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Understanding Human Capital Strategies through Men's Care Experiences

The Protean Career Association, located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, aims to foster better relationships between organizations and individuals while supporting proactive career development. On August 30, 2025, the association hosted the "Protean Forum 2025: Generating the Future of Work and Life," one of Japan's largest career events, which attracted over 2,000 participants. The forum invited experts from various fields to discuss organizational and individual challenges from multiple perspectives.

Session Overview

One of the key sessions of the forum, titled "Understanding Human Capital Strategies through Men's Care Experiences: Reconsidering Career Models for Working Men from a Care Perspective," was scheduled for release on November 5, 2025, on YouTube. This session investigates the value of caregiving experiences for men and how these insights can contribute to promoting gender equality and revitalizing organizations.

The session featured Takashi Taga, a professor at Kansai University and co-representative of the Changing Men organization. Alongside him, Minako Shimaya, Hiroko Numata, and Kazuyuki Shoji from the Protean Association's Middle Lab shared their insights on new working styles and life perspectives for men, emphasizing the importance of balancing work and childcare.

The Value of Fatherhood in Career Development

The session posited that re-evaluating men's roles in childcare could accelerate gender equality in workplaces. By prioritizing caregiving, organizations could foster environments where both men and women thrive equally, paving the way for improved human capital strategies. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and challenges as men who care, aiming for richer dialogues in their workplaces.

Furthermore, the significance of investing in human capital was underscored. In light of the continuous evolution in work genders, organizations must adapt strategies that embrace diverse roles, especially in nurturing environments where both genders can share caregiving responsibilities.

Future Initiatives by the Protean Association

The caregiving lab will continue to generate columns and organize events that focus on such crucial themes, collaborating with various stakeholders to ensure pertinent dialogues continue. With this initiative, the Protean Association aims to create valuable connections and support networks among members engaged in caregiving discussions.

Overview of Protean Forum 2025

The Protean Forum 2025 convened on August 30, 2025, focusing on building better relationships between organizations and individuals. The event featured speakers from diverse sectors such as corporate HR, education, government, and startups. They discussed contemporary topics, including "Career in the Age of AI," "Human Capital Management," and "Career Ownership," challenging attendees to rethink traditional career trajectories.

If you're interested in this archived session or others from the forum, you can view them for free without needing to input personal information at this link.

Conclusion

As organizations and individuals navigate the complexities of the modern workplace, discussions around men's caregiving experiences take center stage in fostering gender equality and enhancing human capital strategies. Through forums such as this, the Protean Association not only highlights emerging themes but also cultivates a culture of openness and reflection, essential for the careers of all individuals in today’s evolving work environment.