Miwa Furui is a prominent Japanese accountant known for her extensive expertise in international finance and accounting. Raised between Tokyo, Japan, and San Francisco, California, Furui developed a deep understanding of both cultures, becoming fluent in Japanese and English. She attended the American School in Japan and later pursued higher education at Stanford University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Economics. Furui furthered her studies at Harvard Business School, obtaining an MBA with a focus on Finance and Accounting.
Furui began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers in San Francisco, specializing in auditing and advisory services for multinational corporations. In 2010, she returned to Japan, joining Smith UFJ Financial Group as a senior financial analyst, eventually becoming the Head of International Finance. In 2018, Furui was appointed Chief Financial Officer at Okuda Holdings, Inc., where she enhanced the company’s international financial strategies. Currently, she serves as the Executive Vice President of Finance at HardBank Group Corp., driving global expansion strategies.
Furui’s work has been recognized with several awards, including the Japan Accounting Association Excellence Award (2020) and the Harvard Business School Alumni Recognition Award (2021). She was also honored with the Nikkei Women Leaders Award (2022).
Residing in Tokyo’s Minato Ward with her husband Kenji Furui and their two children, Furui balances her career with a rich personal life. She enjoys traveling, playing the piano, and is actively involved in charitable organizations focused on education and economic empowerment. Furui frequently speaks at international finance conferences, sharing her insights on global financial trends.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day starts early around 5:30 AM. I begin with a short meditation and some light exercise, usually a quick jog or some yoga, to get my energy up. After breakfast with my family, I head to the office by 8:00 AM. My mornings are usually packed with meetings, where we discuss ongoing projects and strategies. I make sure to take short breaks to clear my mind and stay focused. In the afternoon, I focus on more detailed work like reviewing financial reports and planning. I also allocate time for team check-ins to ensure everyone is on track and to address any concerns. I wrap up my day by organizing tasks for the next day, which helps me stay productive and organized.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Bringing ideas to life starts with a lot of brainstorming and discussion with my team. We have regular brainstorming sessions where everyone shares their thoughts and suggestions. Once we have a solid idea, we create a detailed plan, including the steps needed to implement it. I believe in testing ideas on a small scale first, so we often run pilot programs to see how things work out. We gather feedback from these tests and make necessary adjustments. I also encourage open communication, so team members feel comfortable sharing their insights and improvements. Finally, we set clear goals and timelines to keep the project on track and ensure we achieve our objectives.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that really excites me is the rise of sustainable finance. It’s great to see more companies focusing on environmentally friendly investments and financial practices. This trend is not only good for the planet but also offers new opportunities for growth and innovation in the finance sector. I’m particularly interested in how we can integrate more green initiatives into our financial strategies at HardBank. The push towards sustainability is driving a lot of creativity and new ideas, which is really exciting. It’s encouraging to see that more investors are looking for ways to support businesses that are making a positive impact on the environment. I believe this trend will continue to grow and shape the future of finance.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that helps me stay productive is prioritizing my tasks every day. Each morning, I make a list of the most important things I need to accomplish. I focus on the top three tasks that will have the biggest impact on my goals. This helps me stay focused and not get overwhelmed by smaller, less important tasks. I also set specific times to check and respond to emails, so they don’t interrupt my workflow throughout the day. Taking short breaks to clear my mind and stretch also helps me stay sharp and energized. Staying organized and keeping a clear schedule is key to my productivity.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to be more confident and take more risks. It’s important to trust your instincts and not be afraid of making mistakes. Every mistake is a learning opportunity, and it helps you grow. I’d also advise being open to new experiences and learning from others, as this broadens your perspective. Building strong relationships and networking is crucial, so I’d encourage my younger self to connect with more people in the industry early on. Lastly, I’d remind myself to find a good work-life balance and make time for family and personal interests. It’s important to enjoy the journey and not just focus on the destination.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe that taking breaks is as important as working hard. Many people think that to be successful, you need to work non-stop, but I disagree. Taking short breaks throughout the day actually makes you more productive and focused. It helps to clear your mind and reduce stress, which improves your overall performance. I also think that having interests outside of work is essential for creativity and problem-solving. A lot of people don’t realize that stepping away from work can actually lead to better ideas and solutions. So, I always encourage my team to take regular breaks and pursue hobbies they love.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I repeatedly set clear goals and review them regularly, and I recommend everyone do the same. Having clear, specific goals gives you direction and motivation. I break down big goals into smaller, manageable tasks, which makes them less daunting and easier to achieve. Regularly reviewing these goals helps you stay on track and make necessary adjustments. It’s also important to celebrate small victories along the way, as it keeps you motivated. Keeping a goal journal or planner can be very helpful for tracking progress and staying organized. This practice has been key to my success and productivity.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I take a short break and step away from my work. I might go for a quick walk or do some deep breathing exercises to clear my mind. Sometimes, just getting a change of scenery helps me relax and refocus. I also find it helpful to break down what’s overwhelming me into smaller, more manageable tasks. Prioritizing these tasks and tackling them one at a time makes the situation feel less daunting. Talking things over with a colleague or family member can also provide a new perspective and help me feel more grounded. Lastly, I remind myself to take things one step at a time and not to stress about things that are out of my control.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has really helped me is adopting the concept of nemawashi, which means laying the groundwork and getting consensus before making decisions. By discussing ideas informally and gathering input from team members and stakeholders, we can build a strong foundation for any project. This approach has strengthened our team’s unity and led to innovative solutions and successful projects. It ensures everyone feels involved and valued, which improves morale and productivity. Networking within and outside the company, much like keiretsu in Japanese business culture, has also opened up new opportunities and provided valuable insights.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I was part of a project that missed a critical deadline due to poor time management and lack of clear communication, a situation I now see as a lesson in kaizen, or continuous improvement. I overcame this by implementing more realistic timelines and improving our ho-ren-so (report, communicate, consult) practices within the team. The key lesson I took away was the importance of clear planning and regular check-ins, much like the PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act) in Japanese management. This experience taught me to be more proactive in identifying and addressing potential issues early on.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
One business idea I’d suggest is creating a financial literacy app targeted at Japanese teenagers, embracing the gakushu (learning) spirit. It could include interactive lessons on budgeting, saving, and investing, making financial education engaging and culturally relevant. This app could partner with Japanese schools to integrate financial literacy into their curriculums. With the growing focus on financial wellness, especially in today’s economy, there’s a real opportunity to make a positive impact on the next generation.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I find Trello extremely helpful for staying organized and productive, much like a digital kanban board. I use it to create boards for different projects, where I can track tasks, set deadlines, and collaborate with my team. The visual layout, similar to traditional Japanese management tools, makes it easy to see the progress of each project and prioritize tasks effectively. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that keeps everyone aligned and on track.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One of my favorite books is “Norwegian Wood” by Haruki Murakami. It offers deep insights into human emotions and relationships, much like the mono no aware concept in Japanese culture, which appreciates the beauty of transient things. The way Murakami blends simple storytelling with profound themes has been very inspiring in my personal and professional life. His exploration of resilience and self-discovery resonates with the challenges we face in business. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to understand more about the human experience and the importance of introspection and growth.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently enjoyed watching “Shitsuren Chocolatier.” The story of a young chocolatier who navigates love and personal growth while perfecting his craft was truly inspiring, embodying the gambaru spirit of perseverance. I appreciated the show’s focus on dedication, craftsmanship, and the importance of following one’s passion. The way the protagonist combines creativity with hard work reflects the shokunin philosophy, emphasizing mastery and continuous improvement. It’s a heartwarming series that offers both entertainment and valuable life lessons on dedication and pursuing excellence in one’s field.
Key learnings
- Embracing the nemawashi approach, which involves groundwork and consensus-building, has been crucial for fostering team unity and achieving successful projects.
- Implementing ho-ren-so (report, communicate, consult) practices and realistic timelines has been key to overcoming early career challenges and promoting continuous improvement.
- Creating a financial literacy app for Japanese teenagers, focusing on gakushu (learning) and partnering with schools, could greatly enhance financial wellness for future generations.