Addressing Loneliness as a New Business Risk: A Seminar Overview

On November 12, 2025, NPO SKY, located in Osaka, Japan, successfully conducted a free online seminar titled "Enhancing Corporate Value Through Addressing Loneliness - A Human Capital Management Support Seminar." This seminar was part of a project recognized by the Cabinet Office to tackle loneliness and isolation in local communities, attracting 36 participants from various sectors including business management, HR, and local government.

Seminar Details

Event Name: Enhancing Corporate Value Through Addressing Loneliness - A Human Capital Management Support Seminar
Date & Time: November 12, 2025, 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Format: Online Seminar (via Zoom)
Participation Fee: Free
Attendees: 36 participants
Organizer: NPO SKY
(This project is recognized by the Cabinet Office’s initiative on loneliness and isolation)

Program Overview

Part 1 (1:00 PM - 2:00 PM): The Role of Addressing Loneliness and Isolation in Enhancing Corporate Value
Speaker: Dr. Mitsuhiro Ura, Professor at Otemon Gakuin University
Dr. Ura is a leading expert on social psychology, group dynamics, and organizational psychology. He led the session with insights on the relationship between well-being management and corporate value, discussing the impacts of loneliness and isolation.

Part 2 (2:00 PM - 2:30 PM): Case Study Presentation: The Men’s Second Career Program
Presenter: Yumiko Mizusaki, Executive Director of NPO SKY
In this segment, Yumiko showcased NPO SKY’s ongoing three-year project, the "Men’s Second Career Program,” which serves as a model initiative addressing loneliness and isolation.

Insights From the Seminar

In the first segment, Dr. Ura presented the latest research findings on loneliness, emphasizing its implications for workplace well-being and corporate impact. He underscored the need for organizations to recognize and address the subtle yet dangerous risks of isolation within their workforce.

Dr. Ura's presentation provided empirical evidence supporting the correlation between well-being management and enhanced corporate value. He detailed practical strategies companies can adopt to combat loneliness—ranging from fostering community to implementing workplace support systems. During the Q&A session, participants raised concerns about approaching those less likely to vocalize their struggles with loneliness, prompting Dr. Ura to offer practical advice based on his research and experience.

Highlights of the Men’s Second Career Program

In the second part of the seminar, Yumiko Mizusaki discussed the Men’s Second Career Program—a workshop designed to help men navigate their careers post-retirement. The program includes sessions on self-reflection, communication, culinary arts, networking with the community, and discovering new hobbies. The initiative aims to help participants transition smoothly from their corporate roles to community involvement, emphasizing the importance of social connections beyond the workplace.

Yumiko also shared testimonials from participants who have found value in the program. Feedback highlighted the need for different types of social spaces and the positive effects of having supportive communities.

Participant Feedback

Attendees shared their impressions through surveys, noting valuable insights from the speakers. Many expressed awareness of the stigma surrounding loneliness, which exacerbates the issue. A participant remarked on understanding how Japan's dual employment structure can contribute to feelings of isolation.

Future Steps and Initiatives

As organizations navigate the complex dynamics of human capital management, they must prioritize employee well-being. The seminar highlighted the collaboration between private and non-profit sectors in addressing isolation, suggesting organizations can benefit significantly by utilizing community resources to foster comprehensive human capital initiatives.

In the future, NPO SKY plans to host workshops targeting business representatives interested in health management and human capital practices. These events will encourage discourse on identifying hidden loneliness as well as strategies for achieving health-oriented corporate cultures.

NPO SKY aims to ensure that every individual can live independently and purposefully by preventing mental health struggles stemming from loneliness through its counseling and training initiatives. By merging efforts in loneliness countermeasures and good corporate management, they envision a happier, more connected community.

For more updates on their initiatives, follow NPO SKY on Facebook or contact them directly via email for inquiries regarding upcoming workshops and resources.