Entries Open for 3rd Annual (FY2026) "Cultural Diversity Index" Certification, Evaluating Workplaces for Japanese and Foreign Talent

The Cultural Diversity Promotion Association will begin accepting entries for the third (2026) "Cultural Diversity Index (CDI) Certification" on June 20, aligning with World Refugee Day. This system evaluates and certifies companies and organizations working to create workplace environments that embrace cultural diversity.

Application guidelines, entry sheets, and forms are available on the official CDI website (URL: https://culturaldiversityindex.org/).

Background of the "Cultural Diversity Index Certification" (CDI Certification)

This system was born from the rapid changes in the human resources environment surrounding Japanese companies.

As the population and labor force continue to shrink, Japanese companies are now at the forefront of the international competition for talent. While the global race for skilled individuals intensifies, there is also growing domestic interest in an "orderly acceptance" of foreign talent based on the proper application of societal rules and systems.

At the same time, the business community points out the need for Japan to transform into a "country of choice" for talent. The Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) has also proposed the importance of welcoming foreign talent not as a temporary labor force but as partners who share in building society, and of creating an environment that supports their success and retention. Establishing orderly rules and achieving coexistence after acceptance are two sides of the same coin. The key to becoming a "country of choice" and a "workplace of choice" lies in balancing the proper operation of society-wide rules with the creation of workplaces where everyone can exert their abilities and wish to stay, overcoming cultural and linguistic differences.

Against this backdrop, many companies are beginning to recognize "creating a workplace where Japanese and foreign talent choose to work together under common rules and values, and where everyone can succeed and stay" as a management issue for strengthening human capital and evolving their business foundations.

It should be noted that "foreign talent" here does not only refer to people newly arriving in Japan. There is a reality where even those born and raised in Japan, who speak Japanese fluently and were educated in Japan, face disadvantages and unconscious bias at work due to differences in appearance, name, or Japanese intonation.

Creating a culturally inclusive workplace also means establishing an environment where each of these individuals can fully contribute as colleagues and team members, without their success being hindered by their differences. The CDI certification is a system that evaluates and visualizes the efforts of companies and organizations addressing these challenges.

What is the "Cultural Diversity Index Certification" (CDI Certification)?

The CDI certification is a Japanese system that certifies workplace environments inclusive of cultural diversity. It evaluates and certifies companies and organizations that have established a workplace where people with immigrant backgrounds from overseas and Japanese people can work together, sharing the same workplace rules and values, while anyone can feel secure and perform to their best, overcoming cultural and linguistic differences. This certification focuses solely on the workplace environment within a single company or organization and does not address the country's immigration and residency systems or acceptance policies.

Based on entry sheets submitted by companies and organizations, a review is conducted using 39 evaluation criteria, and certification is granted in five levels: Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Green.

Frequently Asked Questions about the "Cultural Diversity Index Certification" (CDI Certification)

① What kind of companies have been certified so far? (Past CDI Certification Results)

In the first round (2024), 15 companies were certified. In the second round (2025), 22 companies entered and obtained certification, an increase of about 47% from the previous year. Among them, the initiatives of four companies were recognized as "Good Practices." A diverse range of companies and organizations, regardless of industry or size, have participated.

② Is a high number of foreign employees required for a positive evaluation?

No, this is not a system that evaluates based on the number or ratio of foreign employees. The CDI certification evaluates not the formal "total amount of diversity," but whether the company is working to create an environment that supports diverse talent, including foreign nationals, to "understand the workplace and culture, and work in harmony with their surroundings" as colleagues under common rules, values, and purpose. This certification serves as an external signal that the workplace is a place where "both Japanese and foreign talent recognize, understand, and respect each other's differences, and where everyone working there can thrive as colleagues."

③ Can we be certified if our environment is still a work in progress?

Yes, you can. The CDI certification evaluates not only established initiatives but also the willingness to make improvements. There is value in entering even at the "still have a long way to go" stage. The most sought-after attitude in this era is not a perfect system or outcome, but the very will to "create a workplace where diverse people can work with peace of mind." Please participate as a chance to articulate your current efforts and reassess your company's position.

④ What kind of companies or organizations is this recommended for?

It is open to all industries and sizes, but it is particularly recommended for companies and organizations promoting the following: Companies promoting human capital management: Companies that view talent as "capital" and aim to maximize its value, positioning the success and retention of diverse talent, including foreign nationals, as an important theme.