Did you know that a Daihatsu employee is competing on the world stage in Brazilian jiu-jitsu?
That athlete is Mika Tanaka-san of the Daihatsu Digital Innovators (DDI) Group in the Digital Transformation Promotion Dept.!
While working full-time as a company employee, she is also active as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu athlete in Japan and overseas.
At the World Championships held this May, she achieved an impressive third-place finish!
She truly is one of Daihatsu's "dual-career" employees shining on the world stage☆★
We spoke with Tanaka-san about her thoughts on her work and competition, as well as what drives her forward.
Work | From Exterior Design to App Development
Making the Work Environment Better Support Monozukuri
Tanaka-san joined Daihatsu Motor as a new graduate in 2020. At the time, she was responsible for exterior design in the Vehicle Structure & Function Development Division.
Exterior design mainly involves designing the “face” of a vehicle, including parts such as the front and rear bumpers. The work requires repeated fine-tuning while considering not only visual appeal, but also part structure, functionality, and ease of mass production.
Design work also often involves moving projects forward in collaboration with many different people. In this environment, one thing Tanaka-san noticed was the amount of work still being done on paper.
Tanaka Digital Transformation Promotion Dept.
I thought that past design assets and knowledge could be put to better use if we digitalized paper-based workflows.
Experiencing these limitations firsthand made me want to help create an environment that supports monozukuri through digital technology, rather than simply being involved in design work.
The Work of the DDI Group
With this goal in mind, Tanaka-san began taking on the new challenge of app development in January 2026 as a member of the fifth cohort of the DDI Group in the Digital Transformation Promotion Dept. !
Tanaka-san had no prior experience in app development or anything like it. Even so, she learned by using learning tools such as curricula created by her senior colleagues and Udemy, and whenever she encountered something she did not understand, she would research it and try things out on her own. Through this repeated process, she steadily built up her knowledge one step at a time.
Aiming to Create “People-Friendly, Universal Digitalization”
What Tanaka-san values in her work is the idea of “people-friendly, universal digitalization,” which is also Daihatsu’s DX slogan.
Tanaka Digital Transformation Promotion Dept.
I believe that an app does not have value simply because it has been created; its value comes from actually being used and becoming integrated into day-to-day work. When developing apps, I carefully consider where users are facing issues and why they find something difficult to use, aiming to create applications that stay close to the needs of the workplace.
Rather than focusing on new technology itself, Tanaka-san places importance on the people who use it. With this mindset, she works each day to develop apps that support people on the front lines.
Comments from associates (1)
What kind of person is Tanaka-san?
Fukuyama Digital Transformation Promotion Dept.
Tanaka-san is someone who brightens the atmosphere around her. Even when the mood gets heavy in a meeting, she naturally helps soften the atmosphere. She also has a strong curiosity for new things, and her willingness to learn on her own initiative is impressive. I’m inspired by her myself!
Nomaguchi Digital Transformation Promotion Dept.
She has incredible achievements in competition, of course, but at work, her communication skills are outstanding. Even though she is young, she has the proactive attitude to clearly express her opinions in planning and proposal settings. When I think back to myself at her age, I don’t think I could have done that much... I really respect her.
From what the two of them shared, we can see Tanaka-san’s cheerful and positive personality. While she is an athlete competing on the world stage, in the workplace, she naturally brightens the atmosphere and values communication with those around her!
That friendly and kind quality that makes you want to cheer her on is also part of Tanaka-san’s charm (^^)/
Competition | Taking on the World in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!
What Kind of Sport Is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu?
When you hear “Brazilian jiu-jitsu,” depending on your generation, many may think of the Gracie family.
Originally, Brazilian jiu-jitsu developed from Japanese judo after it was brought to Brazil and evolved in its own unique way.
It is a sport centered on ground fighting, where matches are decided either by making the opponent submit, or “tap out,” or by the number of points earned.
One of the fascinating things about Jiu-Jitsu is that it is not just size or strength that matters, but also technique and strategy.
Before She Knew It, She Was Hooked—On Her Way to Becoming Japan’s Best
Tanaka-san devoted herself to judo from elementary school through high school. Although she stepped away from competition during university, after starting her career and getting used to her job, she casually visited a dojo thinking, “Maybe I’ll give it a try.” That was how she first discovered Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
At first, she continued simply as a hobby and a way to stay active. But she began entering competitions as well with the belief that having a goal would help her improve faster.
Then, just two or three months after starting jiu-jitsu, she won the blue belt division at the All Japan Championship. She continued to build up her track record in competitions in Japan and overseas, including the All Japan Open and the Asian Championship, gradually growing into an athlete who competes on the world stage.
Work and Jiu-Jitsu: What Is the Secret Behind Her Results?
What is the secret behind Tanaka-san’s impressive track record?
Tanaka Digital Transformation Promotion Dept.
I don’t think I did anything special. I think where I am now is the result of steadily doing the things I needed to do, one by one. Continuing something has never really been difficult for me, so I have made it this far while enjoying each small step of growth along the way.
Major results come from building up small daily efforts. Seeing Tanaka-san continue to do something that sounds obvious but is actually difficult really brought home just how impressive she is.
Tanaka-san says that in continuing her “dual-career” life of both work and competition, she is especially conscious of prioritizing what needs to be done. Her habit of making the most of her limited time and taking action while identifying what she needs in the moment seems to be what allows her to balance both work and competition.
After the World Championships
Finally, we asked Tanaka-san, who achieved the outstanding result of placing third at the World Championships this May, how she felt after the tournament and what her goals are going forward.
How was the World Championships?
Tanaka Digital Transformation Promotion Dept.
I finished in third place, but I was able to beat the top-ranked athlete in the quarterfinals, which gave me confidence. I feel some disappointment, but there were moments when I was able to pull off moves I couldn’t in an international competition six months earlier, and I could also feel my own growth. In that sense, I think I was able to perform well.
What are your goals going forward?
Tanaka Digital Transformation Promotion Dept.
With the results of this tournament, I will be promoted from brown belt to black belt. While I’m happy about that, it also means I’ll be competing at an even higher level, so I see it as a new starting point. Of course, I would like to compete in the World Championships again next year, but my first goal is to be able to hold my own as a black belt. I hope to continue growing steadily while focusing on each match in front of me.
Tanaka-san gives her all to both work and competition.
It was truly inspiring to see how she faces each challenge in front of her head-on and continues to build up her daily efforts with a positive attitude.
We all look forward to cheering her on as she takes the next step in her journey as a black belt athlete (^^)/
Comments from associates (2)
Give Tanaka-san some encouragement!
Fukuyama Digital Transformation Promotion Dept.
We will fully support you at work, so when it comes to competition, please don’t worry about your job and give it your all on the world stage. I hope your success will bring courage and energy to everyone in the company!
Nomaguchi Digital Transformation Promotion Dept.
Tanaka-san’s hard work always inspires me in a positive way. Please keep taking on challenges in your own way, and continue bringing excitement to Daihatsu through your success!
At work and in our everyday lives, there are many opportunities to encounter something new. Some of you may have thought of something you are interested in but have been putting off, or something you have always wanted to try someday.
We hope Tanaka-san’s story will inspire you to start something new and give you the push you need to take a new step forward!
Text by Sato, Digital Transformation Promotion Dept. (Internal Side Job)
What is DDI?
DDI is an initiative that recruits volunteers from various departments and develops them into professional app developers. Members work as part of the DDI Group for a certain period of time, using apps to solve issues faced by departments across the company.