Open Recruitment at AJINOMOTO CO.,INC

Unlocking Careers Throught Self-Nomination

At AJINOMOTO CO., INC., we believe that careers are strongest when employees take the lead. Since the 1980s, we have encouraged individuals to shape their own futures by creating annual career plans, expressing transfer preferences, and working closely with supervisors to turn aspirations into reality.
To further expand these opportunities, we introduced our Open Recruitment System in 2002. While the program initially saw only a handful of applications each year, we significantly accelerated our efforts in 2003, driven by a clear goal: to foster a culture of self‑nomination and unlock the full potential of our diverse talent.
The results have been remarkable. Open recruitment cases now exceed 100 per year, reflecting a growing number of employees who are boldly stepping forward to shape their careers. Looking ahead, we will continue to promote transfers aligned with individual career plans and actively encourage self‑nominated moves through open recruitment, aiming to further increase career realization across the organization by 2030.

Growth in Open Recruitment

Voices from the Field

Yohei Enami
Food Products Division Tohoku Branch Consumer Foods & Seasonings Group AJINOMOTO FINE TECHNO CO., LTD.

"I was eager to broaden my horizons and take on a new challenge in a completely different field."
That curiosity led me to apply for an open recruitment transfer to the electronic materials business—a completely new area for me. Today, I work closely with overseas customers, serve as a product manager for new products, and support initiatives for new hires.
In a market that evolves at remarkable speed, I am constantly energized by colleagues who are always learning and pushing forward. Each day brings new insights and opportunities to grow. Looking ahead, I aim to continue embracing unfamiliar challenges and become a talent who drives business growth across multiple domains.

Fagyun Kawatou
Food Products Division Institute of Food Sciences and Technologies Product Development Center Seasoning Group Food Products Division Marketing Design Center D2C Dept., Product Development marketing Group

"Applying through the open recruitment system became a turning point in my career."
Through the application process, I deeply reflected on how my strengths aligned with the mission of the recruiting department and how I could truly contribute. That experience pushed me several steps beyond my previous career trajectory and helped me envision a future I could actively shape with my own hands.
Going forward, I aspire to become a professional who bridges R&D and marketing, driving the business forward beyond traditional departmental boundaries.