DE&I in TDK: Part 1
Diversity: The Strength to
Shape the Future
At TDK, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) are strategic imperatives that fuel innovation, drive transformation, and support sustainability. By embracing its diverse team members and their wide array of experiences, perspectives, and skills, TDK significantly enhances its business performance and strengthens its global presence in electronics and technology.
TDK Diversity as a Strength
Collaboration between team members, PT. TDK ELECTRONICS INDONESIA
TDK’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) is directly linked to TDK’s Long-term Vision: “TDK Transformation. Accelerating transformation for a sustainable future.” This Long-term Vision highlights how diversity and our immensely talented team members play a synergistic and pivotal role in creating sustainable solutions that address global challenges and accelerate society’s advancements through technology.
However, like society as a whole, TDK understands the importance of establishing effective inclusive leadership practices in order to foster true future-shaping capabilities. Jay Sebastian, Head of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion at TDK Human Resources HQ, states, “Our mission is to foster a corporate culture that values diversity, promotes inclusive leadership practices, and creates an environment where all team members feel valued and included.”
‘TDK United’ – A Fusion of Value Creation and Teamwork
Born in Japan in 1935, TDK has grown into a truly global corporation with over 100,000 team members across 250+ sites in more than 30 countries worldwide (as of the end of FY2024). After acquiring many companies around the world, TDK today operates as a multinational powerhouse, with approximately 90% of its sales and team members coming from outside of Japan. The challenge then becomes synthesizing a diverse workforce into a collaborative group dedicated to a common vision.
Major acquisitions and establishment of new companies
Noboru Saito, President & CEO of TDK, states, “TDK's biggest strength and driving force is ‘TDK United,’ a highly individualistic fusion that creates value through teamwork among team members around the world.”
Like the fusion created by a jazz band, “TDK United” brings together diverse teams with their own unique skills and perspectives to create innovative solutions through mutual understanding while simultaneously developing the individual’s skill.
The Importance of Empowerment & Transparency
Empowerment and transparency are crucial elements in fostering a thriving organizational culture within TDK and enabling sustainable growth. TDK strives to encourage individuals at all levels to take ownership of their roles, make informed decisions, and contribute to the company’s overall success.
By empowering team members to create impact, TDK unlocks the potential of its workforce and fosters an environment of trust and accountability. When our people feel they have control over their work and decisions, they are more motivated and engaged, leading to increased productivity and satisfaction and improved business results.
Developing & Training the Next Generation of Diverse Leadership
Developing organizational capabilities and efficiencies is another essential element for achieving TDK’s Long-term Vision. This includes developing future leadership candidates from our diverse talent pool at all levels.
As part of its comprehensive program to identify and develop top talent within TDK, managerial programs—from entry-level to executive level are provided globally, as detailed in the graphic below.
Karine Le Heiget, Deputy Head of Human Growth in the Global Division of HR HQ, states, “Since 2018, we have offered four Global Leadership and Management programs, from junior leadership to corporate officers’ level. The goal of all these programs is to enhance leadership and management capabilities, develop future-ready leaders, and support a strong talent pipeline. We embed the global competencies and collaborate with our DE&I team to introduce inclusive leadership practices into the design of these programs.”
Global Management Programs of TDK
Additionally, Karine described the importance of all aspects of diversity to the Global Training Programs and TDK’s future success: “We believe diversity in all of its forms – education, business unit, thinking style, gender, etc., is a key ingredient to innovative, high-performing teams. Moreover, it is a key ingredient to a wonderful learning experience for our program participants. As such, we monitor many aspects of the diversity of our participants. For example, to raise awareness of gender diversity, we provide data from the past years to encourage nominating managers to consider qualified men and women equally during their selection process. We also focus on Inclusive Leadership practices in all our programs to spread good practices within the TDK leadership team.”
TDK Team Members participating in intercultural awareness training at a GMP training session in November 2023.
Hiroko Funatsu, a Corporate Marketing & Incubation team member in TDK Corporation in Tokyo and a Global Management Program participant, described her experience: “We visited various overseas locations for training. We have been to Switzerland, the United States, Germany, China, Indonesia and in the end, we gathered in Japan. I went to this training hoping to see and absorb a lot of things and make many friends in the group. In group work, we had to discuss with colleagues from completely different industries and backgrounds and express our opinions while respecting each other's opinions. All of that had to be done in English. It was a big challenge but also a fruitful experience.”
Peter Konrad, Head of Ferromagnetic Composite Materials Development Dept. at TDK Electronics, a TDK Group Company, in Šumperk, Czech Republic, described his Territorial Career Development Program experience: “The TCDP was a remarkable journey. The exceptional networking opportunities allowed me to connect with 28 wonderful colleagues from various TDK branches across Europe. The chance to exchange experiences with people in distinct roles and locations was invaluable. The project work with highly motivated colleagues and the open environment for reflection and presenting ideas made it a unique experience.”
Team Members participating in TCDP training in Europe in September 2023
Inclusive Leadership: Cornerstone of TDK’s Vision
Core to TDK’s Long-term Vision and a key initiative in people strategies, the DE&I team, established in 2023, works to ensure that inclusivity is woven into every aspect of operations, forming the backbone of TDK’s operational framework. Inclusive Leadership combines a variety of skills and capabilities that create an environment where every team member feels a sense of belonging and contribution to the overall health of the organization.
Scene from TCDP training in Europe in 2022
Informed by these Guiding Principles, DE&I is positioned in TDK to drive measures based on the following three A’s, paving the way for long-term success.
●Raising AWARENESS of the impact of Diversity and inclusive leadership practices.
●Inspiring ACTION to model and demonstrate inclusive leadership practices.
●Taking ACCOUNTABILITY to measure progress and hold ourselves responsible for DE&I outcomes.
DE&I Key Achievements and Plans Ahead
Entering 2025, the DE&I Team is focusing on three key themes that will continue to expand and grow our diversity accomplishments. First, promote DE&I through initiated measures that will further support the participation of all team members, including women and LGBTQ+ team members. Second, develop leaders through innovative training initiatives that enhance and accelerate innovation and business success. Third, continue to improve team member engagement through inclusive leadership, open communications, and leadership accountability.
Major DE&I efforts at TDK to date
The Path Forward
The strength of TDK’s diversity enables us to innovate and transform our businesses while shaping a more equitable future for society. By championing diversity, TDK is building a dynamic and thriving workforce of team members that will make a lasting impact on a sustainable society.
As further championed by previously mentioned Karine Le Heiget, “The level of diversity in our different team members is a strength indeed, although it’s a challenge to confront different perspectives before reaching a common understanding and consensus. It’s a rewarding and enriching journey, and every challenge represents a learning opportunity.”
A diverse and inclusive team member culture gives TDK a distinct competitive advantage, improving productivity, creativity, and overall business results. At TDK, diversity is not merely a value—it is a strength that ensures TDK remains a leader in technology, innovation, and sustainability for future generations.
Join us for the next Featured Story as we look at diversity and leadership opportunities from a woman's perspective.
