People of Vaisala: Yoshitaka (Yoshi) Arai, Regional Business Development Manager

People of Vaisala is a spotlight series that shows what it looks and feels like to work at Vaisala in different roles, teams, and locations. In each story, we meet one colleague and explore how one of our three Behaviors (Pioneering, Curious, Committed) shows up in their everyday work. This time: Committed.

Building markets and confidence

Based in Tokyo, Japan, Yoshitaka (Yoshi) Arai works as a Regional Business Development Manager for North East Asia, focusing on business development in Japan and Korea. He supports the Regional Director in shaping local strategies, identifying and approaching new markets, and creating the right conditions for successful product launches. Much of Yoshi’s work happens before traditional sales activities begin, as he concentrates on early engagement, understanding where Vaisala can create value, and planning how to approach customers before markets fully mature.

Just as importantly, Yoshi is committed to people development. He helps colleagues become “evangelists” in their own focus markets by deepening their understanding, building their confidence, and supporting them in leading discussions with customers and internal stakeholders. For him, good business development is never a solo effort. It is about building strong markets and strong teams at the same time, together with motivated colleagues he feels fortunate to work with.

An evolving journey at Vaisala for over 20 years

Yoshi’s path to Vaisala started almost by chance, after a lunch meeting with then President of Vaisala Japan, Juhana Hakkanen. That conversation opened a window into Vaisala’s leading position in the weather field and the strong growth potential of the industrial measurement business in Japan. He joined Vaisala in November 2005 and has now been with the company for almost twenty one years.

Since then, Yoshi has taken on several roles across sales, market development, and segment work, while consistently embracing learning and new challenges. His work has ranged from building Japan’s dew point business with semiconductor manufacturers to expanding market reach, strengthening global networks, and supporting the OPT100 launch in the power market.

Today, under the leadership of Hiroyuki Takahashi, Yoshi focuses on business development in Japan and Korea, from strategy creation to building new market opportunities. What he values most is the chance to continuously challenge himself and the trust placed in people to think, propose, and take ownership. Just as important are the many colleagues in Finland, Japan, and other regions with whom he has built long term, trusted relationships, which he considers a real privilege.

Commitment beyond the office: Art, history, and family

Yoshi’s sense of commitment extends well beyond his day to day work. Outside the office, he is dedicated to supporting his wife, who is a contemporary artist. Helping her in her artistic work allows him to use a very different part of his brain compared to his business role and offers a refreshing change in perspective.

He also enjoys visiting historical places in Japan with his children, exploring the country’s history and culture together. These moments are both a way to keep learning and a way to build meaningful, shared experiences as a family. In the same way that he is committed to building sustainable markets and capable teams over the long term, he brings that same energy to fostering creativity, curiosity, and togetherness beyond work.