#Japan #Tokyo #Trustyyle #Ageism #Project MINT

Event Report: Overcoming the Age Barrier in the Workplace

On August 27, 2025, Trustyyle, led by CEO Yosuke Yoshida, hosted an insightful event titled "Overcoming the Age Barrier: Creating Multi-Generational Workplaces — A Focus on Ageism as an Unconscious Bias" at the Human Resource Library in Chuo City, Tokyo. The event aimed to address the pressing issue of ageism within organizational settings, offering valuable insights and strategies for fostering a more inclusive workplace across age groups.

Background and Purpose

In recent years, the global push for Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) has focused on gender and racial biases, but age-related unconscious bias, or ageism, often goes unnoticed. As we all grow older, statements like “It’s too early for the young” or “The older generation can’t adapt to new things” seep into workplace conversations, highlighting deep-seated biases. The WHO has warned that ageism severely impacts individual health, happiness, and economic participation, prompting leading companies in Europe and America to address this systemic bias alongside gender and racial discrimination.

This event was designed to shift the perspective on ageism in Japan, encouraging dialogue among human resource professionals on how to identify and combat these biases within their organizations.

Event Overview

The event featured engaging workshops led by CEO Tomoe Ueyama of Project MINT, a leader in ageism advocacy and education. Participants explored their unconscious biases regarding age and developed action plans to address them within their workplaces. These workshops facilitated lively discussions, allowing attendees to share experiences and strategies while visualizing the hidden age biases within their companies.

The event took place in a dynamic community setting, promoting collaboration among attendees from various sectors.

Feedback from Participants

Post-event surveys indicated that many participants gained new insights and valued the opportunity to critically examine age bias. Here are some notable comments:

• - “I realized I hold more ageist views than I imagined.”
• - “This was my first event focused on age, and it was incredibly engaging!”
• - “I want to bring these insights back to my company and initiate discussions.”
• - “I was pleased to discover that I’m not alone in my feelings about ageism.”
• - “This has sparked a sense that we may be limiting individual potential.”

Notable Speaker Profile

Tomoe Ueyama is the founder of Project MINT and the first Japanese graduate of Minerva University. With a background in educational technology and extensive experience in diverse organizational contexts, Ueyama has worked passionately on leadership development free from age-based stereotypes. Her commitment to fostering a society where individuals are not hindered by age biases can be felt in her work promoting awareness and dialogue.

Overview of Project MINT

Project MINT is an educational initiative aimed at helping adults reconstruct their careers and lives around the principles of Meaning, Ikigai, Network, and Transform. Founded by the first Japanese graduate of the prestigious Minerva University and a former professor of the institution, it has empowered over 200 participants to pursue their life purposes without being restricted by age or status.

Outcomes and Future Prospects

The event proved to be a crucial step in addressing the often-overlooked issue of ageism, allowing attendees to view it as a vital organizational challenge. By visualizing age-related biases and engaging in practical workshops, participants left with actionable insights to foster multi-generational workplaces. Furthermore, the event created a valuable networking platform for HR professionals concerned with shared challenges and insights across company lines.

The Human Resource Library aims to continue hosting impactful events addressing contemporary themes in HR and general societal issues. Future event themes and dates will be announced on the official website and social media channels, so stay tuned!

About the Human Resource Library

Opened on April 1, 2024, in Tokyo's Ningyocho, the Human Resource Library serves as both a co-working space and a community hub for HR professionals, housing over 2,500 HR-related books. The motto, “Unlocking the Future through Learning with Peers,” embodies its mission to foster continuous learning and collaboration.

Location: Chuo City, Tokyo, Japan
Website: hr-library.jp
Twitter: @hr_library0401
LinkedIn: HR Library