[For Island Industry Issues, an Integrated Model of 'Recruitment, Training, and Retention'] Signed a Business Partnership Agreement with Hopes Inc.

Shimano Jinjibu Inc. (Location: Miyakojima City, Okinawa Prefecture, Representative Director: Taihei Chida), which provides recruitment consulting in Miyakojima, Ishigaki Island, and Naha, has entered into a business partnership agreement with Hopes Inc. (Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Shinichiro Sakai), which operates an athlete education business. We are pleased to announce this.

Summary of this Release

・ Shimano Jinjibu Inc. and Hopes Inc. will commence a comprehensive business partnership.

・ Hopes Inc. will take over the 'Recruitment Information Site Business' previously operated by Shimano Jinjibu Inc.

・ Hopes Inc. will provide its training content, instructors, and training planning/sales expertise to Shimano Jinjibu Inc., launching 'Human Resource Development Services Tailored to Regional Needs' in Miyakojima and Ishigaki Island, where a corporate training business had not previously existed.

・ A new model will be established to improve employee retention rates centered on 'education' in remote island areas, which have particularly low employee retention rates within Okinawa Prefecture, thereby enhancing the quality and productivity of human resources for businesses and the region as a whole.

・ This initiative is planned to expand to the northern part of Okinawa Island within one year.

Background and Recognition of Issues in this Comprehensive Business Partnership

While tourism demand in regional cities is expanding due to the prolonged yen depreciation and increased inbound tourism, the dual challenges of 'securing workers' and 'retaining them' are becoming more severe in remote island areas, including Miyakojima and Ishigaki Island.

Shimano Jinjibu Inc. has been addressing the human resource challenges of local industries through recruitment support and job site operations in Miyakojima and Ishigaki Island. Through this, we have become acutely aware of the reality that Okinawa Prefecture has a remarkably low employee retention rate nationwide.

Even if we can recruit, they leave. Continuing recruitment while leaving this problem unaddressed creates an unfortunate cycle for both businesses and job seekers. 'Simply acquiring new workers is insufficient to increase the number of employed individuals; parallel implementation of retention management measures for current employees is essential' – this is the fundamental issue awareness that led to this partnership.

Objectives and Significance of this Comprehensive Business Partnership

This partnership is a 'cycle model of recruitment and human resource development' realized by Shimano Jinjibu Inc., which specializes in recruitment support, and Hopes Inc., which has extensive experience in developing and retaining young talent for sports teams, major corporations, and government agencies, by pooling their respective strengths.

Specifically, it will focus on the following three pillars:

・ [Recruitment] Expansion of the number of workers through the operation of a recruitment information site specializing in promoting the appeal of regional industries, and the introduction and registration support of specified skilled foreign workers (Shimano Jinjibu Inc.'s strength).

・ [Training and Retention] Provision of corporate training utilizing Hopes Inc.'s training content, instructors, and expertise. For small and medium-sized businesses that cannot adequately prepare in-house training, joint training will be conducted across industries and company boundaries to create opportunities for talent development within the islands (Hopes Inc.'s strength).

・ [Improvement of Regional Productivity] The accumulation of training will enhance the quality of employees in individual businesses, thereby boosting the overall industrial productivity of Miyakojima and Ishigaki Island. 'Pride and a sense of growth in working on the island' will increase talent stickiness within the islands (Shared vision of both companies).

The Meaning of 'Shimano Jinjibu for Recruitment' x 'Hopes for Education' Joining Forces

Shimano Jinjibu Inc. Hopes Inc. Strengths Regional recruitment support through a three-location system in Miyakojima, Ishigaki Island, and Naha. Track record in introducing specified skilled workers. Regional trust base through cooperation with Miyakojima Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Ishigaki City Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Extensive experience in developing and retaining young talent for sports teams, major corporations, and government agencies. Training content, 60 instructors, planning and sales expertise. Role Expand the 'Entrance' Expand the number of workers through recruitment information sites and foreign worker introductions. Seal the 'Exit' Improve retention rates through training and development. Reduce turnover. ■ Specific Initiatives

1 Recruitment Support (Hopes x Shimano Jinjibu)

・ Operation of job sites specializing in Miyakojima and Ishigaki Island: 'Miyako no Shigoto' and 'Yaima no Shigoto'.

・ Comprehensive support for the recruitment operations of small and medium-sized businesses through recruitment agency services.

2 Human Resource Development and Retention Support (Hopes x Shimano Jinjibu)

・ Design and implementation of 'Joint Training Programs' for small and medium-sized businesses on the islands that cannot afford in-house training.

・ Creation of a platform for participants to form 'pseudo-cohort' relationships through training that transcends industry and company boundaries.

・ Aim to reduce turnover rates by improving employees' sense of growth and belonging through training.

3 Ripple Effect on the Entire Region

・ The accumulation of training for each business will improve the quality of human resources throughout Miyakojima and Ishigaki Island, thereby increasing the island's industrial productivity.

・ By providing retention support beyond regional boundaries, the probability of talent remaining within the island or adjacent regions will increase in case of turnover.

・ Build a brand as an attractive region to work for job seekers by disseminating information about participating companies.

Future Development

After establishing the initiatives of this partnership in Miyakojima and Ishigaki Island, we plan to expand to the northern part of Okinawa Island (around Nago City), which faces similar regional challenges, within one year. We are also considering a nationwide rollout to similar regions as a successful model for talent retention in remote islands and rural areas.

We will directly confront the proposition that 'recruitment challenges cannot be solved by recruitment alone.'

Company Overview

Shimano Jinjibu Inc.

Established: January 2022

Representative: Taihei Chida

Location: 934-1 Taira-Nakasone, Miyakojima City (within FM Miyako)

URL: https://shimano-jinji.com/

Miyako no Shigoto: https://ritojob.com/

Yaima no Shigoto: https://yaima.ritojob.com/

Hopes Inc.

Established: December 2000

Representative: Shinichiro Sakai

Location: BIZ SMART Yoyogi #342, 1-25-5 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

URL: http://www.hopes-net.org/