As she prepares to retire after 36 years with Seiko Epson Corporation, Kusama Masako reflected on a career that saw her rise from product management roles in Japan to becoming the first female president of Epson Philippines in 2022.
Speaking during her retirement announcement at the annual Fusion offsite media event, Kusama looked back on her years in the Philippines, describing her experience working with local executives and employees as one of the highlights of her career.
She also cited the resilience and hospitality of Filipinos as qualities that left a lasting impression on her during her four-year stint leading the local unit.
Kusama joined Seiko Epson in 1990 and held various leadership positions across the company before taking the helm of Epson Philippines.
During her tenure, she pushed the company to strengthen its business-to-business operations at a time when traditional printing markets were facing pressure from digitalization.
Under her leadership, Epson Philippines expanded its focus on office printers, large-format printers, projectors, and label printers, moves that the company said helped improve operational efficiency and sales organization.
The shift reflected broader changes in the global printing industry, where declining demand for document printing has forced manufacturers to seek growth in commercial and industrial applications.
Kusama said opportunities remain in segments such as textile printing, signage, and labeling, areas that continue to benefit from demand for specialized printing technologies despite the decline in office printing volumes.
She also acknowledged the challenges facing the projector business, particularly with the growing popularity of flat-panel displays.
Still, she maintained that projectors continue to have advantages in classrooms because of their larger display capabilities and could find new growth opportunities in areas such as projection mapping and home entertainment.
Her comments underscored how technology firms are increasingly repositioning themselves beyond traditional hardware markets by targeting specialized industrial applications and improving operational efficiency.
Beyond business strategy, Kusama said working across different countries taught her the importance of understanding local cultures and market conditions, which she described as essential for leaders managing global operations.
After retiring from Epson Philippines in October, Kusama will return to Japan and continue working with Seiko Group as a contractual employee under its sustainability division.
Her departure comes as Epson itself is broadening its focus beyond printing and projection technologies, with the company recently identifying industrial and robotics businesses as key growth areas for the future.
