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Overview of the Forbes Japan Small Giants Award 2026

Persol Career Corporation’s comprehensive professional talent utilization support service, HiPro, has collaborated with the prestigious Forbes Japan for the Small Giants Award 2026. This notable event took place on August 4th, where Ryōhei Yamada, Department Manager of HiPro, took the stage to present the HiPro Special Award to Nakamuraya Co., Ltd., a company rooted in Kyoto.

In its essence, the Forbes Japan Small Giants Award celebrates small yet impactful businesses and innovators that substantially contribute to their respective communities. This year's award further highlighted how local enterprises, despite their size, can embody greatness through innovation and influence on their surroundings. The alignment of HiPro's mission—to connect businesses facing challenges with freelance and part-time professionals—with the Award's philosophy was a significant factor in Persol Career’s decision to support the event for a second consecutive year.

The HiPro Special Award

The HiPro Special Award recognizes local companies that have successfully deployed freelance talent to overcome specific challenges and drive business growth. This prestigious award is granted to enterprises that have demonstrated exceptional outcomes by utilizing skilled professionals in various fields. This year, Nakamuraya Co., Ltd. was chosen based on a recommendation from the Kyoto Hokuto Shinkin Bank, a collaborative partner of HiPro.

Nakamuraya faced complex challenges associated with a new business line, specifically developing additive-free soaps. By integrating three freelance experts in market development, business strategy, and public relations / social media, the company was able to construct a robust sales strategy, establish new customer touchpoints, and successfully launch its products on the market.

Insights from Nakamuraya

Mihoko Oshima of Nakamuraya expressed her gratitude for receiving this esteemed award, acknowledging the significance of the recognition. “Our additive-free black soybean soap, derived from the discarded black soybean cooking liquid, boasts quality we stand behind, yet we faced hurdles in structuring our sales channels and communicating our culture beyond food products. The skilled freelance team, experienced in marketing and networking outside the food domain, has catalyzed our ability to showcase our products effectively. Thanks to their expertise, our brand’s appeal has reached new heights.”

Addressing Challenges through Collaboration

Kohei Kawabata from the Kyoto Hokuto Shinkin Bank emphasized the sustainability of local businesses in an environment where skilled talent is a rare commodity. By segmenting a singular issue and employing multiple experts as a cohesive team rather than just independent contractors, Nakamuraya was able to address its challenges with remarkable efficacy. Kawabata echoed the notion that collaborative frameworks could offer new pathways to leverage freelance talent within regional enterprises.

The Vision of HiPro

HiPro operates under the guiding principle of “unlocking skills to diversify society.” As a support service connecting organizations grappling with challenges to capable freelance and part-time professionals, HiPro has introduced the ‘Skill Return’ initiative, launched in 2023. This program aims to link skilled individuals wishing to contribute to their local economy with companies striving for progress, thereby fostering economic growth.

Economic revitalization is paramount, especially in Japan, where the decreasing labor pool poses challenges. The Skill Return initiative seeks to weave professional talent utilization into the fabric of local business practices and shed light on how businesses can thrive through this collaborative exercise.

The Forbes Japan Small Giants project aims to shine a spotlight on the often-overlooked local businesses—small in size but great in potential—via three primary platforms: Media, Awards, and Projects. It underscores that what may be small in scale can still have a gargantuan impact in terms of value and innovation.

Conclusion

Persol Career’s HiPro exemplifies commitment to bridging gaps between challenges faced by local businesses and the rich pool of professional talent available. The recognition of Nakamuraya Co., Ltd. through the HiPro Special Award not only validates their innovative approach but also reinforces the message that collaborative efforts can yield significant outcomes in enhancing regional economies. By prioritizing partnership and support for freelancers, HiPro is paving the path for a new era of business collaboration in Japan.

For more insights and updates on HiPro, visit their official website.