Human Resources Development
Being the Only One Pushes Me to Give It All I’ve Got
I was seconded to Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd. in March 2026 from Perodua, in Malaysia. As an overseas member of the Daihatsu Group, Perodua is responsible for vehicle development and manufacturing. When I learned that I would be working in Japan, I felt both honored and deeply grateful. Daihatsu’s Intellectual Property Division possesses extensive expertise in patents and designs. Having the opportunity to learn through hands-on experience in that environment is incredibly valuable to me.
Because I am the only employee seconded from Perodua and the first ICT member to join the Intellectual Property Department in this way, there were times I wondered whether I was really the right person for the role. Even so, I now see it positively. Being the only one motivates me to work harder than ever. I joined Perodua in 2022. At first, I was involved in training for CATIA2, the 3D CAD software used in vehicle design, and was responsible for creating manuals and training new employees. Then, in 2023, a new Intellectual Property Group was established, and I transferred into the team. At the time, I had very little knowledge or experience in intellectual property. This assignment has become a tremendous opportunity for me to learn the fundamentals of intellectual property, both in theory and in practice.
2. CATIA: A 3D CAD software platform used for product design, including automotive development (developed by France’s Dassault Systèmes)
Discovering the Broad Scope of Intellectual Property Work
At Perodua, my work had primarily focused on filing and maintaining design registrations. At the same time, Perodua also had its own research and development capabilities. As local development activities continue to expand, it will become increasingly important to identify inventions created through that work and protect them appropriately. That is why one of my main goals during this assignment is to deepen my understanding of patents.
One thing that has particularly impressed me at Daihatsu is how early intellectual property activities become involved in the development process. Before coming here, I tended to think of intellectual property primarily as work related to filing applications. At Daihatsu, however, the IP team works closely with the Engineering Division to identify the key elements of an invention and confirm that the technology does not infringe on third-party patents, helping support development from an early stage. I have come to realize that intellectual property is not simply about filing applications. It is about becoming involved early enough to help development move forward with confidence.
Working Closely with Engineers to Discover Inventions Hidden Within Development
At Daihatsu, the Intellectual Property Division and Engineering Division work in close communication from the early stages of development as part of the patent process. One of the most important things I am learning here is that intellectual property work does not happen in isolation. It involves working directly with engineers and viewing the technologies being developed through an IP lens.
For example, during kickoff meetings with the Engineering Division, we first introduce ourselves and discuss the types of development work underway, as well as how the team plans to approach patent applications during the fiscal year. There may be patent filing targets, but simply setting a target does not automatically generate inventions. It is necessary to have ongoing discussions with engineers to identify where the truly inventive elements lie.
Through patent review meetings and other discussions, we continue learning about the technologies engineers are developing and explore what kinds of inventions may be suitable for protection. Rather than simply imposing numerical targets, the goal is to encourage engineers themselves to think about what inventions may emerge from their own development work. The role of the Intellectual Property Division is to support that process. That is exactly the approach I am learning now.
At Perodua, there have been situations where patentrelated matters were handled primarily by Daihatsu. As local development activities continue to expand, it will become increasingly important for Perodua to incorporate intellectual property considerations into its own project activities. One of my goals when I return to Perodua is to apply what I have learned about collaborating with the Engineering Division, strengthen communication between the intellectual property and engineering teams there, and create an environment where Perodua engineers can proactively propose and contribute new inventions within their development projects.
Building Patent Search Experience to Support Development Projects
Right now, the area I am focusing on most is patent searching and analysis. Whenever a new technology emerges, patent research is essential for determining whether it may be patentable and whether it could potentially infringe on the rights of others.
If patent-related issues are discovered after development has progressed significantly, they can have a major impact on commercialization. That is why Daihatsu conducts IP reviews at key project milestones to determine whether development can continue without any issues. I have come to understand that these reviews are not intended to slow development down, but rather to help it move forward with confidence.
When conducting a search, we create search criteria using classifications and keywords based on technology brought to us by an engineer for consultation. The results can vary significantly depending on which classifications are included and which keywords are selected. After completing the search, we screen the results to separate relevant documents from irrelevant ones, then work with engineers to narrow the list down to the most pertinent references.
Narrowing down search results is often one of the most difficult parts of the process. Because patent rights are defined through language, there are often situations where interpretation is not straightforward. Patent documents also contain a great deal of specialized terminology and technical language, making accurate comprehension essential. There are also times when the perspectives of engineers and intellectual property professionals do not immediately align. That is why I believe it is so important to gather the necessary information from engineers, clarify any uncertainties, and carefully evaluate each issue one step at a time.
Search tools continue to evolve, and there are now areas where AI can be effectively utilized. However, understanding the technology itself, constructing effective search strategies, and evaluating the results are skills that people develop through experience. There are times when I feel I cannot fully express my thoughts in Japanese, but my immediate goal is to strengthen my patent search skills and aim to become an intellectual property professional who can effectively support development activities.
Bringing What I’ve Learned Back Home and Becoming a Bridge Between Perodua and Daihatsu
Perodua’s intellectual property group is still a relatively new organization. That is why I want to take the knowledge and experience I gain at Daihatsu back with me and share it through real projects when I return to Perodua.
What does an effective intellectual property activity look like? How should we communicate with the Engineering Division? What kinds of rules, standards, and guidelines are needed? I would like to address each of these questions one by one and strengthen Perodua’s IP activities in a way that fits the company’s own circumstances and needs.
Right now, I am in the position of learning from Daihatsu as a secondee from Perodua. In the future, however, I hope we can exchange ideas as peers, discussing topics such as “This is how we do things at Perodua,” and “This is how Daihatsu approaches the same work.” I believe that kind of relationship would help both organizations improve the way they work.
To make that possible, I first need to develop a solid understanding of intellectual property work myself. My goal is to become a point of connection between Perodua and Daihatsu, someone who can serve as a bridge between the two organizations. By making the most of every experience, I hope to help establish a strong intellectual property culture at Perodua and contribute to strengthening the IP capabilities of the entire Daihatsu Group.