I was born with a congenital hearing impairment. Although I use a hearing aid, I can only distinguish the loudness and pitch of sounds. When Otsuka hired me, I was concerned about whether my coworkers would be understanding of my disability and whether I would be able to communicate effectively enough. However, when I started working here, I found that the people around me were all very kind, and the work environment was very supportive. I think Otsuka has a wide range of working styles. My colleagues are there for me when I need support because of my disability. Many useful tools have become available over recent years. For example, with transcription tools, I can easily dictate texts. When I meet a new person, I usually write down a short note explaining to them how I communicate. Also, since I can't hear conversations, I tend to miss out on information, so I try to obtain details from those close to me proactively.

I don't expect those around me to fully understand my issues — this attitude is important to me. By lowering the bar of expectation, you can notice and appreciate the positive aspects of your life. It can help you feel more at ease and become more optimistic. We are all different — be it background, values, gender, or disability. There are some things you can't understand unless you experience them for yourself. For example, you can't fully understand the experiences of a deaf person unless you are deaf. Everyone is different, and no two people are exactly alike. I believe that people can get along if they are considerate of others. We can foster a comfortable work environment by paying attention to what we can do to make things easier for others in each situation.