My career journey through a rapidly evolving energy industry

At Robert Walters, we believe the strongest candidate relationships are built over many years, not just during a job search. Akira Yokoyama's partnership with Robert Walters Japan began when Jeremy Sampson, now CEO of North East Asia & Greater China and head of our Japan business, supported him through his first career move as a recruitment consultant. Over the following 15 years, Robert Walters supported him with two further transitions, acting as a trusted career partner throughout Akira's professional journey. In this interview, Akira reflects on a career shaped by the evolution of the energy sector, sharing the experiences, decisions and mindset that have guided him along the way.

What first got me thinking about a career move — and how I prepared

I've always been interested in industries involving heavy machinery and plant equipment. When I was at university, I focused my job search on companies operating in that space and eventually joined Kawasaki Heavy Industries, partly because I had a personal interest in motorcycles.

During my time there, I was fortunate to take on a variety of roles across both domestic and international sales, including positions within the power generation EPC business and gas turbine business. At the time, I expected to spend my entire career with one company.

My perspective on career mobility began to change around 12 or 13 years into my career, when several colleagues moved on to other companies. Until then, changing jobs had felt like something distant for me. Seeing people I knew make that move made me realise it could be a realistic option for me as well.

That said, I didn't immediately start looking for a new role. Instead, I began by speaking with recruitment consultants to better understand my market value and the opportunities available in the market. Around the same time, I developed a habit of updating my CV every year. It wasn't because I was actively planning to leave, but because I wanted to be prepared if the right opportunity came along.

I was also becoming increasingly interested in working for a multinational organisation. Although I was working for a Japanese company, English communication was already a regular part of my role, and I wanted to build on those experiences in a more international environment.

The Great East Japan Earthquake―and a pivotal move into a multinational company

The turning point came in 2011 following the Great East Japan Earthquake.

At the time, the Japanese energy market was undergoing significant change. The importance of highly efficient combined-cycle power generation was growing as the industry explored alternatives to nuclear energy, while the strong yen was creating new dynamics for global business. I became increasingly interested in working within the large gas turbine sector and wanted to be closer to where those developments were taking place.

It was at this point that Jeremy, then a consultant at Robert Walters Japan (now CEO of North East Asia & Greater China and head of the Japan business), introduced me to an opportunity with Siemens.

Robert Walters has always felt like a genuine career partner, helping me think about my long-term professional development.

Making my first move outside Kawasaki Heavy Industries was a major decision. Leaving a large, well-established organisation after nearly 20 years inevitably came with uncertainty, and there were family members, friends and colleagues who questioned whether it was the right choice.

What stood out throughout the process was the level of support I received from Robert Walters. From interview preparation to post-interview discussions, the team invested significant time in helping me work through my questions and concerns. Those conversations encouraged me to reflect deeply on what I truly wanted from my career.

Ultimately, that process gave me the confidence to take the next step.

Since then, I have maintained a close relationship with Robert Walters, and the team has gone on to support three career moves throughout my career. What I value most is their willingness to look beyond immediate opportunities and take a long-term view of career development. That is why I see them not simply as recruiters, but as trusted career partners.

Growing alongside the transformation of the energy industry

My move to Siemens opened the door to a new stage of professional growth and learning within the large gas turbine business.

As Japan accelerated investment in renewable energy following the introduction of the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) scheme, I became increasingly interested in the broader transformation taking place across the energy sector. In particular, I saw significant potential in gas engine technologies that could support the integration of renewable energy by providing flexible and reliable balancing power.

Over the course of my career, I worked across a broad range of energy technologies, including:

• Coal-fired power generation and diesel generation for remote islands (Kawasaki Heavy Industries)
• Small-scale gas power generation and cogeneration systems (Kawasaki Heavy Industries)
• Medium- and large-scale gas power generation (Siemens, Wärtsilä)
• Geothermal energy development (geothermal power developer)
• Battery energy storage systems (BESS manufacturer)

Looking back, my 15 years in multinational organisations closely mirrored the evolution of the energy industry itself. Each transition allowed me to gain exposure to a different stage of that transformation, broadening both my technical knowledge and my understanding of the market.

Broadening perspectives from sales to business development

While much of my early career focused on technology and equipment sales, I later had the opportunity to work on the developer side of the geothermal energy industry. Seeing projects from a completely different perspective proved to be an invaluable learning experience.

More recently, I moved into the battery energy storage sector, where I worked across both sales and business development in a rapidly growing market. The experience further expanded my understanding of how the energy landscape is evolving and the opportunities that come with that change.

I have always been naturally curious and enjoy stepping into unfamiliar environments and cultures. Throughout my career, I have also consistently worked as a hands-on manager, balancing commercial responsibilities with leadership and people management.

One of the greatest benefits of spending 15 years in multinational organisations has been the opportunity to experience the strengths, cultures and ways of working found in both Japanese and international businesses. Those experiences have become one of the most valuable aspects of my professional development.

Today, I am preparing for another new chapter as I return to a Japanese company. After spending nearly 20 years with a Japanese organisation, followed by 15 years across several multinational businesses, I find myself coming full circle.

I am excited by the opportunity to apply what I have learned across different industries, organisations and business cultures, and to create value in a completely new environment.

Building a career with purpose and preparation

When evaluating career opportunities, I have always focused less on where I might be in five or ten years and more on whether I can create meaningful value in a role from the outset.

No matter how attractive an opportunity may appear, I would not join an organisation if I could not clearly see how I could contribute and thrive there. That is why having a clear sense of direction is so important.

For me, that direction has never been about changing jobs for the sake of it. Rather, it has been about continuing to broaden my horizons through curiosity, learning and personal growth. A career move is simply one means of achieving that objective.

I take the same long-term approach to working with recruitment consultants. Rather than engaging only when actively looking for a new role, I have maintained ongoing conversations about market developments, industry trends and my own professional value throughout my career.

In an industry as dynamic as energy, it is particularly important to work with consultants who understand not just a specific niche, but the wider market landscape. Robert Walters' team-based approach has been especially valuable in that respect.

If I could offer one final piece of advice, it would be this: there is no need to rush into a job search. I have always believed in staying prepared and waiting for opportunities that genuinely align with my goals and values. Opportunities tend to come to those who are ready to seize them.

Today, professionals have access to a wealth of resources, including AI tools that can help generate new ideas and perspectives. While these tools can be useful, there is no substitute for regularly reflecting on your own skills, achievements and aspirations. By doing so, you ensure you are ready when the right opportunity presents itself.