Tokyo University Graduate Quits 11M Yen Investment Banking Job to Start Embroidery Brand
Bastillepost · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Tanaka Yuki, a 24-year-old Tokyo University graduate, earned 11 million yen annually at a prestigious foreign investment bank, yet the extreme work demands drove him to quit and start a handmade embroidery business. He describes witnessing a colleague being called into a meeting room and instantly losing all system access—a moment that crystallized how easily replaceable even high performers are. Now running his own brand, he values the ability to experience sunlight and seasonal changes over his former six-figure salary.
Key Points
- Tanaka Yuki, a graduate of Tokyo University, joined a foreign investment bank at age 24 with an annual salary of 11 million yen (approximately 540,000 Hong Kong dollars)
- Daily work involved intense overtime, including stints of up to 40 consecutive hours without sleep, leaving him unable to see sunrises or feel seasonal changes
- A witnessing of colleague layoffs—a senior employee was called into a meeting room and lost all system access within seconds—profoundly shook him
- After realizing he was merely a "replaceable cog" regardless of education or performance, he submitted his resignation and founded a handmade embroidery brand
- While his new venture brings different pressures as the sole operator, he can now feel the sunshine and seasonal shifts, which he considers priceless
Why It Matters
This case resonates with Hong Kong professionals trapped in high-pressure industries, highlighting how exceptional salaries often come at the cost of basic human experiences. As competitive work cultures intensify across Asia, Tanaka's story serves as a cautionary tale about trading irreplaceable life moments for financial rewards that can vanish overnight.
This case resonates with Hong Kong professionals trapped in high-pressure industries, highlighting how exceptional salaries often come at the cost of basic human experiences. As competitive work cultures intensify across Asia, Tanaka's story serves as a cautionary tale about trading irreplaceable life moments for financial rewards that can vanish overnight.