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Sunstar's Commitment to Health Management

Sunstar Group, including its Japanese subsidiaries, has received the prestigious designation of "Health Management Excellence Institution (Large Corporations)" from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Health Conference for ten consecutive years. For the fourth straight year, it has also secured a spot in the "White 500," a recognition given to the top 500 companies in the large corporation category for health management.

Philosophy and History
Sunstar was founded in 1963 with the corporate philosophy to "constantly serve the promotion of people's health and the improvement of lifestyle culture." Based on the belief that employees engaged in the health industry themselves should be healthy, the company has vigorously pursued initiatives aimed at promoting employee well-being. One of these key initiatives is the establishment of the "Sunstar Mind-Body Health Dojo" in 1985, which serves as a facility for employee wellness. This facility includes various health guidance programs, comprehensive health check-ups, and dental screenings. Moreover, employees flagged for observation based on their health assessments receive ongoing support from industrial physicians and health nurses, bolstering their health awareness and helping to prevent severe health conditions.

Work-Life Balance Initiatives
Sunstar is also committed to supporting employees' work-life balance, especially in light of new changes in childcare and caregiving laws set to take effect in 2025. They have expanded support systems to better accommodate employees balancing parenting or caregiving responsibilities. For instance, employees with children in elementary school can utilize "Child Nursing Leave" for up to five days a year for one family member and ten days for two or more. For caregiving, short-term leave can be granted regardless of the caregiving condition, allowing for flexible, paid time off even on an hourly basis. Sunstar further provides options for reduced working hours until the child graduates from elementary school, and long-term caregiving leave can be taken for up to 365 days, ensuring a supportive work environment.

Empowering Women Through Health Initiatives
In 2025, Sunstar will celebrate the fourth year of its "Women's Health Seminar" focusing on "Breast Cancer Screening and Genomic Medicine." Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, with rates increasing. However, early detection and treatment have shown significant positive outcomes. This initiative aims to improve understanding of women's health issues and enhance the working environment for female employees.

Encouraging Physical Activity
The company’s "Let's Walk Together" initiative has seen participation soar to over 50%. Utilizing a health management app on smartphones, employees can compete in walking challenges, with participation rates rising to 54%, a 20% increase from the previous term. Collaborating closely with the general affairs department and employee union has strengthened engagement across the workforce, increasing team participation capably from 67 to 96 teams.

About Sunstar's Wellness Facility
The "Sunstar Mind-Body Health Dojo" was established to provide programs focusing on restoring health balance from the perspectives of nutrition, physical well-being, and mental health. It serves as a retreat for employees for training and health guidance. Established in 1985, the facility supports specific health management programs for new hires and employees at various stages of their careers. In response to demand, Sunstar has transitioned some programs online since 2020. Furthermore, since 1988, they have been marketing health foods under the "Health Dojo" brand, leveraging their expertise in health and well-being to benefit not just employees but also customers.

Future Commitment to Employee Health
Through ongoing efforts in health management, Sunstar believes that the health of its employees correlates to organizational growth and the happiness of their families. The company aims to continue adapting to the evolving needs of their workforce while promoting health-oriented initiatives ongoingly.

Conclusion

Sunstar Group's comprehensive approach to employee well-being not only aligns with their core values but also sets a benchmark in corporate health management, striving for a future where health and productivity walk hand in hand.