#Japan #Fukuoka #Imajina #OJT #DXPO Fukuoka

Understanding Organizational Challenges in Japan's Companies

At the recently held DXPO Fukuoka '25 from October 28 to 31 at Marine Messe Fukuoka, Imajina—a company dedicated to corporate branding, organizational development, and human resource development—conducted a survey among 554 participants, including business leaders and managers. The results revealed significant obstacles that many organizations face. Despite advancing digital transformation (DX), issues such as the personalization of on-the-job training (OJT) and inadequate post-hiring support have emerged as critical challenges.

Key Findings

1. Insufficient Post-Hiring Support as the Biggest Challenge

According to the survey, the most pressing issue identified was a lack of adequate support after hiring, with 29.4% of respondents citing it as a major concern. This surpassed other issues such as the absence of role models for young employees (23.9%) and low retention rates post-hire (14.7%). Furthermore, when asked about challenges encountered in OJT, 41.8% of participants emphasized non-uniform teaching methods and a lack of structured learning, indicating that training often relies unduly on the individual skills of managers.

This pattern suggests that many organizations struggle with establishing systematic processes from recruitment to training, making this a significant organizational dilemma.

2. Young Employee Development Needs Focus on 'Human Skills'

When it comes to the support needed for nurturing young employees, the survey revealed a compelling demand for education focused on enhancing 'human skills' such as gratitude and a learning attitude, garnering 31.6% of total responses. This aligns closely with the top reasons for young employee turnover, notably the dynamics between subordinates and supervisors (33.3%) being as significant as the mismatch between their roles and job expectations (33.3%). Even within a digital exhibition like DXPO, the prevailing support demanded by managers revolves around cultivating human connection and relationships, underscoring the foundational importance of education and interpersonal skills for sustained organizational growth.

3. The Essential Role of Listening Skills Over 'Grit' in Sales Performance

The inquiry regarding sales improvement highlighted the utmost importance of listening and understanding abilities, receiving 29.4% of responses. Comparatively, aspects like maintaining motivation through clear goal-setting (12.7%) and individual revenue awareness (11.9%) were mentioned much less frequently. This suggests that modern sales success is predicated more on understanding client needs effectively rather than on traditional sales instincts. Furthermore, the study indicated that operational elements such as response speed and internal communication are essential supports for effective sales strategies.

4. Ideals are Discussed but Not Practiced

Another significant finding was the disconnection between expressed corporate ideals and real-world application. While respondents acknowledged the necessity of leadership in communicating corporate values, the practical application (i.e., using these values as judgment criteria) appears lacking. Only 16.7% stated that they utilize company ideals in performance appraisals, with 44.4% relying on operational rules instead. This dichotomy highlights a systemic issue where a company’s core values remain theoretical and uninvolved in daily business decisions.

Comments from Yoshiki Sekino, President of Imajina

Commenting on the survey outcomes, Yosiki Sekino articulated that the concerns revealed during DXPO Fukuoka'25 reflect the genuine challenges faced by executives and managers in Kyushu. Despite the prevailing focus on digitalization and AI, the findings emphasized a greater need for fostering 'human skills' and highlighted the criticality of listening skills in sales outcomes. The results corroborate Imajina's long-held belief in the essential balance of education and systematic approaches as safeguards for organizational development.

Conclusion

The challenges of personalizing OJT and the lack of post-hiring support illuminate how deficiencies in systems can undermine educational opportunities. Imajina is committed to addressing these organizational challenges with strategies focused on enhancing both education and structural systems, thereby bolstering sustained corporate growth.

Survey Overview

• - Survey Name: DXPO Fukuoka'25 Attendee Survey
• - Survey Duration: October 28 - 31, 2025
• - Location: DXPO Fukuoka'25 (Marine Messe Fukuoka) at the Imajina booth
• - Participants: Executives and managers who visited the booth
• - Valid Responses: 554
• - Survey Method: Sticker-based questionnaire

About Imajina

Imajina is a branding company dedicated to creating a society where investing in human resources is standard practice. They provide comprehensive support in inner branding and outer branding to ensure that organizations convey their values effectively to both internal and external audiences.

Contact Information:
Imajina, Attn: Minami Aoe
Phone: 03-3511-5525
Fax: 03-3511-8228
Email: [email protected]
Website: Imajina Official Site