#Japan #Nagoya #KUROFUNE #Yoake #Nagono Campus

KUROFUNE Launches Lunch Subsidy Program at Yoake Café

KUROFUNE, a company dedicated to supporting foreign residents in Japan, recently introduced an innovative lunch subsidy program for its employees at the Yoake Café within the Nagono Campus. This initiative not only boosts productivity by encouraging employees to enjoy nutritious lunches but also fosters camaraderie among staff through shared meals.

The main office of KUROFUNE is located at the historical site of the former Nagono Elementary School, which has been transformed into the vibrant Nagono Campus. This area lies close to the Nagoya Station and serves as a hub for various startups and entrepreneurs, promoting collaboration among different businesses and local residents. It cultivates a rich atmosphere for networking and cultural exchange.

Yoake, the café situated on the ground floor of the Nagono Campus, has been converted from a former school cafeteria into a modern eatery. The café's mission is to create a welcoming space for people to gather. It offers a menu filled with health-conscious meals such as the popular keema curry, weekly meat lunch specials, seasoned rice dishes, and a Japanese-style Neapolitan pasta made with miso.

The lunch subsidy program is part of a broader initiative at the Nagono Campus to encourage collaboration among resident companies. Notably, there have been instances where KUROFUNE has facilitated the hiring of talent at Yoake, demonstrating the synergy fostered within the campus.

KUROFUNE aims to continue promoting an environment that is conducive to work-life balance and healthy living, expanding these efforts into more sectors and regions. Their mission is to create a work-friendly society in which everyone feels comfortable and secure.

Insights from Yoake and Nagono Campus Producers

The team at Yoake, who opened the café simultaneously with the launch of the Nagono Campus, has seen a growing public recognition due to its unique environment and appealing design. This has led to an increased flow of customers who appreciate the thoughtful concept behind the café’s establishment. However, the collaborative experiences among tenants have been somewhat limited until now. By harnessing the power of “food,” as a means to support team building and community engagement, Yoake is committed to contributing to a joyful atmosphere for all.

Mako Aou, the producer of the Nagono Campus, expresses gratitude towards the collaborative efforts between KUROFUNE and Yoake, stating it embodies the campus motto, “Open, Mix, and Emerge.” Watching companies within the campus engage naturally and prioritize employee well-being is incredibly rewarding. She emphasizes a commitment to support a culture that promotes the hiring and thriving of global talent, showcasing KUROFUNE's direct involvement in facilitating hiring at Yoake. Events like these highlight the importance of mutual support among tenants to address common challenges and illustrate the campus’s mission of “emergence.”

As workplaces evolve, it is essential to foster an environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures can collaborate. KUROFUNE aims to continue building an ecosystem that inspires startups and entrepreneurs to explore and innovate freely within their communities.

About KUROFUNE

Founded in February 2018, KUROFUNE is a company focused on providing employment and lifestyle support to foreign residents in Japan. The company aims to create a society where individuals from abroad can work and live as comfortably as in their home countries. Currently, KUROFUNE operates two applications designed to assist foreigners with their job search and integration into Japanese society: the