Coto World and Coto Academy are more than a great place to learn. It’s a great place to work. Recognized as a Great Place to Work® in both 2024 and 2025, we are proud to have built a culture where diverse, passionate people feel welcomed, valued, and free to bring their whole selves every day.

One of the figures helping maintain and grow this culture is Yuki Takemoto. As part of Coto’s HR & General Affairs Division, she ensures that, from day one, every new team member feels they belong. From answering questions to reducing internal workflow friction, her work keeps the team informed, fairly treated, and genuinely cared for. Having spent three years in Operations before moving into HR, she brings something rare to the role: a ground-level understanding of what Coto’s staff actually need.

Read on to hear her story, and find out what makes Coto World a workplace worth joining.

Welcome, Takemoto-san! Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello! I joined Coto in November 2021, after around three and a half years at a logistics company. I spent three years on the Operations Division campus before moving into the General Affairs Division in December 2024. Now I handle HR, general affairs, and back-office operations across the board.

What made you decide to shift from working in the Operations Division to HR?

I thought my strength lies in helping the internal work environment rather than customer-facing. Around that time, my supervisor approached me about transferring. My goal is to create an environment where the operations team’s daily time and effort contribute positively, rather than just moving things from negative to neutral.

You were a key member of the Operations Division before. How does this hands-on experience shape the way you approach HR?

Having been on “the field” myself, I find I can naturally read what employees want to do and factor that into my work on the admin side. At the same time, I can flag potential risks to the operations team or to Coto more broadly from an administrative perspective. 

I think that two-sided view makes me more useful in this role than I would have been coming in from the outside!

What’s your approach to creating a positive work environment at Coto, then?

This may apply to any industry, but I believe it is important that people can “work in a way that feels true to themselves.” Coto has a very diverse team, and I believe that the mutual respect for each other’s cultures helps build a strong sense of team spirit.

For Coto Academy, as a Japanese language school, our staff are language learners themselves. They are in a better position to empathize with customers and provide better service!

You’ve been working at Coto for more than 5 years! What has been the biggest motivator to continue working here?

The company’s growth. Since I joined, we’ve constantly expanded our school locations and businesses. In the language education industry, there may be no other company expanding at such a pace. The organization has evolved with more defined layers, making reporting lines clearer and decision-making more consistent across the company.

You’re in charge of onboarding new employees, too. What is your approach to welcoming new team members?

I always make an effort to greet them with a smile in the morning to help ease any nerves. I also try to get to know them by talking about their hobbies or how they like to spend their weekends, and I make a point of checking in with them at their assigned locations after they’ve settled in!

What do you like to do during your free time?

I attend a Korean language class every Saturday. Since language learning has no end, I find it engaging and easy to continue.

Finally, we’d like to hear any final messages to everyone interested in joining Coto!

Coto World is fast-paced and constantly changing. We are at an exciting stage where we are growing and challenging ourselves. It is a great place for people who enjoy the “growing pains” of both individuals and organizations, and who have a strong passion for supporting learners and promoting the appeal of Japan!

Ready to join us?

At Coto World, we’re always looking for people who believe in the power of language to change lives. If you’re a passionate language enthusiast who is creative, proactive, and action-oriented, we’d love to connect with you.

We’re welcoming inquiries for positions in Operations, Business Development, and Marketing. Feel free to explore our open roles or reach out to us directly.