Environmental problems are not just for the younger generation-the first CFO (Chief Financial Officer), Kyoko Ozawa, looks back on her activities for the year [first serialization project]

In 2019, Euglena recruited CFOs (Chief Future Officers) under the age of 18 to think about the "future" of the earth and the company, and selected one CFO and eight summit members.

Kitami, the editor-in-chief of this media, interviewed CFO Ozawa about his feelings, thoughts, and impressions through his activities during his one-year term. Here are some of the situations.

Kitami: This time, I'm Kitami talking to Mr. Ozawa. At the end of September 2020, my activities as CFO will be separated, but this year has been an irregular year due to the effects of the new coronavirus infection. Did you have any influence during your activities?

Kyoko Ozawa (hereinafter Ozawa): That's right. It was my first experience, so I was groping for the summit (meeting), but it was difficult because of the effects of the new coronavirus infection, which did not go according to the original plan.

Kitami: Meetings with Summit members are now online-based, aren't they?

Ozawa: Regarding online meetings, it didn't really matter because I knew the members and did team building in the first two months (October to December). Conversely, I think it was important to have a face-to-face meeting for the first two months.

Kitami: I see. Certainly, if we had been affected by the new coronavirus infection for the first two months, we might not have been on the same team as we are now. In that sense, it seems necessary to consider that as a team building for the members of the second term. How did Mr. Ozawa apply for the CFO?

Ozawa: Anyway, I applied because I wanted to put my thoughts into action somewhere. I didn't apply because I wanted to be a CFO, but I just wanted to take a step forward to change society.

Kitami: That's right. Even so, you've done a lot of activities with the Summit members over the past year. In June of this year, we summarized the policy regarding PET bottle products.​

Ozawa: Based on the policy we set out, we finally discussed with management at the board of directors, "50% reduction in the amount of petroleum-derived plastics used in products by 2021," and "PET bottle products. We have decided on goals such as "total abolition."

Kitami: You also gave presentations at general meetings of shareholders and various events.

Ozawa: The impression of the general meeting of shareholders is that the way of thinking of the company and the shareholders is similar. When I talked to shareholders, I realized that all of them are serious about the future, and that the company and the shareholders who support it are facing the same direction.
I usually give presentations at schools, but at events, I give presentations for the first time to people I meet for the first time, so I thought about how to make it easier to convey.

Kitami: For the past year, in addition to the summit members, you have been working with Our colleagues (employees) *. What is your impression of Our
* In the Euglena Group, employees are called "companies" with the same aspirations.

Ozawa: I have the impression that many of Our There was something I wanted to achieve from the bottom of my heart, and I often felt that I was acting toward it. While talking with my colleagues, I was able to reconsider my course.

Kitami: Especially before being affected by the new coronavirus infection, there were exchange meetings with friends, and I think there was mutual stimulation.
Last question, what do you want the next CFO to look like?

Ozawa: I want you to continue thinking that you want to somehow solve what you think is a problem. The benefits of CFO activities are enormous, so I would like you to take a step forward.
CFOs and summit members are limited to those under the age of 18, but I think that environmental issues are not just issues for CFOs and younger generations, but are common to all generations. I think the world will change if everyone of all generations do small things one by one, such as having my own bottle. Let's act together.

Kitami: Thank you, Mr. Ozawa.

Next time, I will report on how Future Summit members, who have been working with CFO Ozawa, talked about their feelings, thoughts, and impressions during their one-year term.

* This article has been revised and posted based on the video recorded on August 24, 2020.

* This article has been revised and posted based on the video recorded on August 24, 2020.
Sentence / Mitsuru Saito