While being gently swayed by a Kotoden train car, I felt Manabe's close proximity to customers when speaking with him. This aspect is present across all of Kotoden—whether it is at the station with a beer pub, another with bookshelves, posters on rider etiquette, or even for a collaborative poster to promote the Busshozan Onsen (hot springs) along the train line. All were carefully conceptualized with a sense of humor, or a dose of the unexpected. This was done not for the purpose of making Kotoden look cool, but rather to get closer to customers. Kotoden is a part of the community fabric because it sees things at the same level as the locals do. This relaxed, unpretentious style of communication was my biggest takeaway.

I hear that Manabe participates in local events and parties as much as he can, and makes efforts to speak with people from all walks of life. It is exactly in these types of situations where he can get genuine feedback from customers, and come into direct contact with their values. I believe he got his ideas through his regular, pro-active communication efforts that gave birth to relationships both inside and outside the company.

As a communication designer, I am leading the "S-ity Project" that will redefine Sony City with the aim of revitalizing the workplace. At the same time, I am also on a committee that plans periodic employee events like Manabe’s. His session took place at a café space on the 12th floor called the "EVENT COURT." On the 13th floor there is a new restaurant called "THE FARM." "PORT" is a forum where Sony Group employees can gather and take back different things they learn. We named it so because employees can "dock" and load up on diverse opinions and return back to their workplace. All these facilities were conceived as part of the S-ity Project. Launched with my colleagues at General Affairs, the purpose of the project itself is to revitalize the workplace and foster Sony culture through the use of Sony City facilities.