Yamashita Joins the Ikuboss Alliance to Reform Working Styles

Yamashita Takes a Step Towards Work-Life Balance

Yamashita Co., Ltd., based in Shizuoka Prefecture, has officially joined the "Ikuboss Alliance," an initiative championed by the non-profit organization Fathering Japan. This milestone was reached on October 23, 2025, with a signing ceremony held on January 7, 2026. The project advocates for workplace leaders, or "Ikubosses," who prioritize their team's work-life balance while simultaneously achieving organizational goals.

What is an Ikuboss?

An "Ikuboss" is a proactive manager who considers the work-life balance of their subordinates. They support their career development and personal lives while enjoying their own work and life as well. The Ikuboss Alliance aims to encourage companies to adopt this approach, ensuring diverse management practices and enhancing the overall workplace environment.

Objectives of the Ikuboss Alliance

Organizations that wish to join the Ikuboss Alliance must meet specific criteria, including:
1. Commitment to promoting diversity in management.
2. Exploration of reforms in management attitudes and work practices.
3. Understanding and commitment from top executives regarding these changes as part of their management strategy.

Background of Participation

Yamashita is dedicated to creating a work environment where every employee can perform their best while balancing personal life events and work responsibilities. In recent years, the significance of varied working styles—including child-rearing leave—has escalated, and there is an increasing demand for effective management approaches in corporations. Recognizing this societal shift, Yamashita resonates with the Ikuboss philosophy, leading to their decision to join the alliance. The company aims to enhance understanding across all employees regarding the importance of work-life balance and actively support initiatives addressing challenges associated with childcare.

Signing Ceremony Details

The signing ceremony took place at Yamashita's Tokyo headquarters and was attended by key representatives, including Yuki Yamashita, Executive Director of Human Resources, and Mami Kusatani, Head of the Accounting Department and advisor for the Women's Empowerment Project.

Leadership Comments

Yuki Yamashita expressed the necessity for both male and female employees to thrive within the organization, emphasizing the launch of the Women’s Empowerment Project in 2023. He articulated a vision where employees can shape their careers while fostering an inclusive and flexible working culture in collaboration with management. By joining the Ikuboss Alliance, Yamashita aims to gather valuable insights and examples that will lead to further improvement of work experiences for employees and, consequently, enhanced customer experiences (CX).

Previous Initiatives

Yamashita has already taken steps toward promoting the Ikuboss concept by holding eight “Ikuboss Roundtables” for sales managers, where around 55 participants engaged in discussions. These roundtables focused on understanding the necessity of Ikubosses, sharing experiences of those who have taken parental leave, and brainstorming actionable items that can be adopted in daily operations. Participants concluded the events by publicizing their own "Ikuboss Declaration" within the firm to foster accountability.

About Yamashita Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1963, Yamashita has established itself as a leading provider in both the linen supply and caregiving products rental sectors. The company's philosophy revolves around living correctly and abundantly, aiming to achieve significant revenue growth by 2030, with a target of 85 billion yen. The firm is also focused on digital transformation (DX), leveraging technology alongside existing business operations to enhance service quality and productivity. Yamashita is poised to challenge industry boundaries and aims for non-linear growth, targeting a revenue of 1 trillion yen by 2050.

Company Information:

- Headquarters: Nakagawa 737, Shimada City, Shizuoka Prefecture
- Tokyo Office: 15-3 Konan 2-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Shinagawa Intercity C Building, 8th Floor
- Established: March 6, 1963
- CEO: Kazuhiko Yamashita
- Business Areas: Caregiving products rental and sales, home care support services, linen supply, etc.
- Revenue: 30.38 billion yen (for the fiscal year ending March 2024)
- Employees: 2,586 (as of end of March 2024)