Nao Ishikawa is the Director of Human Resources for Japan and Korea at PTC, where he leads regional people strategy in support of business growth, cultural alignment, and organizational transformation. Based in Japan, Nao partners closely with senior leadership to advance talent development, employee engagement, and workforce planning across diverse, high growth markets. He brings extensive experience in HR leadership within global technology organizations, with a strong focus on balancing global standards with local cultural nuance. Known for his collaborative and thoughtful approach, Nao plays a key role in strengthening employer branding, fostering inclusive workplace practices, and supporting PTC’s broader digital transformation initiatives across the Asia Pacific region.
As Japan’s manufacturing industry stands at a defining crossroads shaped by demographic change, shifting global dynamics, and complex supply-chain challenges, technology has become more essential than ever.
We sat down with PTC Japan President Tomo Kamiya for a candid conversation about how PTC aims to support the future of Japanese manufacturing, the culture that powers our teams, and the new generation of talent that will empower our customers to navigate what’s next.
The Role of PTC Japan in the Market
Q: Japan’s manufacturing industry is facing significant challenges today. What role do you believe PTC Japan should play in this environment?
Kamiya-san: Japan’s manufacturing industry is confronting population decline, shifting competitive pressures, and persistent productivity challenges. In my view, the path forward will be defined by innovation and the talent capable of harnessing it.
For more than 40 years, PTC has provided the foundational technologies that support digital manufacturing, including CAD, PLM, and ALM. Our role in Japan is to help manufacturers use these technologies not just to optimize processes, but to fundamentally transform how they design, build, and sustain products.
Ultimately, our goal is simple: to energize Japanese manufacturing and help it thrive in the next era of global competition.
Looking Ahead
Q: What kind of transformation do you want PTC Japan to achieve over the next three to five years?
Kamiya-san: There are two priorities I think about often.
First, we need to strengthen our brand awareness in Japan. PTC is well known in certain areas like design and product development, but there is still room to broaden understanding of the full value we bring to the full-cycle manufacturing process.
Second, and just as important, we must preserve something that already makes us strong, our genuine love for our own products. PTC employees truly believe in what we build. That pride fuels innovation and motivates people to go the extra mile for our customers.
For nearly three decades, PTC has worked hand-in-hand with Japanese manfucturers. Through every shift in the industry, protecting our ‘Customers Matter’ value will continue to prove critical.
Innovation, DX, and Industry Change
Q: In the context of Japan’s push toward digital transformation, what value does PTC provide to manufacturers today?
Kamiya-san: Historically, we’re known for delivering best-in-class individual applications. Today, manufacturers need more than that. Systems cannot operate in isolation. We’ve evolved into a company that delivers integrated solutions. An intelligent product lifecycle connects people, processes, and product data across the enterprise, delivering automatically synchronized, future ready solutions aligned to each customer’s strategic goals.
Our global scale gives today’s manufacturers access to some of the most advanced technology deployments and best practices. At the same time, our teams across Japan are deeply committed to localized, relationship-driven, detailed-oriented engagement that reflects the expectations of the industry.
We engage closely and carefully with each customer in Japan. When systems are automatically connected and aligned to strategic goals, manufacturers can move faster and make better decisions.
It’s this combination—global strength paired with local commitment—that continues to set PTC Japan apart.
Q: Is there a recent initiative or technology trend that excites you most?
Kamiya-san: One example is our focus on industry-specific transformation. We recently established a dedicated automotive team to support a sector undergoing a significant shift, from electrification to software-defined vehicles. This kind of focused expertise allows us to engage much more deeply with customer challenges, and we plan to expand this approach into other industries as well.
Company Culture, Ways of Working, and Strategic Leadership
Kamiya-san: We have over 200 people in Japan from different generations, backgrounds, and nationalities working together. Desipite that diversity, or perhaps because of it, the unity is strong. Ideas flow freely, and internal politics are minimal. People are aligned, driven by our values, and we share a collective vision.
Q: How do you create an environment where employees feel comfortable taking on challenges?
Kamiya-san: It starts with respect. My guiding principle is very simple: don’t do to others what you wouldn’t want done to you. If everyone practices that consistently, you create a workplace where people feel safe speaking up, experimenting, and challenging themselves. That sort of organization will never deteriorate.
Small, everyday actions matter. Over time, they shape a culture where people are willing to take ownership and push beyond their comfort zones.
Q: What is the moment you feel most proud to work at PTC?
Kamiya-san: When customers say, “We’re truly glad we chose PTC.” Implementing enterprise systems is never easy. Knowing that we’ve made a real difference after go-live is incredibly meaningful, for me and our teams.
Q: As a leader, what values guide your decisions, especially in difficult situations?
Kamiya-san: Fairness, respect, and long-term thinking. Decisions should be grounded in what’s right for our employees and our customers, not just what is convenient in the moment. This people-first approach influences communication, collaboration, and leadership at every level.
Career, Growth, and Learning
Q: What type of talent thrives at PTC Japan?
Kamiya-san: Future members of PTC Japan should bring one shared aspiration: A desire to revitalize Japanese manufacturing. Success comes to those who put customer outcomes at the center of their work. Team members who are curious about innovation, AI, and future technologies tend to excel here, as do individuals who share our passion for learning, experimenting, and solving complex challenges.
PTC offers:
- Open internal job applications
- Annual career discussions
- Comprehensive global and local training programs
But personal ownership is key. This environment rewards independence, initiative, and proactive thinking. Your career is something you build yourself. PTC gives you the tools, how you use them is up to you.
A Message to Current and Future Employees
Q: What do you expect from current employees as PTC Japan continues to grow?
Kamiya-san: I hope they continue to embody our values, putting customers first, collaborating openly, and always looking ahead to the next challenge. Growth is not about standing still, it’s about evolving together. Different roles, one direction—that shared purpose is the force that moves PTC forward.
Q: And what about those considering joining PTC?
Kamiya-san: I seek out people who care deeply about the work they do and the impact it has on others. At PTC, everyone brings different skills and perspectives, but what connects us is a shared sense of resonsibility to support one another, to learn together, and to contribute to something meaningful.
Manufacturing remains one of Japan’s most essential industries, supporting competitiveness and employment for decades. If you want to strengthen the industry, energize it again, and help create the future with cutting-edge software, we want you to come work with us.
This conversation with President Kamiya reflects what defines PTC Japan today: a clear sense of purpose, a deep respect for people, and a belief that technology creates its greatest value when it brings individuals and teams together. As manufacturers navigate rapid change, PTC’s role goes beyond delivering solutions, it’s about supporting customers, empowering employees, and building an environment where people can learn, contribute, and grow with confidence.
Whether partnering with customers on complex transformations or welcoming new voices into the organization, PTC Japan remains focused on one constant: progress is driven by people.
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