My name is Son Kimsa. I grew up in Cambodia and lived there until high school before coming to Japan in 2005 on a MEXT scholarship. I chose Japan for my studies because of my admiration for the country. Japan has provided Cambodia with high-quality ODA support, positively impacting our development. This has fostered deep appreciation among Cambodians, with symbols like the "Japan-Cambodia Friendship Bridge" as testaments to this bond.

Upon arriving in Japan, I spent a year studying Japanese at Osaka University of Foreign Studies before enrolling in the Faculty of Economics at Nagoya University in 2006. My university time was fulfilling and memorable, and I shared it with excellent peers.

During my time in Osaka, I spent weekends exploring places like Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara with fellow international students. I also experienced a one-week homestay in Inami, Hyogo Prefecture, through a host family program, which was incredibly enriching.

Nagoya University was well-regarded in Cambodia, especially for its law and economics faculties, which attracted many Cambodian students. I became an active member of the university’s international student association, participating in various events. What stood out the most was engaging with Japanese communities through school festivals and cultural exchanges. Representing Cambodia in these activities gave me a sense of pride and purpose.

I’ve always loved Japanese history and culture, so participating in events like Bon Odori was particularly meaningful. The warmth and kindness of the Japanese people left a lasting impression. Even 20 years later, reminiscing about these times brings back vivid memories.

After working as a part-time employee and on short-term contracts, I began job hunting during a challenging period following the global financial crisis. Writing numerous self-introductions and resumes was an uphill battle.

Through connections in the international student association, I was introduced to Business Partner, a global company focusing on Cambodia’s economic development. With my economics background, I decided to apply and joined the company in 2014. I’ve been with them since, celebrating my 10-year work anniversary in April 2024.

When choosing a job, having a clear sense of purpose is crucial. Personally, I’ve found fulfillment in helping improve the lives of Cambodians and supporting economic growth through my work.

For job seekers, my advice is to select a company with a purpose that resonates with you and clearly communicate your motivation during interviews. As someone involved in recruitment, I can tell you that companies look for passion, purpose, and commitment—not just skills. A strong reason for applying can set you apart. Moreover, demonstrating your willingness to grow with the company will make a lasting impression.

Language proficiency is key. While many international students already have basic Japanese skills, communicating fluently at a native level is a significant advantage in job hunting. English proficiency is also crucial, especially in global companies like ours, where it’s frequently used.

Aside from language, understanding the core skills required for your role is important. In our company, even without a specialized economics background, having fundamental abilities and knowledge in microfinance can be a big plus.

Lastly, critical thinking is indispensable. Knowing how to make well-informed decisions based on data and analysis is vital. Looking back, I wish I had developed this skill further earlier in my career.

Job Description

The primary focus of microfinance is on providing loans and installment plans for customers who wish to purchase items such as cars, motorcycles, mobile phones, and household appliances. Our typical customers are individuals with lower incomes, earning a monthly salary (including overtime) of approximately $350 to $500. While major banks target the financially well-off upper class, microfinance caters to those who have some financial stability but cannot afford to purchase big-ticket items outright.

For example, in Cambodia, owning a motorcycle is almost essential for commuting to work or school, making motorcycle installment plans highly sought after. Beyond Cambodia, our subsidiaries in several Southeast Asian countries face similar demands. When we began, there were already many microfinance companies in Cambodia, and their numbers have not declined. Initially, microfinance often started as NGOs and later transitioned into businesses, shaping the industry as it exists today.

Cambodia is still developing, and considering the current landscape, financial companies like ours will likely remain essential for at least the next 5–10 years.

My Career Journey

I began working with the company as a Business Partner in late 2013 and officially joined in April 2014. Initially, I was based in Japan, where I focused on gaining a thorough understanding of the company’s operations and business model to prepare for future overseas assignments.

Six months later, I was assigned to Cambodia. The transfer was sudden, driven by the lingering effects of the Lehman Brothers crisis, which had weakened the company’s performance. Cambodia, our first overseas branch, was underperforming, and we urgently needed someone to turn things around. I took on this challenge from the frontlines, serving as a key player in revitalizing the business.

Rebuilding the business was not easy. Until 2014, the Cambodian branch had been consistently in the red. By December 2015, we finally managed to turn a profit, though the improvement was modest. The biggest challenge was ensuring customers repaid their loans. A lack of detailed customer analysis before lending led to many customers defaulting. Moreover, word spread that loan repayments could be avoided, compounding the issue. When I first arrived, I encountered individuals who genuinely didn’t understand why they had to repay borrowed money, reflecting a low level of financial literacy.

Fast forward about ten years, and the situation has improved dramatically. Loan balances have increased 10.2 times over the past decade, and the business is now thriving, with even more opportunities ahead. The key is capitalizing on competitors’ struggles. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when competitors faltered, we focused on lending to quality customers, strengthening our position.

Cambodia’s economy remains volatile, as evidenced by an increase in overdue loans (30+ days) from 4.45% in April 2023 to 8.31% in October 2024. While this presents economic challenges, it also creates opportunities. We can generate profits by accurately analyzing customer situations and lending to high-quality borrowers.

Competitive Advantages

Our strength lies in our access to funding. We have a significant advantage with a parent company in Japan and the ability to secure funds from international markets. Leveraging these resources when competitors cannot is a critical strategy. As the saying goes, "What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is mine"—we aim to seize every opportunity, ours and our competitors.

As COO, my role is second only to the CEO. I oversee all sales operations, set company sales and profit targets in collaboration with the CEO and other team members, and devise strategies to achieve them. At our Cambodian subsidiary, which has about 700 employees, it’s essential to communicate our goals and the measures needed to reach them. The challenge lies in developing and equipping our team to achieve profitability and contribute to the group’s success. I observe market conditions daily and think strategically about how to outmaneuver competitors.

At the same time, I am a lifelong learner. Strengthening my analytical and strategic thinking skills is as much a personal goal as it is for my team.

The work environment is excellent. Our parent company is committed to global expansion, and our subsidiary has consistently grown in revenue and profit, fostering a sense of employee pride. We share a collective ambition to celebrate our successes while striving for more remarkable growth.

This optimistic outlook is shared between the parent company and us. From their perspective, we are a key part of their global expansion strategy. From our perspective, we take pride in being the leading microfinance institution in Cambodia. Reports from the central bank show that while other financial institutions face deficits, we continue to generate profits. We communicate this success to our employees, emphasizing that their efforts drive our achievements and that more significant results lead to better compensation.

Our company thrives on a meritocratic mindset: those who work hard are rewarded. This is reflected in our slogan, “A culture of learning and enabling learning.” We focus on nurturing talent, so we welcome individuals with clear motivations and the ability to think critically, even if they lack industry experience.

Conversely, our competitive nature may not suit individuals who struggle with competition. We emphasize rivalry—both internally and externally—making it challenging for those who lack this mindset.