#Japan #Minato #DearOne #Work-Life Balance #Employee Welfare

Empowering Employees: DearOne's Commitment to Family Support

DearOne, a new venture under NTT Docomo focusing on marketing, is making significant strides toward enhancing the work-life balance for its employees. With a workforce predominantly consisting of individuals in their 20s and 30s, DearOne understands that many of its employees may face family planning and childcare responsibilities in the near future. In response to this evolving landscape, the company has rolled out new welfare programs designed to support its staff through various life stages.

New Welfare Initiatives

Starting from April 2025, DearOne is introducing a series of innovative welfare measures:
1. Fertility Treatment Support Leave: Employees undergoing fertility treatment can take up to 12 months of leave per year to concentrate on their health and well-being. This policy aims to alleviate the stress associated with these treatments, allowing employees to focus entirely on their medical needs without the burden of work commitments.
2. Expanded Short-Time Work System: While the law allows for short-time work arrangements only until a child turns three, DearOne will expand this period to allow such arrangements until the end of the child's third-grade year. This extended timeframe enables parents to better balance their professional and parental roles, offering them flexible working hours to accommodate school schedules and childcare needs.
3. Exemption from Overtime Work: Similar to the short-time work system, this policy allows for exemptions from overtime requirements until a child completes third grade, thereby providing parents with the support they need to manage home and work life effectively.
4. Cafeteria Plan Introduction: This allows employees to utilize a flexible point system for various benefits, including childcare support and leisure activities. Employees can select the options that best suit their individual needs, whether that’s assistance with childcare facilities or subsidies for travel and leisure activities.

These welfare initiatives are part of DearOne's comprehensive program called 'Breath', aiming to foster a supportive work environment where employees can excel and grow professionally while also managing their personal lives effectively.

Emphasis on Parental Leave

DearOne has reported a steady increase in the uptake of parental leave, with the rates surpassing 80% for both 2023 and 2024. This trend reflects the company’s culture of support, encouraging both male and female employees to take leave for child-rearing. In recent years, even male managers and sales team members have accessed this benefit, with their leave durations notably extending from just a few days to three months or longer.
The company aims for a 100% parental leave uptake among all employees, reinforcing its commitment to making professional and personal journeys attainable for everyone.

Supporting Family and Career

The recent amendments to the Childcare and Caregiver Leave Act require companies to offer flexible work options for employees with children over the age of three, which aligns with DearOne’s proactive approach. Starting in October, the company will actively engage with its employees, gathering feedback to ensure that their support systems are meeting the actual needs of working parents.

DearOne recognizes that fostering a supportive environment benefits not only the employees but also the overall organizational culture and productivity. The 'Breath' program encompasses over 20 diverse support measures, all designed to encourage a healthy work-life balance and ensure employees feel secure and valued within the company.

About DearOne

DearOne is a marketing-focused subsidiary of NTT Docomo based in Minato, Tokyo. It provides innovative digital solutions including the 'ModuleApps2.0' platform that allows for rapid app development tailored to user needs and the 'ARUTANA' retail media platform for comprehensive advertising distribution. Additionally, DearOne offers a suite of martech tools such as 'Amplitude' for user behavior analysis, supporting the growth of digital products in today’s evolving market.

For more information on DearOne's employee welfare strategies and initiatives, please visit DearOne's official website.