Addressing Talent and Successor Shortages in Miyagi Prefecture: Imajina's Recent Seminar Insights

Tackling Talent Shortages in Miyagi: Insights from Imajina

In the heart of Miyagi Prefecture, Imajina Co., Ltd., a Tokyo-based management consultancy led by President Yoshiki Sekino, is confronting the pressing societal issue of talent and successor shortages. On April 15, 2025, Imajina hosted a management and branding seminar in Sendai, aimed at addressing these critical challenges faced by the region.

Current State of Miyagi Prefecture's Workforce

The situation in Miyagi is alarming; with a staggering 55.9% shortage rate of successors expected in 2024, the region faces significant hurdles in maintaining its economic vitality. In the same year, the number of business closures and bankruptcies reached an all-time high of 1,036. Factors such as labor shortages and rising costs are exacerbating the already tough business environment, making succession planning and talent development urgent priorities for sustainable economic growth.

Seminar Objectives and Key Content

The seminar sought to offer actionable strategies that companies can implement to navigate these turbulent times. Specifically, it focused on how organizations can effectively instill their corporate philosophies within employees. By doing so, businesses can enhance their hiring strategies and retention rates.

During the session, Imajina presented how fostering a strong corporate philosophy can cultivate employee engagement and encourage proactive behaviors. This positive cycle can lead to improved recruitment and retention outcomes, which are pivotal in a period punctuated by workforce scarcity.

A key takeaway from the seminar was the importance of revising traditional management roles to align with contemporary leadership principles. In this context, executives were encouraged to communicate their corporate philosophy in their own words and integrate these principles into daily conversations and organizational structures.

Audience Engagement and Future Outlook

The seminar attracted a diverse audience, including business leaders, HR professionals, and managers, all eager to gain insights into coping strategies that promote employee engagement and organizational resilience. Feedback gathered post-seminar revealed a keen recognition of the need for management to take ownership of instilling the corporate philosophy. Many participants expressed an increased awareness of the significant challenge in achieving employee alignment with the organization's values.

Imajina is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of regional businesses, especially in Miyagi Prefecture. The company is dedicated to delivering practical guidance in areas such as corporate philosophy integration, talent development, and organizational enhancement.

About Yoshiki Sekino and Imajina

Yoshiki Sekino, the leader of Imajina, has an interesting journey. At the age of 15, he moved to the United States, and by 26, he had established Imajina in New York City. His experiences abroad highlighted the effective employee engagement strategies of globally successful companies. Motivated by the realization of the importance of fostering employee appreciation, Sekino relocated to Japan in 2006 to help local businesses thrive through human resource development and the incorporation of corporate philosophies.

Over the years, Imajina has supported over 2,900 companies in their growth pursuits. Sekino emphasizes the pivotal role of management in cultivating organizational culture and is committed to enhancing leadership through targeted programs.

In addition to his consulting work, Sekino shares his insights through books, including the popular series featuring his latest release, "Management Power," which has sold over 560,000 copies. He also contributes to the translation and supervision of renowned international texts, ensuring that essential leadership principles remain accessible for Japanese audiences.