#Japan #Tokyo #Community Development #Seed Planning #Senior Employment

Free Information Exchange Meeting on November 17

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is set to host a significant event aimed at bolstering employment opportunities for seniors across local communities. This information exchange meeting, titled "Considering Sustainable and Continuous Activities of the Council," will take place on November 17, 2025, at the headquarters of Seed Planning, located in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo.

As part of the initiatives under the "Lifelong Active Region Development Environment Improvement Project," this gathering seeks to facilitate discussions and knowledge sharing among various councils engaged in fostering employment for the elderly. The event is designed for both in-person and online participants, ensuring accessibility to all interested stakeholders.

Objectives of the Meeting

The primary purpose of this information exchange meeting is to allow councils involved in the project to come together and share valuable insights and experiences. Keynote speeches from experts in the field will set the stage for deeper discussions on sustainable business strategies that focus on employing seniors. Topics will include business development opportunities for hiring older adults, as well as strategies for securing funding to sustain ongoing projects.

Schedule of Events

• - Opening Speech: 1:00 PM
• - Keynote Speech 1: 1:05 PM

- Speaker: Mitsuru Okuma, CEO of Ukihano Takara Co., Ltd.
- Topic: The "Granny Business" model established in Ukiha City, Fukuoka, which allows women over 75 to create opportunities and promote active engagement in the workforce.

• - Keynote Speech 2: 1:50 PM

- Speaker: Kazuhiro Kutsuma, President of the Japan Community Fundraising Network (COMMNET).
- Topic: Strategies for achieving welfare without financial barriers, focusing on integrating business approaches with social contributions within the welfare sector.

• - Case Presentations: 2:35 PM – 3:15 PM

- Presentation from the Obihiro Regional Employment Promotion Council, Hokkaido
- Presentation from the Shizuoka City Committee for Promoting Active Participation of All Citizens, Shizuoka Prefecture

• - Networking Break: 3:15 PM – 3:25 PM

• - Group Discussion: 3:25 PM – 4:55 PM

• - Closing Administrative Announcements: 4:55 PM
• - Closing Speech: 5:00 PM

Participating in the Event

The event is free of charge, allowing various councils participating in the project to attend in person while individuals outside these councils can participate online. Registration is essential, and those interested can sign up through the following link:
Registration Form

The event promises to be a rich platform for dialogue and exchange, aimed at fostering innovative solutions for enhancing employment opportunities for older adults in Japan. It underscores the importance of creating a sustainable framework for councils engaged in this vital work, ensuring that older individuals have meaningful and continuing roles in the workforce.

Contact Information

For further inquiries, please reach out to the Lifelong Active Community Development Promotion Project office at Seed Planning. The contact details are as follows:

• - Phone: +81 3-3835-9211
• - Email: [email protected]

This event marks a crucial step toward recognizing and harnessing the potential of older individuals within our communities, enabling them to contribute actively to society while ensuring their well-being and dignity.