#Japan #Imajina #Yamanashi #Three-Up Management

Transforming Wage Increases into Strategic Investments

On February 26, 2026, a special seminar titled "Survival Strategies in the Wage Increase Era: Transforming 'Human Investment' into 'High Profitability' Through Three-Up Management" was held at the Yamanashi Prefectural Library. Organized by Yamanashi Prefecture and Imajina Co., Ltd. (represented by President Yoshiki Sekino), the event attracted approximately 150 business leaders, exceeding the initial capacity of 100. Participants came from various sectors, including manufacturing, tourism, healthcare, NPOs, and government entities. The seminar was pivotal, as it centered around the "Three-Up Practical Certification System" promoted by Yamanashi Prefecture, aiming to shift local companies' rising labor costs into sustainable growth opportunities. This report outlines the significant insights shared during the seminar, particularly focused on the tangible know-how that was revealed to help businesses translate declarations into actionable practices after the system unification scheduled for September this year.

Overcoming the Challenges Faced by Local Businesses in 2026

In today's climate of labor shortages and impending mandatory disclosure of gender wage gaps set for April 2026, business management is at a critical turning point. In response, Yamanashi Prefecture's Three-Up Practical Certification System is not just about promoting wage increases; it represents a holistic approach where "Skill Up (Education)," "Profit Up (Value-Addition)," and "Wage Up (Redistribution)" work together as a survival strategy for enterprises. With roughly 1,000 companies already certified in Yamanashi, the system, under the leadership of Governor Koutaro Nagasaki, has transitioned from "declaration" to "certification," ushering in a new phase that demands effective practical transformations within organizations.

Ending the 'Punishment Game' of Management Positions

Yoshiki Sekino, the president of Imajina, was the main speaker at the seminar. Drawing from his experience with over 3,000 branding projects, he highlighted significant structural defects within Japanese companies. One of his critical observations that resonated strongly with participants was the concept of "playing managers" causing young employees to leave their jobs (a phenomenon he refers to as 'white resignation'). Sekino defined the essence of branding as altering employees' perceptions and behaviors, advocating for a transformation of managers from mere overseers to educators who lead brand initiatives. He emphasized the importance of "strategic communication" to visualize human capital and present it effectively to investors and society alike.

Bonding Across Industries for Shared Growth

A remarkable aspect of this seminar was the diverse range of attendees, including administrators, NPO representatives, and restaurant and dental clinic owners. This diversity underscores that "human resource development" is a common and urgent issue across all sectors. The collaboration with local trust foundations such as Yamanashi Chuo Bank and the Yamanashi Federation of Societies for Commerce and Industry lays the groundwork for a regional mindset focused on aggressive talent development, enhancing awareness throughout the prefecture.

Building a Sustainable Learning Platform: Yamanashi Career-Up University (CUU)

As the event concluded, a strategic exit plan was presented to ensure that the learning from the seminar translates into concrete outcomes. The Yamanashi Prefecture operates a platform called Yamanashi Career-Up University (CUU), which, starting in 2027, will roll out 18 courses directly addressing on-ground issues, including communication skills for subordinates, design thinking, and executive development. Each participant will be paired with a coordinator to assist in applying their newly acquired skills in their respective workplaces. Companies certified under the system can utilize CUU to accrue benefits such as an elevation to "premium certification" and maximization of subsidy and financial support.

Looking Ahead

Following this seminar, Imajina is committed to robustly backing the qualitative transformation of 1,000 certified companies. The aim is to elevate the "Three-Up" model from local endeavors into a national standard of revitalization for the Japanese economy.

Contact Information

For inquiries regarding this matter, please reach out to:
Imajina Co., Ltd.
Contact Person: Minami Aoe
TEL: 03-3511-5525
Email: [email protected]
URL: https://www.imajina.com/