Sunshine City Co., Ltd. (Toshima Ward, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hidemasa Waki) held "Menstrual Pain Experience Training" for its group executives and employees on May 28 (Thu) as part of its efforts to create a workplace environment where diverse talent can thrive by fostering a deeper understanding of others.

As part of its ongoing commitment to creating a supportive work environment, the company also plans to conduct training on September 1, "Disaster Prevention Day," to learn about disaster preparedness that includes people with disabilities and the importance of reasonable accommodations.

Participants experiencing simulated menstrual pain with "Periodoid," sharing the pain they felt and discussing it in groups.

This training utilizes the menstrual pain simulation device "Periodoid," provided by Linkage Inc., to allow participants to experience "menstrual pain," a topic that is difficult to share. The goal is to reduce the perception gap between genders by sharing the experience of pain, to foster consideration for unexpected physical discomfort, deepen understanding of pain, and create a workplace environment where everyone, regardless of gender, can be considerate of each other. A total of 25 participants from three Sunshine City Group companies – Sunshine City Co., Ltd., Sunshine Enterprise Co., Ltd., and Sunshine City Building Management Co., Ltd. – attended this training.

The training began with a lecture covering the physiological mechanisms of menstrual pain, the risks of overlooked illnesses from enduring pain, and the impact on work performance, offering a multifaceted understanding of women's health issues. Following this, participants experienced simulated menstrual pain using "Periodoid," personally feeling the characteristic dull ache and physical burden. A subsequent discussion revealed sentiments such as, "Through the experience, I was reminded that how pain is felt varies from person to person," and "I previously felt this was a difficult topic to discuss at work, but I believe it's a necessary training to spark ideas for improving internal systems." Participants actively exchanged specific ideas on how to provide support.

Sunshine City Group will leverage the insights gained from this training to continue promoting an environment where everyone can work comfortably, both mentally and physically, regardless of gender or life stage.

*This press release can be downloaded here →

d20364-1128-aa29089742179a7c2ce2087b7771bf82.pdf

Voices from Employees Who Participated in the Training

・The pain was more intense than I imagined, and I realized how shallow my understanding was. I understood for the first time that it's a condition that prevents concentration on work.

・By having men participate together, we were able to hear each other's honest feelings and learned that they want us to speak up without hesitation.

・There was an atmosphere where it was actually difficult to take menstrual leave. I felt the need to create an environment where the system can be easily utilized.

・It is important to foster a culture where people can take leave or adjust their work arrangements without hesitation. We want to create an environment where people feel secure.

・I felt it should be conducted continuously as mandatory education at each level, not just as a one-off event. I realized the importance of acting with knowledge and awareness.

Scenes from the Training

▸ Menstrual Pain Experience and Discussion using "Periodoid"

After experiencing menstrual pain, participants verbalized their pain sensations and shared them within their groups, discussing the individual differences in how pain is felt. They also discussed what kind of support, systems, and workplace environment would allow them to work with peace of mind when such pain occurs during work, gaining many hints that can be applied to future workplace development.

What is "Periodoid"...

A device that allows users to virtually experience menstrual pain. It was developed during research by Konan University and Nara Women's University to verify the possibility and effectiveness of reproducing menstrual pain. Using neuromuscular electrical stimulation (EMS), it reproduces the abdominal pain experienced during menstruation, allowing users to experience pain in stages by adjusting it to three levels: weak, medium, and strong.

Comments from the Person in Charge

Yuko Kuboki, CX Department, Sunshine City Co., Ltd.

During this training, we received surprisingly deep insights and constructive suggestions from the participants, which made us realize the great value of this initiative. What was particularly impressive was how the mixed-gender participation transformed a previously sensitive topic into a natural dialogue. By discussing appropriate communication methods during times of physical discomfort, mutual understanding within the team deepened. An environment where each employee can perform at their best without strain leads to an improvement in the quality of value provided to customers.

We will leverage the participants of this training as "starting points for understanding" in their respective workplaces and steadily expand the circle of understanding, thereby enhancing the inclusivity of the entire organization through continuous awareness-raising, aiming to create an environment where diversity is respected and all employees can work with peace of mind. We aim to achieve a Sunshine City that continues to be loved by all customers as a result of striving for a workplace where as many employees as possible understand and support each other.

[Reference] Sunshine City CX Improvement Activities

My "Everyday" is Dedicated to the Customer's "First Time" – For that "One Moment" (CX Improvement Activity Slogan)

Sunshine City welcomes over 30 million visitors annually. We are engaged in CX improvement activities with the desire that all visitors have a "heart-moving experience" and spend their time meaningfully. Furthermore, we believe that it is essential for the Sunshine City staff to work with vitality to achieve this. We also conduct training for Sunshine City Group executives, employees, and staff working in stores and facilities to address and resolve on-site issues.

Reasonable Accommodation Training

Reasonable accommodation training was conducted on three themes: visual impairment, hearing impairment, and wheelchair use. Participants served as instructors, and by incorporating hands-on workshops in addition to lectures, participants learned to understand the perspectives and challenges of people with disabilities and how to provide appropriate accommodations and support.

Scene from visual impairment training using blindfolds

DE&I (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Training

In addition to deepening understanding for creating a workplace where everyone can work comfortably and providing services that are more attuned to customers by respecting DE&I, we learned how to connect this understanding to business and profits, rather than just understanding it.

▸ Sunshine City's Aspirations and Initiatives for CX Improvement

https://sunshinecity.jp/file/official/customer_experience/

▸ Sunshine City Barrier-Free Information Site

https://sunshinecity.jp/file/official/barrierfree/

※This press release can be downloaded here → d20364-1128-aa29089742179a7c2ce2087b7771bf82.pdf

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Sunshine City Overview

Location: 3-1 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

Business Hours: Varies by facility

Inquiries: Sunshine City General Information 03-3989-3331

https://sunshinecity.jp/

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 事後報告