to the point where SSU can establish a branch office in Kyushu.

A photo taken when I moved into the satellite office “ASO&Co.”

At SSU, there’s an environment where you can challenge yourself without being limited to living areas or working locations.

I am excited to collaborate with anyone eager to showcase the undiscovered charms of regions like Kyushu to the rest of the world!