Unidos Co., Ltd.

Company overview

Under the brand name of KYODAI Remittance, Unidos Co., Ltd. provides an overseas remittance service for sending funds to the home countries of foreigners living in Japan. The company has 19 outlets in Japan, and the area serviced by the remittance service covers more than 200 countries and territories. The cumulative number of remittances handled has exceeded 5.6 million (as of August 2021). The characteristics of the company are such that it has a highly diverse workforce with employees from 21 countries, accounting for about 80% of all the company's employees. The warm customer service provided to the customers that come to the company's outlets is highly acclaimed. Ms. Singh, a Nepalese that has been with the company for 10 years, happily says: "Some of the people that came to one of our outlets often want to talk with our staff on various occasions, so they come to the location frequently. There are many people that do that."
Reflecting on his thoughts toward business, President Kimoto, who has provided overseas remittance services for 30 years, said: "I moved to Brazil in the 1970s, but at that time Japan was not yet recognized worldwide as it is today, and various local people helped me. The experience at that time became the starting point for doing business. I would like to help foreigners living in Japan lead a fulfilling life."

Work-life balance initiatives

From his own experience in Brazil, President Kimoto says: "I want you to remember that your actions will make your fellow citizens look the same in society." For this reason, the company has prepared a thorough program that runs for one month after joining the company so as to develop "professionals that can provide peace of mind and trust." The program ranges from OJT and business knowledge training to compliance training that is indispensable for providing financial services. Independent study sessions are also held frequently in team units, and the company strives to improve its services on a daily basis. In addition, Vice President Kashiko Kimoto, who is the president's wife and management partner, actively supports self-development, saying: "We want you to become someone that's naturally attractive so that customers will become your fans and will want to come to see you." The company also provides subsidies for tuition fees for various qualifications and language courses, as well as incentives for acquiring qualifications. The mentor system, in which senior employees give one-on-one advice to younger employees, has also been well received, with many employees commenting that they received advice about handling customers and were very pleased when they actually tried it.

Human resource development initiatives

Regarding cross-cultural understanding, Vice President Kashiko Kimoto says: "I think of employees as family members, so it is normal to know each and every one of them well." An employee, Ms. Singh, refers to Vice President Kimoto as "Kashiko-san" because "Everyone at the company calls her by her first name. She is a very friendly person and is familiar with Nepalese culture." Vice President Kimoto goes on to say: "When someone with a nationality new to us joins the company, I and the president will travel to that country to sample and experience the culture. It is our pleasure to do this." Such an attitude is conveyed to employees, and the attitude toward different cultures is full of warmth. For example, Yumiko, from Indonesia, is free to use vacant spaces such as the conference room, break room, and landing of the stairs for prayer sessions. She says: "You can pray anywhere, and it's easy to work here with that because employees naturally accept it." In addition, the company basically has no overtime and has established a childcare support system and reduced work hours. It is focusing on enriching the lives of each individual. Ms. Singh, was in charge of customer service when she joined the company, but after her second child was born, she is now active in backroom operations while utilizing teleworking. Another feature of the company is that it is easy to return to one's home country by adjusting work days with the cooperation of the team for long vacations in a home country.

Message from our top executive

President and Representative Director Yuichiro Kimoto

The company values its slogan of "Family to Family" and considers not only employees but also customers as family. Through business, the company has been realizing as many "bonds" as possible so as to connect the hearts of people from all over the world and to build true connections between families.

Message from foreign talent

Customer service/Shakti Bhama Singh(Nepal)

Tokyo has a good public transportation system involving trains, with lots of supermarkets, so it's very convenient. As a woman, I have many opportunities to live with peace of mind and to play an active role at work. At the company, I enjoy talking not only about work but also about marriage, child-rearing, and valuable living information. Even if one is not good at Japanese, there are many environments where people can learn if they are motivated, so this is a welcome situation for me.