#Japan #Health Management #Employee Wellness #Shinjuku #Walks Inc

Walks Launches New Services for Health Management Recognition

In response to Japan's declining population and labor shortages, Walks Inc., located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, has begun offering services aimed at helping companies obtain and improve their Health Management Recognition. This initiative aims to enhance the value of human capital through health management, ultimately contributing to sustainable corporate growth.

Health Management as an Investment, Not a Cost

Health management is increasingly seen as a key component of corporate strategy rather than just a cost tied to employee benefits. Studies from the United States indicate that for every dollar invested in health initiatives, there is a return of approximately three dollars. This investment not only boosts productivity but also signifies a shift in how companies view their workforce wellbeing.

In the athletic world, managing lifestyle factors such as diet, sleep, and conditioning has long been recognized as crucial for peak performance. Similarly, for organizations, managing employee wellbeing has a significant impact on overall success. Companies are moving towards a paradigm that necessitates collective responsibility for health management rather than leaving it to individual discretion.

Health Management Recognition Overview

The Health Management Recognition system, promoted by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Japan Health Conference, evaluates and recognizes companies that strategically implement programs aimed at improving and maintaining employee health. Initiatives such as providing exercise opportunities, promoting healthier eating habits, addressing mental health, and correcting long working hours are assessed, with successful certification anticipated to enhance corporate value, improve hiring capabilities, and increase employee retention rates.

Emphasizing Productivity Over Hiring

Japan is poised to face an ongoing, structural labor shortage in the coming years. According to estimates from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the National Institute of Population and Social Security Research, the working-age population (aged 15 to 64) peaked at approximately 87 million in 1995 and is projected to shrink to about 60 million by 2040. Moreover, analysis from the Ministry of Economy indicates that losses incurred from presenteeism—being present at work but less productive—exceed those associated with absenteeism, representing a significant challenge for companies.

Chronic issues like shoulder pain, lower back pain, and sleep deprivation adversely affect focus and judgment, reducing productivity in profound yet often unnoticed ways. As businesses move forward, maximizing individual performance rather than merely increasing hiring numbers is crucial.

Comprehensive Support for Health Management Recognition

Walks Inc. offers comprehensive support for companies aiming to achieve and improve their Health Management Recognition. The company provides thorough assistance from current status analysis and program design to practical implementation and operational improvement. The integrated approach includes:

• - Analyzing existing health management initiatives and identifying challenges
• - Designing strategies based on recognition criteria with proposed score improvements
• - Assisting in the preparation and submission of application documents
• - Supporting the implementation of assessable measures (exercise, diet, sleep)
• - Facilitating improvements and continuous operation for subsequent assessment cycles

A standout feature of Walks' support is addressing common challenges in implementation and sustainability through practical guidance such as exercise instruction and seminars. This ensures that companies do not merely achieve formal recognition but effectively improve employee health and productivity.

Conditioning Support Service Offerings

In addition to health management support, Walks offers conditioning support services tailored for businesses. These services include exercises designed to prevent and improve issues like shoulder and back pain, as well as recovery exercises to promote fatigue alleviation. Conducted in convenient settings like conference rooms, the programs ensure minimal disruption to daily operations.

The training typically occurs in small groups of up to five participants, allowing individualized instruction based on each person's physical condition. Past implementations have achieved a remarkable employee satisfaction rate of 97.2%.

The program emphasizes improving shoulder stability and mobility while addressing overactivity of muscles, thus preventing the reoccurrence of shoulder pain. Moreover, it teaches movement patterns driven by the hips to alleviate excessive strain on the lower back, helping prevent and manage back pain.

Additionally, Walks conducts health seminars focused on various themes, such as:

• - “How to Avoid Afternoon Slumps: Breakfast Strategies to Control Blood Sugar” (Directly impacting focus, meeting efficiency, and error reduction)
• - “Fatigue Recovery: Scientific Recovery Strategies” (Addressing the prevalence of sympathetic dominance)
• - “How to Build a Body That Doesn’t Gain Weight: Nutrition for Sustainable Health” (Cautions against extreme carbohydrate restriction)
• - “Health Strategies for Those Over 60: Building Bodies that Prevent Falls and Diseases” (Minimizing risks of work-related injuries and sick leave)

Through a holistic approach to lifestyle management, Walks aims to improve employee health and drive productivity enhancement. Utilizing the expertise of health exercise advisors, the company offers seminars for lifestyle improvements focusing on reduced salt intake, which helps lower hypertension risk and outcomes related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Limited Time Campaign

To celebrate the initiation of these services, Walks is currently running a limited-time campaign offering free support for obtaining Health Management Recognition and for improvement points. This campaign targets companies utilizing Walks' conditioning support services (exercise guidance or health seminars) and includes strategic design, documentation assistance, and recommendations for improving point-based assessments. The support extends beyond simple recognition achievement to establishing and solidifying effective health initiatives, ultimately aiming to boost productivity and enhance the value of human capital.

Contact Us

Companies interested in health management or aiming for the Health Management Recognition certification, renewal, or improvement are invited to reach out to Walks. Tailored proposals and discussions can be arranged through online platforms or in-person meetings, depending on the specific needs of your company.

• - Phone: 090-7420-6977
• - Email: [email protected]
• - Contact Person: Taichi Hirano

About Walks Inc.

Walks Inc. stands by its philosophy of ensuring the best condition for everyone. The company provides health management support services, on-site personal training, and health management classes tailored for middle and older adults in its initiative called “walk on.” In a Japan characterized by labor force decline and an aging population, Walks strives to enhance the value of human capital and promote self-reliance through health-focused conditioning support, contributing to increased productivity across society and the realization of a sustainable future.

Visit our website for more information.