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King Jim's Commitment to Parental Leave and Childcare Support

In a significant achievement, King Jim Co., Ltd., based in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has received the prestigious 'Platinum Kurumin' certification from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. This designation is awarded to companies that demonstrate exemplary commitment to support for childcare through the Next Generation育成支援法, indicating they exceed basic childcare facilitation standards.

Since acquiring their initial 'Kurumin' certification in 2017, King Jim has been dedicated to creating an environment that allows employees to harmonize their work and familial responsibilities effectively. Their recent enhancement of initiatives aimed at fostering individual growth and capabilities has led to this higher-level recognition.

Understanding the 'Platinum Kurumin' Certification

The 'Platinum Kurumin' mark serves as an indication of advanced efforts in supporting employees through parental leave and childcare needs, reflecting their status as a top-tier company in nurturing family-friendly policies. It aims to foster a society where the next generation thrives, aligning with Japan’s urgent need to combat declining birth rates and support childrearing.

Key Initiatives by King Jim

King Jim has implemented various strategies, demonstrating its dedication to becoming a leader in childcare support:

1. Encouraging Male Parental Leave – Improving Rates from 50% to 120%

One of the significant areas of focus has been the promotion of male parental leave. Through a blend of system improvements, personalized follow-ups, and cultural change within the workplace, King Jim has successfully elevated the male parental leave uptake rate from 50% to an impressive 120%. This involved creating paid leave for the first five days of parental leave and encouraging participation during a spouse's childbirth through proactive engagement. The company also actively shares success stories of male employees who have taken parental leave to normalize and incentivize its uptake.

2. Supporting Continuous Employment Amidst Parenting Challenges

To support employees with children, particularly navigating challenges like the 'first-grade wall'—the difficulties families face when children enter elementary school—King Jim has established conducive working conditions. This includes flexible working hours, telecommuting options, and promoting planned use of vacation days. By addressing the needs of working parents, King Jim ensures that employees can continue to thrive in their roles while managing familial responsibilities.

3. Long-Term Career Development Support

King Jim has also restructured its evaluation and promotion standards to ensure that all employees have equal opportunities for advancement, irrespective of their parental leave status. This strategic evaluation now properly reflects any potential long-term impacts from taking parental leave, supporting continuous career growth. Notably, this commitment has resulted in the ratio of female managers increasing nearly fivefold over the past five years to 13.8%. This growth emphasizes King Jim's dedication to fostering an inclusive workplace that recognizes talent without gender bias.

King Jim's Broader Commitment to Work-Life Balance

In line with the Next Generation育成支援法, King Jim has introduced an extensive range of policies designed to aid its employees in achieving a balance between work and family life:

• - Expansion of childcare and nursing care support (beyond legal requirements)
• - Encouragement of male parental leave uptake
• - Prevention of excessive working hours and promotion of leave accumulation
• - Implementation of flexible working arrangements (telework, staggered working hours, etc.)
• - Comprehensive support systems for pre- and post-leave transitions
• - Awareness programs and manuals for management to facilitate cultural change

Through these concerted efforts, King Jim aims not only to bolster employee motivation but also to foster an organizational culture that prioritizes work-life balance, ensuring every employee can thrive personally and professionally.