#Japan #Tokyo #Trustyyle #Labor Cooperatives #Teal Organizations

Reclaiming Labor: Exploring the Future of Work

On June 20, 2025, an engaging event titled 'Reclaiming Labor' will take place in Tokyo at the HR Library, hosted by Trustyyle Inc., under the leadership of CEO Yosuke Yoshida. This event will delve into the promising future of work by focusing on worker cooperatives and teal organizations.

Event Overview

The concept of worker cooperatives in Japan emerged with the enforcement of the Worker Cooperative Law on October 1, 2022. This legal framework empowers workers to become members of their cooperatives, allowing them to contribute capital and share their insights while engaging directly in business operations. This model encourages communities to address local issues collaboratively, embodying a new form of corporate governance that aims to resolve the challenges faced by today's workforce.

In recent years, many have grappled with dissatisfaction regarding their work situations, where traditional human resource management and organizational development methods appear to fall short. The pyramid structure that dominates conventional organizations often separates decision-making from operational tasks, which can lead to a disconnection between meaningful work and mere wage labor. This separation raises an important question: How can we reclaim labor in a system that seems designed to alienate? The establishment of worker cooperatives presents a significant opportunity to rethink organizational structures.

In a worker cooperative, individuals are not just employees but collaborators who actively participate in decision-making processes. This structure resonates deeply with the principles of teal organizations and self-managing systems that emphasize autonomy and wholeness.

Experts Sharing Insights

The event features notable speakers, including Noriko Matsumoto, a researcher on worker cooperatives and author of the book 'What are Worker Cooperatives?', and Mitsunori Matsuda, a former HR director at Oz Vision, recognized as the only Japanese company featured in the book 'Teal Organizations.' Together, they will explore the future of work and discuss strategies on how individuals can reclaim meaningful labor, engaging participants in an insightful dialogue about systems, philosophy, and practical applications.

Key Details

• - Date and Time: June 20, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• - Location: HR Library, 1-12-7 Nihonbashi Kakigaracho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, WACROSS NINGYOCHO 6F
• - Registration: Event Registration

Note: Please remove your shoes upon entering the HR Library, and due to seating arrangements, some attendees may sit on cushions. Business card exchanges and sales activities are not permitted within the library.

Event Schedule

1. Introductory Talk (30 minutes): Noriko Matsumoto will introduce the foundational concepts of worker cooperatives, based on her latest work.
2. Cross-Talk Session (90 minutes): A panel of four experts will engage in a participatory discussion covering topics such as:
- Intersection of worker cooperatives and teal organizations
- Management capabilities and system designs
- Sustainability challenges faced by worker cooperatives
- New approaches to job searching aimed at reclaiming labor

Who Should Attend

This event is ideal for:

• - HR and labor professionals
• - Individuals involved in organizational development
• - Those interested in self-managing organizations and principles like teal
• - Community-oriented individuals and NPO practitioners
• - Anyone looking to critically analyze work structures and systems

Speaker Profiles

• - Noriko Matsumoto: Professor at Komazawa University and vice-chair of the Japan NPO Research Association, she focuses on the management of non-profit and cooperative organizations.
• - Mitsunori Matsuda: An expert in organizational support and former HR director at Oz Vision, which is recognized for its innovative business practices.
• - Kentaro Matsui: CEO of Yohaku, actively involved in community projects and innovative organizational development.
• - Yusuke Iwata: A certified social insurance labor consultant with extensive experience in HR consulting and labor relations.

About the HR Library

Founded on April 1, 2024, the HR Library is a co-working community designed for professionals in human resources. It houses over 2,500 HR-related books and has more than 600 members, all operating under the motto of "Learning with Peers to Shape the Future." You can learn more at their official website.

Together, let’s explore how we can reclaim our labor and reshape the future of work in a collaborative and meaningful way.