#Japan #Employee Engagement #Great Place To Work #Event 21 #Kashiba

Event 21: Celebrating Employees and Workplace Culture

In a remarkable achievement, Event 21 has proudly secured the number one position in the small business category (employing between 25 and 99 employees) in the 2026 Great Place To Work® rankings in Japan. This prestigious ranking, awarded by the Great Place To Work® Institute Japan, marks the fifth time the company has made it to the list, underscoring its continued commitment to fostering an exceptional workplace environment.

The rankings are based on detailed surveys conducted with employees, evaluating their perceptions of workplace satisfaction. The recognition of Event 21 as a leader in this space is attributed to its innovative organizational structure and strong emphasis on corporate culture, information sharing, and people.

High Evaluation Points from the Ranking

The evaluation highlighted key aspects of Event 21’s organizational culture. The company’s mission, “you happy, we happy!”, represents its unique approach towards implementing strategies that enhance work-life balance and employee satisfaction. Employees feel a high degree of ownership over their organizational contributions, contributing to the overall impressive ratings from the institute.

Building a Strong Organizational Culture

The recent ranking success is a reflection of Event 21’s dedication to its core values, long-term vision, and promoting proactive behavior among its employees. Let's delve into three major initiatives that embody this philosophy:

Initiative 1: Embracing a Culture of Initiative

One of the fundamental principles at Event 21 is its commitment to a “hands-up culture.” This encourages employees to express their thoughts and aspirations regardless of their rank or seniority. The company hosts 26 training retreats each year where employees align their personal visions with the company's mission, fostering future-oriented thinking. Through a nomination-based leadership system in 14 committees and eight projects, employees gain the experience of creating a “good culture, good company.”

An example of this was observed in internal trainings where employees from various locations share visions for the future in an engaging and collaborative environment.

Initiative 2: A Culture of Genuine Recognition

Event 21 emphasizes a culture where employee achievements are celebrated wholeheartedly through internal awards and monthly MVP recognitions. Each award comes with a personalized certificate, reflecting the specific reasons for recognition and future expectations. This thoughtful approach cultivates genuine emotional connections, with moments of joy often leading to tears of happiness.

Moreover, the company encourages all employees to share their challenges, creating a supportive environment where diversity, nationality, and individual circumstances are respected equally. Employees feel they are part of a community that enhances their lives through collective experiences.

Initiative 3: Addressing Social Issues through Employee Proposals

Event 21 views employee development as a means of embodying their principles and enhancing the well-being of society. Employees actively participate in educational programs in schools and regularly visit child welfare facilities. Based on their suggestions, the company has facilitated around 160 social contributions, affirming the connection between individual roles and societal impact.

These engagements allow employees to realize how their work directly affects society, ultimately boosting motivation and personal growth within the organization.

Recognition Over the Years

Event 21’s track record in workplace satisfaction includes numerous accolades:

• - 1st place in the 2026 Great Place To Work® rankings in the small business category
• - 1st place in the Kinki region rankings in 2025
• - 4th place overall in Japan’s small business rankings and 2nd for both younger and female employee categories in 2025
• - Ranked 30th among SMEs in Asia
• - Notable accolades in D&I, social contributions, and support for a diverse workforce

Looking Ahead

With its guiding philosophy of “you happy, we happy!”, Event 21 plans to carry forward its ten-year vision to create a company that is not only interesting and strong but also serves to inspire hope and dreams in the world. The organization is committed to expanding the concept of workplace satisfaction throughout society.

Conclusion

Event 21’s commitment to crafting an environment where employees feel valued and empowered stands as an inspiring model for businesses everywhere. Their dedication to engagement and meaningful contributions not only uplifts their workforce but resonates with the broader community. As they continue to strive toward excellence, Event 21 exemplifies the essence of workplace happiness.

For more about Great Place to Work® and Event 21, please visit their official website.