#Japan #Tokyo #Odakyu Electric Railway #Career Ownership #Corporate Culture

Odakyu Electric Railway Achieves Milestone in Employee Development

In a significant achievement for the transportation sector, Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd., headquartered in Shinjuku, Tokyo, has been recognized with the prestigious Best Award in the Corporate Culture Transformation category at the 2025 Career Ownership Management Awards. This accolade honors companies that excel in initiatives aimed at maximizing human capital and fostering the sustainable growth of both individuals and organizations.

The recognition, announced on May 13, 2025, is a testament to Odakyu’s commitment to enhancing the professional expertise of its workforce. Notably, over 70% of Odakyu’s employees are engaged in rail operations, emphasizing the company's dedication to developing specialized skill sets. In the upcoming fiscal year, the company plans to expand career dialogue opportunities not only within its headquarters but across all operational sectors, a move that has garnered significant praise for its innovative approach to transforming corporate culture.

Driving Employee Potential and Community Value

Odakyu Electric Railway prioritizes the harnessing of individual employee diversity and aims to create lasting value for both the community and society at large. Central to this effort have been programs focused on career support, which initially targeted employees at the headquarters. These programs feature coaching sessions for management staff and career-related educational initiatives.

As part of the 2024 initiative, all employees, including those in operational roles, will have the chance to engage in annual one-on-one meetings with their supervisors. During these discussions, employees are encouraged to express their career aspirations, fostering an environment of open dialogue and reflection. Early results from these meetings indicate that approximately 80% of employees expressed a desire to strive for further growth in their current roles, reinforcing the notion that they take pride in their contributions and achievements.

Focus on Structural Reform and Talent Acquisition

Odakyu recognizes the pressing issue of a shrinking workforce and views the enhancement of its human resources and structural reforms as a top priority. The company's commitment to investing in its workforce aims to achieve the highest labor productivity in the private railway sector. As Odakyu continues to expand career support initiatives, it is dedicated to fostering employee engagement and productivity. This dual focus is designed to create a positive cycle that propels business growth in tandem with regional development.

Recognition from the Evaluation Committee

The evaluation committee's remarks highlighted the bold and dedicated approach Odakyu Electric Railway has taken towards fostering a corporate culture where all employees can actively engage in career dialogue, particularly in an industry traditionally characterized by stability and strict regulations. A commendable aspect of this initiative is the establishment of structured opportunities for career conversations and one-on-one meetings for all employees, including operational staff.

The practical implementation of these dialogues has proven challenging due to the psychological and operational complexities involved, especially with the frontline staff. However, through careful communication and employee buy-in, Odakyu achieved an impressive participation rate of 80% in an inaugural open-ended survey. The finding that most operational staff are envisioning their future careers aligned with their current roles signifies a strong sense of pride and self-worth, validating the importance of career dialogues in promoting employee fulfillment.

About the Career Ownership Management Award

The Career Ownership Management Award 2025, chaired by Kunio Ito from Hitotsubashi University, seeks to recognize companies that demonstrate a commitment to enhancing autonomous employee growth and sustained corporate value through the concept of career ownership management. This initiative aims to promote a new relational paradigm between individuals and organizations by highlighting exemplary practices of career ownership and maximizing human capital in the workforce.

Odakyu Electric Railway's achievement in this award not only underscores its leadership within the infrastructure sector but also sets a remarkable benchmark for career ownership management, reinforcing the significance of integrating employee aspirations into corporate growth strategies.