Small and medium sized companies are the future of Japan and no one knows this better than HRM. Sakamoto Kouji, a professor at Hosei University in Tokyo, published a book on the subject. Sakamoto-sensei addresses the economic needs of a Japan with declining jobs and a declining working population, and the important role upcoming businesses play. “Nihon de Ichiban Taisetsu ni Shitai Kaisha” (Lit. The companies [I want] to value the most in Japan), a sort of handbook on the future of business in Japan, has become the representative mentality of organizations such as HRM: focusing on the value of human contribution on a micro-level.
To celebrate and commemorate Sakamoto-sensei’s significant and direction-changing business ideals, an annual conference is held to recognize outstanding contributions in the world of small and medium companies. The “Taisetsu Taisho”. Take a moment to look into some of the most progressive happenings in Japanese business.