#Japan #Tokyo #Okamotoya #ISO25554 #WellbeingISO

Okamotoya Achieves Level 2 ISO25554:2024 Certification

In 2015, Okamotoya posed a significant question: "What does it mean for employees to truly work in a joyful environment?" This quest led to a decade-long journey that culminated in 2026 with an international recognition. The company, headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, led by President Mikiko Suzuki, has recently earned Level 2 certification in the International Standard ISO25554:2024, specifically the Wellbeing ISO Guidelines Certification. This acknowledges our purpose, "Supporting Workers," and reflects our continuous pursuit of employees' growth and happiness.

Why Aim for ISO Certification?

Since 2015, Okamotoya has been committed to the belief that "Employee Growth Equals Company Growth." This conviction has driven us to engage rigorously in work style reforms, health management, and women’s empowerment. Our purpose, "Supporting Workers," extends beyond customer slogans; it embodies a culture where employees act as each other’s support systems, fostering an environment that cultivates genuine productivity and innovation.

The recently obtained ISO25554:2024 certification presents a new international standard for evaluating organizational wellbeing in an aging society. We aimed for this certification to demonstrate that our long-standing efforts are recognized against global benchmarks and to serve as a model case for wellbeing management in small to medium-sized enterprises.

Achievements Over a Decade

Our meaningful activities have steadily transformed the organization. Below are key achievements spanning from 2015 to 2025:

Initiatives to Foster Wellbeing

At Okamotoya, we champion a culture of active participation through unique wellbeing initiatives which include:

1. Mikata Board and 30 years of Committee Culture: All employees belong to one of several committees, cultivating a horizontal culture across departments for over 30 years. The Mikata Board allows employees to display their aspirations regarding how they wish to support each other, visualizing individual goals and growth.

2. Telephone Shocking: Starting in 2024, we will introduce a live Zoom session each Wednesday during lunch titled "Ignite the Heart!" Here, the CEO and employees engage in free-form discussions about work, careers, hobbies, and values, fostering understanding among less frequently connected staff.

3. Diversity Learning Discussions: We hold bi-annual discussion forums focused on diverse work themes such as paternity leave, caregiving, and freelance opportunities. Sharing lived experiences promotes legislative understanding and cultivates respect for diverse circumstances.

4. Health Management Events: Events aimed at improving breakfast consumption and encouraging physical activity, such as our breakfast gatherings and the walking festival with over 100 participants, enhance health awareness and foster inter-departmental communication.

5. Family Day: We invite employees' families to our office to deepen understanding of our work and the company. Initiated in 2022, this event encourages children and parents to explore company operations while accommodating the schoolwork needs of the children, emphasizing the importance of family wellbeing.

The Evolution of Office Design

Okamotoya’s core business focuses on constructing office spaces. The attainment of the ISO certification is not only a testament to our internal achievements but also enhances our direct offerings to clients. Using insights gained through our live office "Palette" and wellbeing initiatives, we propose innovative space designs that promote mental and physical health based on the principle that "When the office smiles, so do people.".

Our new initiative, Fellne, which integrates gender equality perspectives, has been awarded the Good Design Award, showcasing valuable office environments that contribute to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Future Vision for Wellbeing

Short-Term (Within 1 Year)

We intend to enhance our proposal activities for user-friendly Well-being offices, solidifying employees' self-directed growth objectives.

Mid-Term (Within 3 Years)

We aim to maintain sales at 10 billion yen, further evolve Activity-Based Working (ABW), and increase the number of autonomous employees, establishing our proposal style that emphasizes the office's positive atmosphere.

Long-Term (Within 5 Years)

We aspire to be widely recognized as a company dedicated to creating wellbeing offices, expanding our business scale and fostering three or more employee-led new ventures.

Social Impact

Okamotoya aims to be a role model for work style reform among small to medium-sized enterprises. Our mission includes raising added-value labor productivity above OECD standards and expanding recognition as professionals in establishing wellbeing spaces. We are committed to a range of superior operational initiatives including continuous improvements toward being designated a Health and Productivity Management Organization (Bright 500), achieving ISMS (ISO27001), and earning various certifications that support sustainable management practices. The President, Mikiko Suzuki, is committed to guiding these efforts forward.

About Okamotoya

• - Company Name: Okamotoya Co., Ltd.
• - CEO: Mikiko Suzuki
• - Headquarters: 2-6-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 9F Toranomon Hills Station Tower
• - Established: June 2, 1912
• - Business Areas: Office construction, ICT construction and maintenance services, stationery sales, and printing services.
• - Corporate Website: Okamotoya