Fukushima Prefecture Launches Proactive Work-Style Reform through Public-Private Collaboration: Governor, Business Groups, and Municipal Leaders Declare Acceleration Toward Human Capital Management

Work-Life Balance Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Yukie Komuro; hereinafter "the company"), which has provided work-style reform consulting since its founding in 2006, was commissioned to implement the Reiwa 8 "Kandou! Fukushima" initiative to create attractive workplaces. On June 2, 2026, the company held the "Fukushima Prefecture Top Seminar: Proactive Work-Style Reform to Solve Labor Shortages and Boost Performance—Realizing Human Capital Management and Becoming a Chosen, Attractive Company" (hereinafter "the seminar") in Fukushima City.

On the same day, nearly 300 participants, including Fukushima Governor Masao Uchibori, leaders of local municipalities, and representatives of major economic organizations within the prefecture, gathered to formally declare the "Fukushima Proactive Work-Style Reform Acceleration Declaration," affirming their commitment to advancing human capital management and creating attractive workplaces. Moving forward, under this commissioned project, the company will support transformation among local businesses through the "Work-Life Balance Promotion Program," which cultivates implementation leaders within companies, and "Accompanying Support by Expert Consultants" provided to model enterprises.

At the seminar, Yukie Komuro, President and CEO of the company, delivered a keynote speech titled "Solving Labor Shortages and Retaining Young Talent! Work-Style Reform That Boosts Performance—Case Studies from 3,600 Companies Supported." The presentation introduced successful examples from regional SMEs that achieved both reduced overtime and improved performance, initiatives that enhanced retention of young and female talent, and practical steps company executives should take immediately. In the subsequent panel discussion, Governor Uchibori, Mr. Norihiko Saeki, Director of the SME Agency’s Business Support Division, and Ms. Kazumi Washio, Executive Director of WASHIO Trading Co., Ltd., joined the conversation, engaging in candid discussions on topics such as "management strategies to prevent talent outflow" and "conditions that enable female and young talent to thrive."

Under this commissioned project, the company will implement the "Work-Life Balance Promotion Program" (hereinafter "the Promotion Program") to train implementation leaders within local companies, and provide "Accompanying Support by Expert Consultants" (hereinafter "Accompanying Support") to model enterprises. The company will translate the concepts shared at the top seminar into practical action, supporting the advancement of human capital management and the creation of attractive workplaces across Fukushima’s businesses.

・Work-Life Balance Promotion Program (Application deadline: June 29 (Monday))

https://work-life-b.co.jp/public_event/20260701-2

・Accompanying Support by Expert Consultants (Application period closed)

https://work-life-b.co.jp/public_event/fukushima_bansoushien

▲ Keynote speech by our President Yukie Komuro

▲ "Fukushima Proactive Work-Style Reform Acceleration Declaration" attended by Fukushima Prefecture Governor, leaders of major economic organizations, and municipal leaders

(Reference Articles)
・HuffPost Japan: "Work-style seminar in Fukushima: Governor describes expert lecture as 'shock like waterfall training'—What is proactive reform?" (June 4, 2026)
・Fukushima Prefecture Website: "Top Seminar for 'Kandou! Fukushima' Attractive Workplace Creation Project Held!"
・Company Press Release: "Soma City Endorses Three Declarations—Promoting Work-Style Reform Toward Becoming a 'Chosen Region'; Supporting Local Companies’ Recruitment Capabilities as the Next Regional Strategy—Kickoff Lecture and Panel Discussion on June 24" (June 16, 2026)

Background: Why is this reform needed now in Fukushima, where youth female outmigration continues?

Between 2012 and 2021, approximately 41,000 young people, primarily women aged 15–24, moved out of Fukushima Prefecture (based on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' Resident Basic Register Population Movement Report). As competing with metropolitan-area companies solely on wages is difficult, businesses nationwide that have enhanced qualitative values such as "workplace comfort," "career growth prospects," and "organizational culture" are achieving results. Across Japan, an increasing number of companies are linking work-style reform and human capital management to improved recruitment, talent retention, and productivity. This initiative aims to spread such transformative practices throughout Fukushima Prefecture.

This project is designed with a consistent support structure that goes beyond mere learning, driving change from management mindset shifts to on-site behavioral transformation. The direction shared at this top seminar will be implemented through the Promotion Program and Accompanying Support, using Fukushima as a starting point to drive change and disseminate best practices within the prefecture and nationwide.

Seminar Day Report

During the keynote speech, Yukie Komuro, President and CEO of the company, introduced practical case studies based on supporting over 3,600 companies nationwide, focusing on the theme "Reducing overtime and improving performance can coexist." She explained initiatives by companies achieving results despite severe labor shortages, the roles company leaders must play to transform into organizations chosen by young and female talent, and the importance of advancing work-style reform as a business strategy. Participants responded positively, saying, "My perspective on work-style reform has changed" and "Now I clearly understand what we need to implement in our own company."

In the following panel discussion, Fukushima Governor Masao Uchibori, Mr. Norihiko Saeki from the SME Agency’s Business Support Division, and Ms. Kazumi Washio, Executive Director of WASHIO Trading Co., Ltd., discussed creating attractive workplaces in Fukushima. Governor Uchibori stated, "We have worked on women’s empowerment, male parental leave, and health management separately, but we must integrate them. It’s important to approach this with a positive mindset." Ms. Washio shared practical insights, saying, "We’ve addressed employee challenges as a company, solving issues one by one and building momentum over time." Panelists emphasized that work-style reform should not be seen merely as a welfare measure but as a strategic business initiative that enhances recruitment, talent retention, and corporate growth.

At the conclusion of the seminar, the "Fukushima Proactive Work-Style Reform Acceleration Declaration" was carried out, with Governor Uchibori, leaders of major economic organizations, and municipal leaders expressing their endorsement. They declared a unified public-private commitment to advancing human capital management and creating attractive workplaces. They pledged to collectively support a new management direction—fostering workplaces with high psychological safety where employees can challenge themselves without fear of failure, thereby achieving both employee well-being and corporate growth.

The company will continue collaborating with Fukushima Prefecture, supporting local business transformation through the Promotion Program and Accompanying Support, while also contributing to solving regional challenges nationwide by creating and disseminating advanced case studies originating from Fukushima.

Top Seminar Overview

・Date: June 2, 2026 (Tuesday)

・Venue: Korosse Fukushima (1-20 Minamikata-machi, Fukushima City)

・Organizer: Fukushima Prefecture (Operational Support: Work-Life Balance Co., Ltd.)

・Speakers:

Governor Masao Uchibori, Fukushima Prefecture (Panel Discussion Participant)

Mr. Norihiko Saeki, Director, Business Support Division, SME Agency

Ms. Kazumi Washio, Executive Director, WASHIO Trading Co., Ltd.

Yukie Komuro, President and CEO, Work-Life Balance Co., Ltd.

・Main Program:

1. Keynote Speech: "Solving Labor Shortages and Retaining Young Talent! Work-Style Reform That Boosts Performance—Case Studies from 3,600 Companies Supported" (Yukie Komuro, President and CEO)

2. Panel Discussion: "Creating Attractive Workplaces in Fukushima Prefecture"

3. Endorsement of the "Fukushima Proactive Work-Style Reform Acceleration Declaration"

[Sponsors]
Tohoku Economic Industry Bureau, Fukushima Labor Bureau, Fukushima Prefectural Mayors Association, Fukushima Prefectural Towns and Villages Association, Federation of Fukushima Prefectural Managers' Associations, Fukushima Prefectural Small and Medium Enterprise Entrepreneurs' Association, Federation of Fukushima Prefectural Chambers of Commerce and Industry