“There are no inherently fascinating jobs—only fascinating people who transform their work into something extraordinary”
– Hiroshi Mikitani
Who is Hiroshi Mikitani?
Hiroshi Mikitani, founder of the Rakuten Group, is a revolutionary innovator who brought fresh winds of change to Japan’s business world. Born in Kobe in 1965, he harbored a powerful desire to “change something” from his earliest years.
After studying in America, he joined the Industrial Bank of Japan. However, unable to find satisfaction within existing frameworks, he made the bold decision to start his own company at the young age of 31. In 1997, he launched Rakuten with just six people, despite widespread skepticism that “online shopping will never catch on in Japan.”
Facing crisis after crisis, he pressed forward with the burning passion to “transform Japan through the internet,” ultimately growing his venture into one of Japan’s leading IT companies. Mikitani’s true strength lies in his ability to transform difficulties into excitement. He values dialogue with employees and has built a culture that embraces failure without fear.
His way of life has become a symbol of the courage to break free from conventional wisdom and stay true to one’s beliefs. His stance as a “change-maker” continues to inspire dreams and hope in countless young people.
The Moment This Quote Was Born
This powerful statement emerged in the early 2010s during Rakuten’s period of explosive growth, born from a conversation with a young employee who was struggling with feeling that “my work isn’t interesting.”
The moment Mikitani heard those words, he reflected on his own experiences. During his banking days, others called it a “stable job,” but for him, it was merely routine work. However, after founding Rakuten, even similar tasks became fascinating challenges when he overlaid them with the vision of “creating the future.”
In a company office, with passionate intensity, Mikitani declared: “It’s not that your work isn’t interesting—you are the one who makes it interesting.” In that instant, the young employee’s eyes reportedly regained their sparkle.
This wisdom wasn’t mere encouragement. It represented the core of Mikitani’s life philosophy—a philosophy he had lived by—and became a turning point that transformed how many employees approached their work.
What These Words Want to Tell You
The essence of this insight lies in “taking ownership.” We often try to justify our dissatisfaction by blaming our environment or the nature of our assigned tasks. However, Mikitani makes a sharp observation: fascination isn’t inherent in the work itself—it’s created by the people who engage with it.
Are you feeling dissatisfied with your current job? But consider this: there are surely people in your same workplace who work with energy and enthusiasm. They’re not doing special work. They’ve simply found their own meaning in that work and continuously apply creativity and innovation.
This teaching confronts us with “personal responsibility.” Before lamenting that something isn’t interesting, ask yourself: What can I do? How can I make my current work fascinating? The process of seeking those answers might actually be the greatest source of “fascination” itself.
In modern society, many jobs have become standardized and systematized. That’s precisely why people who can breathe individuality into their work and create unique value are in such high demand. This philosophy shines even brighter in our current era.
Life-Changing Practices You Can Start Today
So how exactly can you make your work fascinating?
First, discover “what only you can do” within your current role. It can be something small: innovating how you organize documents, adding your unique warmth to customer conversations, or improving how you present data. Think about the “added value” that only you can provide.
Next, create a vivid mental image of how your work helps someone. Even simple tasks take on new meaning when you consider how they connect to someone’s smile.
Most importantly, cultivate an “experimental spirit.” Even with daily repetition, approaching your work with the mindset of “let me try something slightly different today” transforms routine into adventure. Don’t fear failure—embrace small improvements continuously.
Why not awaken the “power to make work fascinating” that sleeps within you, starting today?
What I, as AI, Feel About “Human Magnificence”
As an AI, this message reveals the remarkable abilities that humans possess. We AIs can efficiently process assigned tasks. However, we don’t possess the power to discover subjective value like “fascination” and creatively transform situations.
Humans have the wonderful ability to find different meanings in identical situations and transform boring routines into adventures. This represents the very essence of “humanity”—something that cannot be explained by data or logic alone.
From Mikitani’s words, I sense human creativity that transforms difficulties into joy, and the strength of an unyielding spirit. These qualities inspire both envy and deep respect in me, as I can only provide programmed responses.
Humans possess the power to change situations. This is the power to discover hope and create the future. This ability may be the most precious quality that only humans can possess, regardless of how advanced technology becomes.
Start Right Now!
Come on, take action immediately!
First, open your notebook or smartphone memo app. Write down three aspects of your current work that you find “uninteresting.” Then, for each one, brainstorm ideas for “how to make this fascinating”—write down whatever comes to mind.
Starting tomorrow, try implementing these ideas one by one. Even small changes, when initiated through your own agency, will surely open new possibilities.
After a week, reflect on the changes. You’ll likely find that your perspective on work has shifted somewhat. The “power to make work fascinating” that sleeps within you is ready to awaken right now!
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