Professionals with Passion: Seiya Makino

Our "Professionals with Passion" initiative is designed to support team members who excel not only in their roles at Robert Walters but also in their personal passions at a professional level. Robert Walters Japan will help the selected individuals develop their craft by providing various support based on their unique needs over the next year.

Seiya is a Consultant on the Robert Walters Osaka Technology & Transformation Contract team, which he successfully founded on his own after recognising a strong potential for the IT contract market in Osaka. Formerly a top tennis player, you will find Seiya on the tennis court after work where he has practiced since he was five years old. He has ranked 32nd in Japan, and he is determined to return to a top competitive level through this program.

We asked Seiya about his work, his passion for tennis, and what he hopes to achieve through this program.

What is your role at Robert Walters, and what is one thing that you are proud of having accomplished at work?  

I founded the Osaka Technology & Transformation (T&T) Contract team on my own after suggesting to the Head of Robert Walters Osaka that we establish a T&T contract presence in Osaka. At the time, we didn’t have a specialised focus on contract/temporary recruitment in the region, but I recognised a strong potential for IT contract/temporary recruitment.

While building relationships with clients and candidates has taken time, I'm pleased with the progress so far. By December, I anticipate achieving a milestone in terms of monthly margins. Although I’m still independently sourcing clients and candidates, I'm proud of the growth and development I have driven.

Can you tell us a little bit about your passion outside of work and how long you have been doing it?

My entire family plays tennis, which inspired me to take up the sport at the age of five, and tennis was my life from ages 5 to 18. Now, at 27, I have been playing for approximately 22 years. One of my proudest achievements was being ranked 30th in Japan in singles during secondary school - a moment I still vividly recall. Competing in tournaments across Osaka, the Kansai region, and on the national stage not only boosted my confidence and motivated me to keep improving but also helped me develop significantly in terms of mental strength.

One of the most transformative experiences in my tennis journey came at age 14 when I trained at IMG Academy in Florida, where Kei Nishikori also trained. Despite not speaking English at the time, I competed and practised alongside players from around the world, an experience that greatly strengthened my resilience and broadened my perspective.

While I now play tennis as a hobby, my passion for the sport remains as strong as ever. I am genuinely excited about the opportunity to start competing at a serious level again.

What are your future goals and aspirations related to your passion that you hope to achieve through this campaign?

My goal is to rank among Japan's top 200 players within the next two years, including professionals. My friends, with whom I competed in tournaments during my years from elementary through high school, are now professional players. I currently cheer them on from the sidelines, but I’m eager to seize this opportunity and compete with them again someday.

The Robert Walters Tokyo office proudly hosts the annual Recruiter’s Cup for football, achieving outstanding results as a team against our industry competitors. Inspired by this, I hope to represent Robert Walters in tennis, win matches, and proudly share a photo of my trophy on social media soon!