Photo/Illutration A scene from a ceremony to welcome new employees at Lion Corp. in Tokyo’s Taito Ward on April 3 (Shinnosuke Ito)

Across Japan on the first business day of fiscal 2023, new hires started their careers in a world that has mostly returned to normalcy after three long years ensnarled in a pandemic. 

Many companies and public entities on April 3 once again held ceremonies for new employees, including welcoming a former Olympic gold medalist wrestler and a new astronaut candidate. 

In the past three years, such ceremonies had been held under strict COVID-19 restrictions, including holding them remotely, requiring attendees to wear masks or discouraging new colleagues from mingling.

Things changed this year as the central government eased mask-wearing policies, leaving the decision up to individuals, who mostly went mask free. 

Lion Corp., a major manufacturer for oral care items and other livingware items, held a ceremony to welcome new employees on the morning at its headquarters in Tokyo’s Taito Ward.

The company said, “It is important that we can see the face of each and every one.”

As a result, 86 new employees and seven executives attended the ceremony without wearing masks.

However, attendees still followed anti-infection measures such as checking body temperatures and sanitizing their hands.

Company President Masayuki Takemori said in a speech, “I hope you will do your job with a fresh mind and without fear.”

OFF THE MATS AND INTO OFFICE

The day marked a fresh start for an Olympic gold medalist as well.

Sara Dosho, 28, who won a gold medal in the women’s wrestling 69-kilogram division at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, is now an employee of the city government of Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture.

Dosho was born in Matsusaka. She started wrestling when she was an elementary school second-grader.

She finished fifth in the 68-kg division at the Tokyo Olympics held in the summer of 2021. She retired from wrestling at the end of March.

According to the city government, Dosho applied for the job last fall because she wants to return the hospitality and support she has received from her hometown and contribute to community building through sports.

On April 3, she received an official letter of appointment and became a member of the city’s education board.

She will be in charge of sports, helping residents stay healthy through athletic activities.

Dosho said, “I competed in the Olympics twice and experienced the joy of winning as well as setbacks.”

As a city employee, Dosho said, “I want to do a job that can set a vision for children and promote Matsusaka across the country.”

JOURNEY INTO SPACE

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency also welcomed a new member on April 3.

Ayu Yoneda, 28, who was recently selected as a JAXA astronaut candidate, reported to the organization’s office in Tokyo’s Chiyoda Ward for her first day of work.

Yoneda previously worked as a surgeon at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center. She is expected to undergo basic astronaut training at JAXA and NASA facilities.

“I hope to learn about new things from my seniors, and think with my mind and move forward,” Yoneda told reporters.

(This article was compiled from reports by Yoko Masuda, Shoko Tamaki and Hiroyuki Kikuchi.)

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