MARUI GROUP’s Vision for Financial Inclusion

MARUI GROUP’s Vision for Financial Inclusion

Promotion of Financial Inclusion
for the Benefit of Everyone

MARUI GROUP’s Basic Credit Philosophy

MARUI GROUP’s vision for financial inclusion is to resolve the social issues represented by the exclusivity of financial services to the wealthy with its business model of integrating stores, credit cards, and the Internet. We aim toprovide financial services that put affluence within reach of younger generations and everyone else.

Financial Services for People of All Ages and Incomes
Since issuing Japan’s first credit card in 1960, MARUIGROUP has proceeded to develop a business of providing credit cards to all applicants, regardless of their age,profession, or income. We expanded the scope of these
efforts to include non-Japanese residents and foreignexchange students in Japan in October 2017, when wepartnered with Global Trust Networks Co., Ltd., a company that offers comprehensive lifestyle support for nonJapanese individuals. Through this partnership, Epos
Card has issued Japan’s first credit card exclusively for
non-Japanese individuals to support them in their various life situations, whether going to school, working,or maintaining permanent residence, with funding andpayment services.

In 2018, we entered into the securities business,
which could be seen as central to financial inclusion.
Services for building assets through investment are currently limited almost completely to wealthy individuals,
being placed out of reach for younger generations andeveryone else. The mission of our securities business isthus to resolve this social issue and realize financial
inclusion by providing financial services for everyone,
regardless of their age, profession, or income.

Younger Generations and Everyone Else

Cardholder Base Compositions of
MARUI GROUP and the Industry

MARUI GROUP’s basic credit philosophy—that creditability should be built together with customers—dates
back to the Company’s founding. Our credit framework
does not entail assigning credit to customers, but rather
involves setting a credit limit that is within their means
and gradually increasing this limit based on their usage
history. Through this framework, our cardholder base hascome to largely comprise university students and minors
without credit card experience and adults aged 18 to 39.
Furthermore, 30% of these individuals received their firstever credit card from MARUI GROUP. From our founding
up until today, we have continued to amass extensive
amounts of data on customers’ credit histories. This data
has allowed us to develop wide-ranging expertise withregard to credit, which helps us identify the cases inwhich customers will be able to make payments and thecases in which a customer will likely become a credit
delinquent. By combining our initial credit data, which
has grown to the level of big data, with the credit monitoring data we have accumulated through co-creation
with customers, we have been able to maintain theindustry’s lowest ratio of delinquent debt of 1.60%.
Moreover, our rate of refusing to issue credit cards atstores is only 8%, compared to the industry average
refusal rate of 24%.

EPOS Cardholders by Age*1

56%
44%

■ Age 39 and below ■ Age 40 and above Industry Cardholders by Age*2

26%
74%

■ Age 39 and below ■ Age 40 and above 

EPOS Cardholders by Gender*1

31%
69%

■ Male ■ Female Industry Cardholders by Gender*2

52%
48%

■ Male ■ Female *1 Active cardholder base
*2 Source: Consumer Credit Statistics from Japan (FY2017), Japan Consumer
Credit Association

High Growth and Low Ratio of Delinquent Debt
¥548.0 billion
Growth in revolving and installment payments
and other card shopping transactions

Ratio ofdelinquent debt

Wealthy

1960
Issuance of Japan’s first credit card

Akai Card enriching the lifestyles ofyounger generations

EPOS card
operatingreceivables

Decline in ratio of delinquent debt in conjunction
with increase in credit
examination accuracy

Younger
Generations

Provision of financial services to younger generations
and all other customers

1.60%

Issuance of Japan’s first credit card exclusively
for non-Japanese individuals
Launch of Japan’s first securities business driven by credit cards
2004

38

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

39

MARUI GROUP’s Vision for Financial Inclusion

MARUI GROUP’s Vision for Financial Inclusion

Japan’s First Securities Business Driven by Credit Cards

Purchases of Tsumitate NISA Applicable
Trusts with Credit Cards

In its securities business, which is central to financial inclusion, MARUI GROUP aims to transform the concern
younger generations harbor for the future into hope and to contribute to the drive to shift assets from savings toasset building. Our business model of integrating stores, credit cards, and the Internet will play an important rolein developing this business. MARUI GROUP entered into this business from the completely different industry ofretailing. We therefore aim to create a new wave in the securities business by incorporating ideas based on thecustomer’s perspective.

Our securities company specializing in cumulative
investment, tsumiki Securities Co., Ltd., provides services that allow for cumulative investments to be conducted through regular, fixed-amount credit card
payments for purchasing investment trusts applicable
under Tsumitate NISA that have cleared government
standards. This business represents Japan’s first scheme
for purchasing investment trusts with credit cards.
Monthly investment amounts may be set within the rangeof ¥3,000 to ¥50,000 per month. Investment payments
are deducted from customers’ bank accounts together
with their monthly payments for shopping, and otherpurchases. Our goal is to grow this business to serve one
million users and handle a balance of ¥1 trillion in assets
within 10 years.
The growth of the credit card market is projected to be
driven by e-commerce and recurring transactions going forward. Recurring transactions refer to ongoing payments,
such as those for gas, electricity, water, and rent. EPOS
cardholders that use their cards to make payments for suchtransactions are five times more likely to upgrade to Gold

Backdrop for Entry into Securities Business
The goal of MARUI GROUP’s securities business is tocontribute to customer happiness and to a better society
through cumulative investments. Our decision to enter
into this business was prompted by the concerns formoney seen largely among the younger generations. A
public opinion survey conducted on people’s lifestyles inJune 2017 indicated that nearly 60% of people aged 18
to 39 are saving money, not for their life in the present,
but for the future. This result indicates an increase inemphasis on preparation for the future among younger
generations.

Meanwhile, the ratio of financial assets accounted forby cash and deposits in Japan is high and the rate of
growth in private financial assets is low in comparison toother countries. In response to this trend, the Financial
Services Agency is encouraging people to shift theirassets from savings to asset building. Against this backdrop, MARUI GROUP sought a means of alleviating customers’ apprehensions regarding money. After thoroughly
examining the types of services that could be used tohelp customers build assets with peace of mind, we
arrived at the decision to establish a securities company
specializing in cumulative investment.

Concerns of Younger Generations and Social Trends
Concerns of Workforce Members in Their 20s
No. 1 Money59%

No. 2 Work41%

No. 3 Marriage

Financial Services Agency promoting asset formation using¥900 trillion worth of cash and deposits

32%

14%

Source: Dentsu Communication Institute Inc., 2015

No. 1 Saving for the future41%

No. 2 Conserving money

34%

No. 3 Healthy habits

52%(¥900 trillion)

31%

30%

Reason for Lack of Interest or Unwillingness to Engage in
Asset Management and Lending
No. 1 Perceived difficulty or lack of knowledge

60%

No. 2 Concern for losses

45%

No. 3 Lack of monetary leeway39%

Source: Asset management survey of EPOS cardholders, 201640

Cash /
deposits

24%

59%

Source: Visa Worldwide Japan Co., Ltd.

Who

Younger generations and everyone else

What

Purchases of investment trusts applicable
under Tsumitate NISA

How

Credit payment via EPOS cards(first scheme of its type)

About Tsumitate NISA
Tsumitate NISA is a program commenced by the Financial Services Agency inJanuary 2018 with the goal of promoting the shift from saving to investment.
Characteristics of this program include the ability to start investments in small
sums as annual investments are limited to ¥400,000, as well as the fact thattaxes will not be applied to this program for 20 years and that all applicable
investment trusts must clear certain standards, making them suited to long-term
asset building. This program is thus designed to support younger and first-time
investors in conducting long-term, cumulative, and dispersed investments.

Collaboration between tsumiki Securities and nendo
Breakdowns of Private Financial Assets by TypeNew Year’s Resolutions of People Aged 20 in January 2017cards, which are emblematic of their loyalty as customers.
Moreover, when cardholders upgrade to a Gold card, theirusage amounts increase greatly. Accordingly, even if therecurring transactions through the Tsumitate NISA scheme
do not generate significant profits, this business model will
still create substantial returns in terms of credit card revenues and other Groupwide revenues, with low upfront
investment nonetheless.

Insurance /pensions

23%

Stocks /trusts

15%

Other

10%
Japan

29%

26%

12%

U.S.

U.K.

5%

Sources: Flow of funds data, Bank of Japan, 2016
Progress and Assessment of the Strategic Directions and Priorities
2016–2017, Financial Services Agency, 2016

The design for tsumiki Securities was created by
nendo inc., an international design firm led by Chief
Designer Oki Sato.
Judging that a major reason behind the concern regarding money and investment was a lack oftransparency, nendo developed physical representations for the services of tsumiki Securities that
resemble Japan’s traditional luck charm. The goal ofthese representations is to draw a connection
between asset building and a better fortune foroneself. By carrying these charms around or placing
them in customers’ living space, we hope to makecustomers feel at ease knowing that their future
is secure.
The company name of tsumiki Securities, withtsumiki being Japanese for building blocks, itself ismeant to symbolize its simple and easy-to-understand services, the process of building assets gradually and at one’s own pace, and the idea of
accumulating not just money, but also a more positive outlook.

Oki Sato
Mr. Oki Sato is the chief designer and CEO of nendo inc.
He was born in Canada in 1977 and received a Master ofArts in architecture from Waseda University in 2002. Heestablished the nendo design firm in the same year. Mr.
Sato has been included among the 100 most respected
Japanese by Newsweek magazine and named designer ofthe year in numerous global design awards programs.
Moreover, he has made appearances on Japanese television programs highlighting the work of professionals andthe lifestyles of exemplary individuals with connections tocountries outside of Japan. Mr. Sato has also publishedbooks on topics including design philosophy, problem
solving, techniques for working faster, rejected projects,
and how to adopt different perspectives.

41

MARUI GROUP’s Vision for Financial Inclusion

MARUI GROUP’s Vision for Financial Inclusion

New Services Provided by tsumiki Securities
Through cumulative investments, tsumiki Securities is
a company that contributes to the happiness of all
customers.
From among the approximately 6,000 investment
trusts available in Japan, tsumiki Securities has
handpicked four trusts to offer to customers: theCommons 30 Fund of Commons Asset Management,
Inc., the SAISON Vanguard Global Balanced Fund andthe Saison Shisan Keisei no Tatsujin Fund of Saison
Asset Management Co., Ltd., and the Hifumi Plus Fundof Rheos Capital Works Inc. The fund managementcompanies of each of these trusts share our vision andare committed to supporting customers in long-term
asset building. These fund managers strive to act as
close partners to their customers, communicating tothem the importance of asset building and the benefitsof long-term cumulative investments. Together withthese three fund managers, we aim to encouragecustomers to shift their assets from savings to asset
building during our interactions with them.

Customer Joy Brought About through Cumulative Investments
Through tsumiki Securities, we offer services that enable customers to build assets for the future gradually,at their own pace, and with peace of mind through cumulative investments by purchasing
Tsumitate NISA applicable trusts with fixed, monthly payments via their EPOS cards.
Services were launched in August 2018 to help customers accumulate money for the future.

tsumiki Securities Co., Ltd.
www.tsumiki-sec.com/ (Japanese only)

Service Details • Monthly payments of ¥3,000–¥50,000• One-time payments only (no interest payments oradditional fees)• Payments deducted together with shopping andother payments• Points accumulated through payments

Investment Trusts Offered by tsumiki Securities

01

02

Application is easy and can be
conducted through a smartphone.
The simple user interface is easy tounderstand and use, even for individuals
that are new to asset building.

Cumulative monthly payments are madevia EPOS cards. Points are accumulated
as an added bonus based on the amountof investments and number of yearsof ongoing use.

0304

Services are available online andapplication support can be received atstores. Follow-up seminars and otherservices merging stores and the Internet
are provided after application.

Physical representations of these
services for asset building, which can bea source of concern, are offered that
resemble good luck charms. Pick yours
up at a Marui store and keep it with you.

POINT

POINT

POINT

Four Handpicked Trusts Offered by tsumiki Securities
Fund manager

Trust name

Investment trusts
applicable underTsumitate NISA

Commons AssetManagement, Inc.

Approx. 150

Saison Asset Management
Co., Ltd.

Commons 30 Fund

Rheos Capital Works Inc.

SAISON Vanguard Global
Balanced Fund

POINT

Saison Shisan Keisei no
Tatsujin Fund
Hifumi Plus Fund

Investment trusts available in Japan

Approx. 6,00042

As of June 30, 2018

Brand movie for tsumiki Securities
www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuQLSEqKYOc (Japanese only)

43Dialogue 03

Dialogue 03
Contributions to the Happiness of All Customers
through Cumulative Investments

Asumi Kantake
Representative Director and CEO
tsumiki Securities Co., Ltd.

Ms. Asumi Kantake joined MARUI GROUP in 1997. After transferringfrom a store position to the Accounting Department, she was later
involved in the establishment of management and business plans incorporate planning and finance divisions. In 2014, Ms. Kantake wasappointed as the deputy store manager of Kokubunji Marui and was
also put in charge of engagement with investors as the chief managerof the Investor Relations Department. She became the representative
director and CEO of what is now tsumiki Securities in February 2018.

Takeo Nakaki
Representative Director and COO
tsumiki Securities Co., Ltd.

Mr. Takeo Nakaki joined The Mitsubishi Trust and Banking Corporation­(currently Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation) in 2001
and transferred to a foreign life insurance company before entering
Sawakami Asset Management Inc. in 2004. At Sawakami, Mr. Nakakirose to the ranks of vice president, a position in which he was responsible for promoting long-term investment across Japan. He became president of Union Asset Management Inc. in 2014 before taking up the
position of representative director and COO of what is now tsumiki
Securities in June 2018.

Contributions to the Happiness of All Customers
through Cumulative Investments
MARUI GROUP established tsumiki Securities as a securities company specializing in cumulative
investment with the aim of addressing the needs of customers harboring concerns for the future
pertaining to money or seeking to increase their assets with peace of mind.
The following is a discussion between the CEO and COO of tsumiki Securities, which commenced
services in August 2018, in which they express their resolutions for this company going forward.

Asumi Kantake

Takeo Nakaki

Representative Director and CEO
tsumiki Securities Co., Ltd.

Representative Director and COO
tsumiki Securities Co., Ltd.

44

Reason for MARUI GROUP’s Entry
into the Securities Business    
Kantake: MARUI GROUP is motivated by its mission ofpromoting financial inclusion by providing financial services that can be used by everyone, regardless of theirage or income. This was the reason behind our entry into
the securities business.
Nakaki: When I first met President Aoi, he explained how
MARUI GROUP had long been developing a credit card
services business in which the Company built creditability together with young adults and others who had not
yet established their own credit ratings. He also
expressed his desire to provide asset building services
that transform the concerns that younger generations
have for the future into hope. This dedication to thesecurities business filled me with excitement. I spent
15 years at independent fund management companies,
during which I attended seminars across Japan to network with long-term investors and speak with fellow fundmanagers. Colleagues that had begun gradual, long-term
investment exhibited a clear sense of leeway as they had
less concern for the future and felt they had access to agreater range of options in their life.

Kantake: Roughly half of MARUI GROUP’s customers arein their twenties or thirties, and around 70% of them are
women. When examining possible service offerings forthe future, we solicited feedback from customers. Thiswas when we learned about customers’ significant anxiety for the future with regard to money. This anxiety
resulted in most of them turning to savings. However,everyone knows that savings do not grow. Looking tohelp such customers, MARUI GROUP sought to create
services that would assist them in growing their wealthwith peace of mind. We eventually arrived at the idea of
cumulative investment.
Nakaki: The conventions of cumulative investment differ
from those of the standard form of investment. For
example, there is no need to intensely watch the stock
market, trying to buy low and sell high. Rather, the convention of cumulative investment is just to continue
steady investment, whether prices are high or low.
Steadily investing in a trustworthy fund of a reputable
management company will no doubt be an effectivemeans of building assets over the long term. Cumulative
investment could therefore be seen to be a “buy andforget” approach toward investment.

45

Dialogue 03

Dialogue 03

Contributions to the Happiness of All Customers through Cumulative Investments

I want to make cumulative investment based on
confidence in the future a part of our culture.
The idea of an economy driven by the money andtrust of individuals is exhilarating.
Takeo Nakaki
Kantake: The desire to save money usually has something more meaningful behind it, whether that be a­special someone, a dream, or some other matter ofimportance. Cumulative investments are the best way
to grow one’s precious money with peace of mind.

Japan’s First Scheme for Purchasing Investment
Trusts with Credit Cards    
Kantake: There are a lot of people who assume you needa fair amount of on-hand funds to invest. At tsumiki
Securities, we overturn this preconception by allowing
cumulative investments to be made starting from as little
as ¥3,000 a month via one’s EPOS card. This system is a
first for Japan. Once a month, funds are deducted from
customers’ accounts together with their usual payments,
such as those for shopping or mobile phone bills, andusers accumulate EPOS points based on the amounts
and duration of their investments. By letting customers
make payments with the EPOS cards they have become
accustomed to, we hope to lower the hurdle people perceive when they think of investment.
Nakaki: If investments can be made in sums of ¥100 or¥1,000, while it may be easier to start, it is common forpeople to stop after only a short time as the purpose of46

those investments feels unclear. The most common
amount for cumulative investments in trusts is ¥10,000,
but this amount can feel a bit too high for those who are
new to investment. The amount of ¥3,000 can be produced if one only adjusts their expenditures or gives up
something small. This amount also gives investments aclear purpose, making it easier to commit to continue.
I therefore see that this amount is just right. Monthly cumulative investments are a purchase, a purchase of a sense of
security for the future so that one can live in the moment.
Kantake: The financial lexicon can be difficult to understand, and we have had a lot of trouble explaining financial concepts to customers in terms they can understand.
Nakaki: Communicating information in an easy-tounderstand manner is important. I take care to provide
simple explanations, using the Internet and other tools
when appropriate. I do not expect customers that will bebuilding assets through tsumiki Securities to study or
understand difficult financial terms. Rather, I want tocommunicate to these people the effectiveness of cumulative investments, how to incorporate these investments
into one’s life, and the attitude to be taken toward investments. I also want to teach them how to be more prudent
in their use of money.
Kantake: We also try to provide a venue for asking questions that cannot be easily answered via the Internet bymeans of our stores. Here, customers can ask about
product selection, contract terms, or even how to view
our websites. We thereby support customers through a
two-pronged approach using both the Internet and physical venues.
Nakaki: The representatives of the fund managers wehave partnered with all share similar sentiments regarding
the importance of face-to-face explanations. No matter
how functional and convenient the Internet may become,it cannot replace the passion and dedication that fuel theeffectiveness of face-to-face explanations. Of course, weare taking steps to provide support via the Internet thatcomes closer to what you would get at a physical store.

Contributions to the Happiness of All Customers through Cumulative Investments

Meaningful Social Contributions
through Investment    
Kantake: Our securities business provides services
designed to accumulate money for customers’ futures. As
such, our own reputation is called into question. We haveselected four funds to offer, all of which are operated byfund managers that explain the benefits of long-term
cumulative investments to customers in the same terms as
we do. This narrow selection was chosen in response tocustomers who stated that, while they wanted to beginasset building, there were too many options for them tochoose from with the hope of making this choice easier forthem. Furthermore, as these funds have met the government’s criteria for being applicable under the Tsumitate
NISA program, they can be utilized with peace of mind
even by customers that are new to asset building, areoverly busy, or are apprehensive toward investment.
Nakaki: That is why it is ideal for the fund managementcompanies we partner with to be those that customers
can familiarize themselves with. We therefore selected
funds that were worthy of our trust through careful evaluations from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives.
The criteria for these evaluations included (1) how
compelling their philosophy is, (2) whether they are working
to continually improve their performance, and (3) if they
actively engage with their customers. I believe that ourinvestment trust business is the ultimate sharing business.
In the investment trust business, the money received from
customers is channeled through sales companies, tsumiki
Securities in our case, to trust funds of management companies and then to companies boasting value. The last
step of this cycle sees returns being made to customers
through the business activities of those companies. The
resulting cycle creates a business that is beneficial for customers, the sales company, fund managers, the companies in which investments are made, and society.
Moreover, returns are shared in this business, which issustainable over the long term. There are still very few
sales companies and fund managers that have fully
embraced this model. As a forerunner in this area, I hopeto promote the spread of cumulative investment.

Our securities business provides services designed
to accumulate money for customers’ futures.
As such, our own reputation is called into question.
Asumi Kantake
Improvement of Overall Corporate Valueby Utilizing Management Resources    
Kantake: Tsumitate NISA is an offering designed with thecustomer in mind. This is illustrated by the fact that it has
no trust sales commissions and low trust fees. Manycompanies are choosing not to take advantage of thisprogram because of its low profitability. MARUI GROUP,
meanwhile, is proactively utilizing this program because
it represents an opportunity to fully utilize its management resources, such as its stores, IT systems, humanresources, and affiliates, and because it boasts a customer base consisting of 6.6 million EPOS cardholders.
Nakaki: One will be compelled to purchase an offering
when the lifestyle that offering proposes resonates withthem. Investment trusts can be seen as one such offering. Furthermore, exercising the full potential of MARUIGROUP requires the strength of individual employees.
It is when a charismatic employee devotes themselves toserving a single customer and contributing to their happiness that we will be able to provide services that are
truly tailored to individual customers. The ability to makeproposals that resonate with customers I sensed in
MARUI GROUP’s employees after joining the Company
is something I feel that we can leverage to its fullest.
Kantake: Encouraging customers to engage in cumulative investment over the long term will also contribute tolong-term use of EPOS cards. MARUI GROUP’s securities
business is therefore incredibly meaningful to improving
the Company’s corporate value.

47

MARUI GROUP’s Vision for Financial Inclusion

MARUI GROUP’s Vision for Financial Inclusion

MARUI GROUP Employees Supporting the Securities Businessreating something completely new isa difficult but enjoyable task. The new
securities business is an unprecedented
undertaking. I therefore strive to makeproposals I can feel confident in based ondata-backed hypotheses. Customers’ needs
regarding money vary from person to person.
By proposing events, experiences, andopportunities for communication to help
customers gain knowledge and peace ofmind regarding money, I hope to alleviate
their concerns for the future and help themfeel at ease in their daily spending.

C

Masahiro Uchida
FinTech Business Development Department,
Epos Card Co., Ltd.
Qualifications: Securities sales representativefter being involved in space production and corporate planning, I found myself at tsumiki Securities
helping to start up MARUI GROUP’s securities business.
This company was born out of the collective strength ofindividuals with various backgrounds and skills from insideand outside of MARUI GROUP. In addition to these individuals, we also receive a lot of support from those aroundus. As such, our efforts cannot be defined in terms of ourcompany. They rather take form through the cooperationof everyone involved. Valuing long-term relationships withcustomers, I hope to contribute to developing a businessthat builds a community of similar ideals.

earning about the importance of asset
building in a society of increasingly long
lifespans, I sought to address this issue. Using thecustomer service skills I acquired through myretail experience, I aspire to become an employeethat customers feel comfortable consulting with.
I thereby want to make tsumiki Securities into a
company that values an un-finance-like atmosphere,
in a good way, and that wins the support of younger
generations and everyone else.

Customer Engagement Department,
tsumiki Securities Co., Ltd.
Qualifications: S ecurities sales representative
Financial planner

he never-before-seen scheme ofT purchasing investment trusts throughcredit card payments is something that only
MARUI GROUP could create. I aim to play apart in satisfying the customers of tsumiki
Securities to help this company attract morecustomers and turn their concerns for the
future into hope. My contributions will be madein the systems division supporting its platform by ensuring the stable operation of its
systems as I also make new proposals.

48

W

Kiyomi Minamiyama

Reika Sakuma

Women’s Shoes,
Yurakucho Marui,
MARUI CO., LTD.
Qualifications: Financial plannerA

Soichiro Tanaka

hen participating in a financial plannereducation program, I learned thatmany feel concerns regarding money but do
not know how to address these concerns.
This realization filled me with a desire toshare the knowledge I had gained through theprogram with these individuals. I therefore
aim to transmit various information that is ofinterest to customers to encourage them tomake their first investment through tsumiki
Securities.

L

FinTech Business Development Department,
Epos Card Co., Ltd.
Qualifications: Securities sales representative
Financial plannert is common for people to feel aversion
toward finance and securities. It is my job tohelp such people take their first step into thesefields. I am currently enjoying the process of asking
customers about their needs at discussion forums
and finding means of addressing these needs. By
creating the services that win the support of lots ofcustomers, I hope to help build a society in whichpeople can feel at peace and optimistic when
thinking about money and the future.

Ieople are increasingly being motivated tosupport companies that contribute to society. I chose to participate in the securities businesswith the goal of providing an outlet for this desire tocontribute. I also wanted to help with the first stepof people becoming aware of the appeal of suchsupportive investments, which can address concerns regarding money. Rather than financial
advice, in this business it is more important toprovide personal advice. I therefore aim to create
services that cater to the needs of each individual
customer and that are accessible anywhere.

P

Miku Yamanaka
FinTech Business Development Department,
Epos Card Co., Ltd.

Mai Demura
Customer Engagement Department,
tsumiki Securities Co., Ltd.
Qualifications: Securities sales representative

think the large number of younger customers for whom their EPOS card is their firstcard is a powerful asset for MARUI GROUP’s
securities business. I was working at a store until
just recently. With the faces and voices of thecustomers I served at my store in mind, I will strive
to foster a community that blurs the lines between
customers and employees as we learn about
finance together.

I

Yuuto Sakuma
FinTech Business Development Department,
Epos Card Co., Ltd.
Qualifications: Securities sales representatives part of an overseas dispatch seminar, I had
the opportunity to observe Nordic societies.
This experience made me realize the need for asset
building frameworks to support life security inJapan. At tsumiki Securities, my job, of course,
involves providing financial insight. More important, however, is to develop an understanding ofcustomers’ concerns by speaking with them andthen find ways to alleviate these concerns. I want tohelp create a society in which everyone is able touse their money to achieve self-actualization.

A

Hiroyuki Kasugai
aim to link customers to tsumiki
I Securities and thereby foster understanding of the ease and importance of asset
building to the point that customers begin
spreading the word of how tsumiki Securities
is the choice for asset building. In the future,
I plan to branch out from investment trusts toresearch other investment products that might
be useful to our customers in order to createeven more services that can be accessed
through credit cards as a Japan first.

Hisao Imura

Tatsuya Oguma

Customer System Development Department,
M & C SYSTEMS CO., LTD.
Qualifications: Information Technology Passport Examination
Personal information manager

Operation Department,
tsumiki Securities Co., Ltd.
Qualifications: Securities sales representative

Women’s Purses,
Shinjuku Marui Main Building,
MARUI CO., LTD.
Qualifications: Financial planner49