[Profile]
Kotaro Yanagi works for the System Management & Analytics. As a Manager, he is currently engaged in the management of teams and Change activity of Pharmacovigilance database.

Can you tell the details of the work on Pharmacovigilance database? 

In the operation of Pharmacovigilance database, there are several key tasks. For example, when a new medicine/medical device is approved, we assume obligation for case report to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare immediately after approval. We therefore need to input the data regarding the newly approved medicine/medical device into the system in a timely manner and keep them up to date. 

Then, what do you actually do in the Change activity of Pharmacovigilance database you are currently engaged in?

In the system Change activity, we should change our system according to the latest laws and regulations when the relevant laws and regulations are amended. In such a case, we must maintain appropriate records required by the law, and thus we should make records of “what” and “how” we changed every time we make Changes.

In handling medicines, it must be very important to accurately manage the adverse drug reaction database.

Yes, exactly. It is essential to accurately manage the database in order to protect the health and safety of patients. As Bayer operates one Pharmacovigilance database across the company, we need to maintain communication with global functions on a daily basis for the management of the database. Some company databases seem to be managed only by the global headquarters and not operated flexibly, while at Bayer we can operate the company database flexibly as required, which I think is efficient.

As a member of a global team, do you feel any difference in communication with the colleagues with different cultures or from different countries and the colleagues in Japan? 

In my impression, there are various people in Japan but the range of “various people” is slightly wider in the global team. The only difference I think is the “directness” of words.

Certainly, Japanese people are sometimes considered to avoid direct wordings. 

It is a matter of getting used to it. If you just keep in mind to tell anything you really want to directly without hesitation, you will be able to communicate smoothly without feeling to be not good at it. Maybe because of this in my mind, I sometimes worry in my communication with Japanese people, “Am I saying too much?”

After you recently had a new member in your family, did you have any change in your way of working?

In May my daughter was born. Thanks to the great understanding of my colleagues, of course, my way of working has not changed in a good sense. I complete the work I must do within the day, discuss the tasks that can be simplified or proceeded in a different way with my colleagues, and do not work overtime to the extent possible. In addition, when I work remotely, I can spend a bit more time to engage in household matters as I do not need time to commute.

What do you think is a desirable working environment?

I believe that a desirable working environment is where employees can clearly tell their opinions. I believe that they cannot clearly tell their opinions or have direct discussions if they do not trust each other or have strong wills to keep proceed their tasks.