“On the Frontlines” is a series that takes a closer look at SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) employees in the field, or behind the scenes, to showcase their expertise, passion and dedication to their work. In this installment, we followed Kosuke Kakuta, an employee in his fourth year at SoftBank and based in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost Prefecture.
Kakuta is engaged in sales activities with major consumer electronics retailers across Hokkaido. SoftBank News asked him about his current responsibilities, the appeal of working at a regional location and what motivates him.
Kosuke Kakuta
Hokkaido Department
East Area Division
Consumer Sales Unit
SoftBank Corp.
Kakuta joined SoftBank as a new graduate in 2022 and works in consumer sales. Originally from Chiba Prefecture, located east of Tokyo, Kakuta enjoys driving and visiting saunas on his time off.
Leading retail strategy across Hokkaido as an area manager
Tell us about your background and place of work.
I joined SoftBank as a new graduate in 2022 and was assigned to a department responsible for sales activities at major electronics retailers in the Hokkaido area. As an area manager on my team, my mission is to increase subscription numbers and overall sales for ‘SoftBank’ and ‘Y!mobile’ brand stores within my region. My primary responsibilities include crew development and negotiating with retail partners.
A typical day for me is as follows.
A day in the life
9:00 Arrive at office, review requests for approvals and documents
After arriving at the office, I start with approval-related tasks, such as reviewing and approving business trip requests from team members. Since our team oversees all of Hokkaido, traveling long distances is quite common.
10:00 Department and section meetings
Twice a week, we hold a department-wide morning meeting led by the general manager, where the overall direction for the organization is shared. Following that, section meetings are held to discuss specific challenges and targets at a level closer to the field. Then, during the area manager meeting, we translate those policies into concrete action plans for each team.
In this way, we align around a shared strategy while each organizational layer refines their own plans.
As area manager, my role is to align the initiatives proposed by store crews and their supervisors with the broader organizational direction set by the department head, ultimately determining optimal solutions for the organization. Since the perspectives of frontline teams and management do not always match, bridging that gap and making final team decisions is one of my greatest responsibilities.
13:00 Lunch and travel
Sometimes I grab lunch at a convenience store, but when heading out for store visits in the afternoon, I often stop by a local restaurant. Everything in Hokkaido is truly delicious, and exploring local food options has become one of my daily pleasures.
On this particular day, I accompanied one of our team’s supervisors on store visits and business negotiations. Even within the city, we use a car for long-distance travel. There’s a well-maintained underground walkway connecting our office area to the rental car location, so even when there’s a lot of snow, we can travel comfortably without worrying about icy roads or freezing winds. Beyond that point, however, winter driving conditions require extra caution, so safety is always my top priority.
14:00 Store visits
About once a week, I visit one of the stores in my assigned area. Sometimes that means traveling to distant locations such as Kitami or Kushiro, which are up to 300 kilometers away. The main purposes of these visits are to check preparations for weekend events, communicate with crew and supervisors, and conduct negotiations with retail store staff.
In negotiations, it’s crucial to create an advantageous sales environment for SoftBank on a sales floor that’s shared with competitors. This may involve securing dedicated space or arranging in-store announcements during events.
What I pay particular attention to is ensuring that discussions never become one-sided requests. I strive to present proposals that also contribute to the retailer’s sales performance, aligning mutual benefits and clearly defining actionable steps for both sides.
17:00 Administrative work
After returning to the office, I complete administrative tasks such as processing approvals and reviewing materials for upcoming meetings. Except during peak seasons, I generally finish work on time. Our team values a culture that avoids unnecessary overtime. For example, we refrain from contacting colleagues after working hours.
Age Doesn’t Define the Manager Role. Preparation and Confidence Earn Trust
Can you tell us about your career so far and your responsibilities as an area manager?
After joining SoftBank, I completed my training at retail stores and a call center before being assigned to retail sales. I initially worked as a store crew member in Hiroshima, then I became a supervisor and assistant area manager in Okayama. This April, I assumed my current role as an area manager in Hokkaido.
In addition to crew development and negotiations with retailers, I oversee contract employee recruitment and budget management. For talent management, I coordinate with more than 10 staffing agencies to assign personnel and monitor the condition of our staff. Because communication frequency is high, I’ve established regular contact schedules with each agency to stay in close communication.
I also manage a monthly budget totaling several million yen. Allocating funds strategically—whether for promotional materials or securing human resources—is critical to driving results.
What do you keep in mind when communicating with store crew and supervisors?
I closely review customer survey results and subscription numbers acquired during weekend events. When speaking with crew members, I make it a point to give specific words of praise in casual daily conversations, saying things like, “You handled that really well.”
With supervisors, I focus on understanding what they’re thinking by listening directly to their perspectives. As an area manager, I want our policies to reflect the realities on the field as closely as possible, so I approach them with an inclusive mindset.
One initiative I’ve implemented is leading the regular morning briefing myself on days when the supervisor is absent. I directly share tasks with crew members to ensure alignment. By reviewing the previous day’s results store by store, I encourage them not only to stay motivated but also to develop a broader perspective—one that considers the performance of the entire team.
As a young area manager, do you find it challenging to work with store managers or subordinates older than you?
I was anxious at first, to be honest. But now, I don’t think about age at all. People don’t see me as “a 26-year-old,” but rather as “an area manager.” I treat it as a role and carry myself accordingly.
That said, I prepare thoroughly. Beyond preparing negotiation materials, I make sure I can answer any additional questions that may arise. I believe this level of preparation directly contributes to building trust. I also think that when I carry myself with confidence, it reassures my team members. That’s why I make it a rule to stand on the frontlines with a positive mindset. Being an area manager feels like being the president of a small company, with the authority to manage a substantial budget at my own discretion. I find that level of responsibility deeply rewarding.
What has been a particularly memorable experience in your career so far?
During my time as a supervisor, there was a period when we struggled to get results. My section manager accompanied me to negotiations, and by making repeated improvements, we were eventually able to significantly surpass the previous year’s results. That success brought me tremendous joy.
How do you spend your time off?
Since I only moved to Hokkaido last April, I often go for drives on my days off. The vast distances still surprise me, but exploring local cuisine and nature is incredibly refreshing. I also love hot springs and hope to visit every major onsen area in Hokkaido, including Noboribetsu and Jozankei.
Friends from my hometown often visit Hokkaido, and we meet for dinner once or twice a month. Even though we live far apart, staying connected is easy. This is one of the unique charms of living in a popular tourist destination like Hokkaido.
What are your future career goals?
First, I want to steadily build up strong results in my current role, overseeing all major retail stores and crews within my assigned area. In the future, I aim to become a manager as early as possible and establish myself as a leader representing my generation.
Within the field of retail sales, I want to continue challenging myself and see how far my abilities can take me.
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(Posted on March 16, 2026)
by SoftBank News Editors
