World Holdings Welcomes 1,040 New Employees with an AI-Powered 2026 Entrance Ceremony

[April 1, 2026] World Holdings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fukuoka City, Chairman and President: Eikichi Iida) welcomed a total of 1,040 new employees and held its 2026 entrance ceremony utilizing AI technology, with Tokyo Tower as the main venue, connecting 17 locations nationwide online.

The day featured an entrance ceremony that merged AI technology with human sentiment, including ceremony navigation by an AI avatar, a generative AI support song with participation from about 700 senior employees, and a surprise 'letter to parents' project connecting new employees and their families.

■Real-time connection of 17 nationwide venues centered around Tokyo Tower

This year's entrance ceremony was held in a format that connected 17 nationwide venues online, with Tokyo Tower as the main hub. By connecting all venues in real-time, a total of 1,023 people participated in the ceremony simultaneously.

This mechanism created a sense of unity across the venues, allowing the new employees to take their first step as professionals in the same time and space.

■AI Avatar 'Kizuna-chan' Navigates the Ceremony

During the ceremony, the company's original AI avatar, 'Kizuna-chan,' appeared as a navigator for the master of ceremonies.

In coordination with the MC, she smoothly supported the entrance ceremony connecting the 17 nationwide venues.

By having humans at the center of the progression while utilizing AI, a warm-hearted ceremony was realized.

■Chairman Iida: 'I am sincerely happy to meet all of you'

At the ceremony, Chairman and President Eikichi Iida delivered a message to the new employees.

'Meeting all of you like this is fate. I am sincerely happy for this encounter. I want you to face each task with sincerity and move forward while supporting your colleagues.'

He also mentioned that the group has grown to 52 companies and over 60,000 employees under the banner of creating 'Ways for People to Thrive,' and stated, 'Even in a world economy with great risks, I want to boldly take on challenges with all of you while adapting to change,' expressing his expectations for the new employees.

■Special Performance by 'AI President Kuriyama'

In addition to a live message from Katsuhiro Kuriyama, President of the group's core company, World Intec Co., Ltd., a special video featuring 'AI President Kuriyama' was also shown.

A message of encouragement was delivered to the new employees: 'Instead of asking what the company can do for you, I want you to think about what you can do for your colleagues and act on it. The accumulation of such efforts leads to individual growth and, in turn, the company's growth.'

■700 Senior Employees Participate in Creating a Support Song with Generative AI

For this year's entrance ceremony, an AI support song was created with the participation of about 700 senior employees as an 'answer song' to the anxieties and expectations previously submitted by the new employees.

The original song 'START -At Your Own Pace-,' with lyrics and music created using generative AI based on support messages collected from senior employees, was performed.

The song embodies the senior employees' desire to cheer on their new colleagues taking a new step forward.

▼START -At Your Own Pace- (YouTube)

https://youtu.be/Ibp7_lASYaY

■New Employee Representative States Aspirations

A representative of the new employees stated their determination:

'With gratitude to everyone who has supported me, I want to strive to contribute to the company as soon as possible,' and 'Aiming to grow into a person who can be active in society, I want to face my duties with sincerity.'

Afterward, Chairman Iida presented the letters of appointment and employee IDs, and the new employees officially began their professional lives.

■'Double Surprise' with a Letter to Parents and a Video Message from a Mother

In the latter half of the ceremony, as a project to connect new employees and their families, Ms. Yuka Komatsu, a new employee at World Intec Co., Ltd., read a letter of thanks to her parents.

Furthermore, a video message from her mother had been secretly pre-recorded and was shown on screen after she finished her letter.

Ms. Komatsu was surprised but smiled at the sudden message from her mother, and the venue was filled with warm applause and emotion.

It became a symbolic moment that united the new employees, their families, and all related parties.

■Creating an Entrance Ceremony that Embodies 'Ways for People to Thrive'

This year's entrance ceremony was structured to value human connections and feelings while utilizing AI technology.

It became a warm welcoming ceremony for the new employees, featuring a sense of unity connecting 17 nationwide venues, a support song from senior employees, and a surprise project to express gratitude to families.

Under its purpose of 'realizing the happiness of people and the sustainable development of society by creating all kinds of 'Ways for People to Thrive' throughout the world,' the World Holdings Group will continue to promote an environment where each employee can fully demonstrate their individuality and abilities, and strive to create a rewarding organization.