#Japan #Emotional Intelligence #Brain Science #Imajina #Kofu

Tackling Labor Shortages in Yamanashi with Neuroscience

On June 29, 2026, Imajina hosted an impactful seminar in Kofu City, Yamanashi, aimed at addressing the region's pressing labor shortage issues. With a rich history of supporting over 3,000 companies in branding, Imajina introduced unique methodologies centered on 'Contributive EQ' to prevent young professionals from leaving their jobs and to significantly boost organizational productivity.

The Urgent Social Context: Beyond Wage Increases

Yamanashi's local economy faces an unprecedented crisis of labor shortages. Recent studies show that 48.5% of businesses in the region are experiencing a severe shortage of full-time employees. In construction, over 90% of companies reported chronic staffing issues. While many businesses are racing to secure talent through wage increases, smaller local firms struggle against larger corporations, leading to insufficient and superficial solutions. A more pressing issue lies in the declining motivation of younger employees and a lack of workplace morale.

Data from various surveys illustrate the current state of labor psychology in Japan:

• - Approximately 83% of young workers express no desire to pursue management positions in the future.
• - Japan ranks at the bottom among 142 nations regarding empathetic behavior, with only 12% of individuals reporting they have helped others recently.
• - The prevalence of fake news and the heightened desire for approval, exacerbated by social media, has negative effects on brain development and contributes to rising mental health issues.

To combat the phenomenon of 'white resignations'—where employees leave out of dissatisfaction despite having no particular complaints—organizations must undertake a fundamental awareness shift. It is essential to instill a deeper understanding among employees about how their work contributes to society.

Seminar Highlights: Blueprint for Winning Organizations Based on Brain Science

During the seminar, Imajina CEO Yoshinori Sekino presented a scientific approach to organizational transformation, devoid of mere inspirational rhetoric. The seminar focused on three core concepts:

1. Cultivating 'Contributive EQ'

Research from institutions like Harvard University indicates that success in the workplace is determined by 90% emotional intelligence (EQ) rather than IQ or business skills. In medical settings, for example, doctors with low EQ have been proven to have higher rates of misdiagnosis and lower healing rates. Imajina employs the theory from Pennsylvania University's organizational psychology, which argues that those who adopt a mentality of giving are likely to succeed, promoting the development of ‘contributive morality.’ This approach has proven to double organizational engagement and quintuple results.

2. Breaking Cognitive Bias through Media Literacy Education

Human brains tend to focus only on what they wish to see, leading to significant cognitive bias. The seminar emphasized the importance of letting go of outdated successes and developing 'intellectual humility' to critically assess information. This fundamental media literacy education is portrayed as essential for growth as professionals.

3. Visualization and Structuring Information Through Cambridge Assessments

Moving away from subjective feelings toward logical data-driven insights, the seminar introduced an advanced psychological assessment method from Cambridge University. This protocol allows businesses to quantitatively analyze individual patterns of thought, EQ scores, and compatibility with superiors, forming customized growth roadmaps for each employee. Given that humans forget 74% of learned content within a day, operationalizing this framework into daily tasks is crucial.

Future Outlook: A Movement for Human Capital Management Starting in Yamanashi

Feedback from the seminar attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many leaders expressing a newfound awareness of foundational management errors. Following this event, Imajina plans to intensify efforts to promote human capital management throughout Yamanashi. From July 20 to July 23, 2026, a dedicated workshop for young professionals under 24, the 'U24 Yamanashi Governor Ambassadors Camp on Contributive EQ,' will take place in Chuo City, with Governor Kota Nagasaki attending to present acknowledgment certificates to participating next-generation leaders.

Imajina strives to harness world-class assessment tools and innovative internal branding theories to help local companies bolster their appeal while contributing to Japan's societal growth and regional revitalization.

About Imajina

Imajina operates under the belief that 'brands are created by the employees who work there,' specializing in organizational transformation and personnel development through internal branding. With over 3,000 successful implementations across a diverse range of sectors—including manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and municipalities— Imajina offers distinctive methodologies to instill corporate values internally.

For more information, visit Imajina's Official Site.

Contact Information:
担当：美波 青江
TEL: 03-3511-5525
FAX: 03-3511-8228
MAIL: [email protected]