The Comeback Program: “I Want to Work Here Again”
Three People Share Their Reasons and the Program’s Advantages
Oct 21, 2025
Rehiring allows employees who once left a company for some reasons—such as major life changes or career pursuits—to return and thrive at the same organization. This approach offers significant advantages for companies, as these returning employees immediately become valuable assets, bringing not only their past institutional knowledge but also new skills and experience gained externally. Respecting individual career decisions, Tokyo Century offers a rehiring system called the Comeback Program as a pathway for their renewed success.
This article brings you “comeback stories” from three individuals who chose to work at Tokyo Century again after experiencing changes in their life stage and career. We hear their reflections on their journey and the decision to return.
(This dialogue is also featured in our diversity brochure.)
From left: Yuki Shinohara, Rina Sawadaishi, Seiji Sato
The Company Respects Career Choices and Welcomes Those Who Rejoin with Support
Sawadaishi
My husband was assigned overseas while I was on maternity leave. So, I temporarily quit my job to accompany him. During that time, I dedicated myself to homemaking and spent nearly all my time with my daughter. We returned to Japan after two years, and I placed my daughter in daycare while preparing to reenter the workforce. I was fully aware of Tokyo Century’s rehiring system and secure working environment. It was the only option for me and I applied to return. Tell us about your experiences.
During my time at Tokyo Century, I was stationed in Thailand and the Philippines where I experienced establishing local subsidiaries and overseeing mergers. The process of setting up local subsidiaries was challenging, but creating a company from scratch amid the chaos was interesting. When I returned to Japan, I wanted to gain more experience in starting up companies and overseeing mergers, which is why I transferred to the consulting industry.
Sato
Sawadaishi
So, did you return to Tokyo Century after that?
Yes. Most of my clients at the new company were IT firms, so you were required to have a lot of IT knowledge. I felt my skills and knowledge were completely misaligned with what the job demanded, which is why I applied for the Comeback Program.
Sato
Shinohara
In my case, I worked for the Accounting Division since joining the company. But at 29, I wanted to experience accounting at a different company, and I switched industries. Working elsewhere made me realize how reliable Tokyo Century’s accounting systems and organizational structure were.
Shinohara says, “My child was born just before the COVID-19 pandemic, and I felt an even stronger desire to return to Tokyo Century because of its comprehensive support systems.”
Advantages of Returning: Rediscovering Myself and Tokyo Century’s Strengths from the Outside—the Allure of Caring Colleagues and a Supportive Environment
Sawadaishi
First, I changed my workstyle upon returning. I used to prioritize perfection and spent a lot of time on my work. But I returned to work on reduced hours and knew I’d exhaust myself if I took the same approach. Now I set priorities and do what I can within the time available. I report or share my results at an early stage, then work on refining them. I feel this is the right style for me. Have your experiences at other companies changed the way you work?
My time away was brief, but seeing the way another company operates and approaches problems was a valuable experience for me. I learned to solve problems by digging deep to identify their root causes and visualizing them. A lot of problems occur at our overseas subsidiaries, and I implement this method to address them. What about you, Shinohara?
Sato
Shinohara
The company I transferred to was smaller than Tokyo Century, with limited automation in accounting. I was really surprised at first, because every accounting slip had to be checked manually and approved by the Accounting Department. But that experience of processing everything meticulously gave me both a micro and macro view of accounting operations. Tokyo Century is a bigger company, which makes accounting complex and challenging, but that’s what makes it rewarding. I returned to the same department and workplace, making my return smooth and easy.
Sawadaishi
One thing I’ve felt since coming back is the people here are so warm and caring. I returned to the same floor and was welcomed not only by former colleagues but also by new team members. It made me really happy to feel so welcomed.
Shinohara
Something else that makes the company so attractive is the comprehensive benefits program that makes it easy to balance work and family. That’s something I only realized after working elsewhere.
Sato says, “I returned to the same International Business segment. My colleagues welcomed me so warmly that I was able to return to work smoothly, and I’m really grateful for that.”
Changes in Tokyo Century and Myself: A Culture Fostering Ambition and Life-Work Enrichment
Shinohara
I noticed the atmosphere at the company had changed upon returning after five years. It had always been a comfortable workplace, but the introduction of the new Career Challenge Program*1 and TC Biz Challenge Project*2 has made the company more open. How did you feel upon returning?
Sawadaishi
The Career Challenge Program was established after I left, and I think it’s a great system.
*1 An internal recruitment system where divisions and branches disclose their human resources requirements and appoint personnel from the applicants. An aggregate total of 64 employees have been assigned to their desired positions (as of April 2024).
*2 A new business proposal initiative, introduced in fiscal 2020, empowering employees to boldly tackle new challenges without fear of failure
Sawadaishi says, “Many of my colleagues have taken advantage of the Career Challenge Program to transfer to different departments. Seeing their positive attitudes toward work has been very inspiring.”
A new TC Biz Challenge Project was launched with the aim of establishing new businesses, and a corporate culture is recently being cultivated to encourage employees to pursue more ambitions. Personally, my ambition is to ensure the proper management of internal controls to support overseas subsidiaries. I want to hold regular meetings with them and make improvements to suit local conditions, rather than making drastic changes. What kind of initiatives would you like to address?
Sato
Shinohara
There are still areas of accounting I haven’t experienced here, so I’d like to take on such operations to deepen my expertise in accounting and taxation. I also want to actively learn about AI and IT to help streamline operations.
Sawadaishi
I used to think a work-life balance meant separating work from my personal life. But now, I relate more to the idea of achieving “work-life harmony,” where life and work have a mutually positive effect, creating synergy that also leads to personal growth. I want to build a long-term career in which I can establish my own workstyle.
That’s a great idea. All three of us are currently raising children, and we’re surprised, challenged, and inspired by their energy and curiosity every day. So, I want to make use of these everyday insights and discoveries in my work too.
Sato
Seiji Sato
Global Business Management Division
Sato joined the company in 2003. After overseas assignments in Thailand and the Philippines, he changed jobs upon returning to Japan. He rejoined the company in 2025. He is kept busy on his days off, fielding endless questions from his curious daughter. He loves traveling with his family every year.
Yuki Shinohara
Accounting Division
Shinohara joined the company in 2009. He resigned from his job in 2015 but returned in 2020. He has built his entire career in accounting since joining the company. His child entered elementary school this year, and he has been actively involved in parenting. He is a skilled billiards player who has even competed in tournaments.
Rina Sawadaishi
Equipment Leasing Strategic Planning Division
Sawadaishi joined the company in 2015. She resigned from her job in 2022 to accompany her spouse on an overseas assignment, but returned in 2024. She spends time with her nearly-four-year-old child with a focus on trying something new every week.
*The contents of the article and the position titles are as of the date posted.
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