PDI’s Matsumura bids sayonara to Saipan

  Pacific Development Inc. president Yoichi Matsumura will soon be joining the ranks of notable Japanese personages in the community who have left Saipan after calling this tiny rock in the Pacific their home for decades.

A native of Osaka, Japan, Matsumura is scheduled to fly back to Tokyo on Feb. 24 after almost three decades of assimilating into an islander’s way of life and becoming a favorite among the locals who have considered him one of their own.

In an interview Friday at the Hafadau Beach Hotel, home to the main office of PDI which mainly caters to the travel arrangement needs of its clientele, Matsumura said he will continue to serve in the tourism industry by working in the overseas department of Kinki Nippon Tourist Co. Ltd. or KNT.

Matsumura’s 27 years of experience at PDI, a subsidiary of KNT, will prove to be invaluable as he takes on his new venture which, hopefully, would include promoting the CNMI as a destinations to their Japanese customers.

Matsumura revealed how he is having “mixed feelings” about saying sayonara to the Commonwealth.

“I don’t want to leave because I really like this island and the people here. I like my staff, who is like a family. That’s why it’s really hard for me to go back to Japan where I only had eight years of work experience,” he told Saipan Tribune.

Matsumura, who became the eighth president of PDI about five years ago, talked about what he will miss about the island where he spent half of his life.

“I enjoy my relationship working with people here. It’s a small island; everybody knows each other. I will miss everything not just Saipan but the entire CNMI,” said Matsumura, 53.

He gives credit to all PDI staff past and present, who trained him to become better in his profession. From over 100 employees, Matsumura now only has about eight staffers under him.

“They are the foundation of the company, that’s why I don’t have to worry. My replacement is also coming and I’m very much comfortable with that. As long as the people will stay, there’s nothing for him to worry because they’re easy to manage. They know their responsibilities and they know what to do,” said Matsumura.

His replacement, Tomie Takahiro, will be officially introduced to the community during Matsumura’s “see you again” party-not farewell “because otherwise, I cannot come back,” said Matsumura, who expressed every intention of going back to the island which he has called home.

Matsumura’s time in the Commonwealth was not devoted entirely to work alone. He became actively involved in the community, volunteering his time in different organizations and serving under different capacities.

Matsumura became vice chair of the Japan Saipan Travel Association from 1999 to 2003, currently the board treasurer of the Marianas Visitors Authority, a member of the Marianas Tourism Education Council since 2002, a member of the Japanese Society of the Northern Marianas and the Saipan Rotary Club, a board of director of the Northern Marianas College Foundation since 2004, vice president of the Marianas Walking Association, and an advisor for Team PDI, a non-profit group founded by individuals who believe in extending monitory and in-kind contributions to those in need of support.

Matsumura gladly accepted membership invitations from these organizations because he deems himself a “bridge” that would foster the good relationship between Japan and the CNMI. He also takes pride in having established a relationship with Chinese, Korean, and U.S. markets.

PDI director Gordon Marciano, who has worked with Matsumura since the late ’80s, said he sees Matsumura’s new role with KNT means a new venture for the CNMI’s tourism industry. “He’s been with us for so long that I know that we will maintain communication with him,” he said.

Marciano described Matsumura as that person “who’s always pushing the tourism industry” and works with local radio station KKMP as he believes in the important role of the radio in promoting the islands.

Matsumura’s important lessons, Marciano said, are to remember that CNMI has all the natural resources it needs to be a popular tourist destination and that there is a constant need to bring in new attractions via air, land, and sea so that visitors are encouraged to come back for more island experience.

“He always tells me, nothing is impossible,” added Marciano.

Matsumura said he is excited to be outside of the CNMI looking in to enable him to think of better ways to promote the Commonwealth.

“I only see from here to Japan. I don’t see from Japan to here, which makes the big difference. It’s a new challenge but I know CNMI more than anybody else in Japan that’s why it’s a good opportunity,” he said.

Matsumura added, “I really appreciate the CNMI and PDI for giving me an opportunity to challenge a lot of things. My goal is to get new experience in Japan and help CNMI. To do it quickly will be impossible but I will do it.”

Matsumura’s popularity is evident in the number of parties that will be hosted for him. But PDI will be hosting the main party for Matsumura on Feb. 15 at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Hibiscus Hall.

Those who are interested to attend the party and belong to organizations may RSVP with their respective coordinators. Non-members are asked to confirm attendance and pay the entrance fee on or before Feb. 10 by calling Marciano at 287-1195 or PDI’s Ruby Acosta at 322-8786.