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Spice Factory Joins Tokyo's Sustainable Workforce Initiative

Spice Factory Co., Ltd., based in Minato, Tokyo, and led by CEO Hiroyuki Takagi, is proud to announce its recognition as a 'Tokyo Sustainable Work Company' as part of the Tokyo Future Work Initiative. This program aims to promote diverse workplace styles and harness technology to improve productivity and create new work environments.

Understanding the Tokyo Sustainable Work Company Registration

The Tokyo Sustainable Work Company registration system is designed to recognize and promote companies that actively engage in work style reforms and champion flexible and diverse work environments. By affirming our commitment to the 'Declaration of Future Work Initiatives,' we are dedicated to building a culture and system that supports sustainable working methods for our employees.

Commitment to Human Capital and Societal Trends

Since our inception, Spice Factory has pursued a vision of a society where everyone is respected and can work securely. We strive to create an environment that supports the mental and physical well-being of employees and their families.
In 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission amended Regulation S-K, mandating that companies disclose information regarding their human capital. Consequently, in Japan, approximately 4,000 listed companies will be subject to similar requirements from March 31, 2023. Taking international trends into account, we joined the United Nations Global Compact Network Japan (GCNJ) in 2022, endorsing 10 principles related to human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption, while aiming for sustainable management aligned with international standards.

Beginning in 2024, we will also promote continuous investment in human capital and high transparency in information disclosure according to the Japan Version of Decent Work 8 Indicators (JD8). We are committed to fostering an organizational culture that respects diversity and maximizes individual strengths.

Key Achievements Based on JD8 for the 2024 Fiscal Year

• - Public disclosure of gender wage disparity ratio
• - Achieving a 30% or higher ratio of female management positions
• - Ongoing wage increases
• - Continuous investment in human capital for employee development

Our Approach to Work

At Spice Factory, we have implemented flexible working arrangements through flex-time and remote work policies, creating a work environment that respects work-life balance. Our unique special leave system further enhances this balance, allowing employees to take time off as needed.
As part of our recognition as a 'Tokyo Sustainable Work Company,' we have established initiatives that have been evaluated as follows:
1. Realization of Reduced Overtime
We are implementing measures to keep monthly total working hours to an average of less than 170 hours. This includes the flex-time system and effective management of work time to create a productive work environment.
2. Facilitating Easy Leave
Our previous year's average vacation usage rate was 52.8%. Besides regular paid leave, we offer various special leave systems to support employee lifestyles.
- Pre-mom or dad leave: 20 days of special leave before birth
- Wellness leave: One day per month for attending to family or pet health appointments
- Celebration leave: One day off per year for personal celebrations
- Donor leave: Time off for bone marrow donation commitments
3. Promoting Diverse Work Styles
Our flex-time system offers each employee the flexibility to tailor their work to their lifestyle, complemented by a Siesta system allowing additional breaks as needed.
4. Encouragement of Telework
We have supported telework since before the COVID-19 pandemic and now have a hybrid system enabling remote work up to four days a week. We also emphasize in-person communication when present at the office and provide remote allowances to all employees. Furthermore, we are expanding our base offices in Fukuoka and Kyoto to attract talent from across the country.
5. Promoting Side Jobs
All employees can participate in side jobs and, following specific application and approval processes, are supported in their external work activities.
6. Comprehensive Compensation Systems
We have established hierarchical pay and treatment systems based on roles, evaluating performance based on individual contributions to our growth and organizational goals.

Future Directions

CEO Ayano Ryugo, who serves as our Chief Sustainability Officer, expressed delight in our recognition as a 'Tokyo Sustainable Work Company.' She emphasized the importance of creating an environment for employees where they can rest effectively and focus on their tasks. Spice Factory aims to support one another's work in society, adapting to changes in life stages and family situations. While recognizing that our journey is ongoing, we are dedicated to fostering employee growth and enhancing our organizational framework.

About Spice Factory

Spice Factory is a DX-support company serving as a catalyst for digital transformation within businesses and government entities. By applying agile methodologies across diverse sectors, we focus on producing rapid value creation and addressing societal challenges. As a comprehensive digital integrator, we bridge management issues to ground-level operations, providing consistent support from service design to system development and marketing. Our mission is to act as a catalyst for innovation, helping to solve social issues and contribute to new business and innovation creation.