AI Mental Support to Fully Launch Services Ahead of Expanded Mandatory Stress Checks — One-Stop Support for SMEs via AI Stress Check, AI Occupational Health Navigator, and Consulting

AI Mental Support Inc. (CEO: Konomi Narui, headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo) will begin full-scale operations in the occupational health field starting July 2026, centered on three core services: AI Stress Check, AI Occupational Health Navigator, and Consulting. Under the vision of 'creating a world where individual well-being and corporate growth coexist,' the company will provide end-to-end health management support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), using the expansion of mandatory stress checks to organizations with fewer than 50 employees in May 2028 as a starting point.

## Background and Market Challenges

In Japan, economic losses due to employee mental health issues are estimated to exceed 7 trillion yen annually (approximately 1% of GDP). Additionally, 57.3% of companies report having experienced employee leave or turnover due to mental health issues (according to the Japan Institute for Labor Policy and Training), making mental health a critical business challenge for Japanese companies.

In response, starting May 2028, the obligation to conduct stress checks will expand to workplaces with fewer than 50 employees, which were previously exempt. As the nation shifts toward 'prevention over treatment,' companies are now expected to continuously monitor employee mental health and implement improvement measures.

However, many small businesses with fewer than 50 employees continue to face the following three unresolved challenges:

- Lack of infrastructure to implement stress checks

Many lack dedicated HR personnel and have neither the resources nor the expertise to conduct stress checks, making it difficult to comply with upcoming regulations.

- Difficulty securing and utilizing occupational physicians

While companies with 50 or more employees are required to appoint an occupational physician, many remain uncertain about 'how to find one' or 'what to request,' resulting in only formal compliance.

- Inability to utilize data effectively

Even when stress checks are conducted, companies often lack the know-how to translate results into organizational improvements, leading to a 'check and forget' outcome.

## Service Overview

We have developed services to address all three of these challenges:

- AI Stress Check

Fully compliant with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare guidelines, our proprietary questionnaire identifies modern workplace stress factors. AI provides personalized self-care recommendations to each employee, transforming stress checks from a passive exercise into an actionable wellness tool.

- AI Occupational Health Navigator

We provide end-to-end support for occupational health tasks required when a company reaches 50 employees. Beyond matching companies with occupational physicians, we also offer consultation access to certified psychologists and HR/legal experts, ensuring companies can confidently meet compliance requirements.

- Consulting

Based on aggregated stress check reports, we deliver customized training programs tailored to each organization’s needs. Our offerings include mental health workshops, StrengthsFinder training, and management development programs—enabling data-driven, fundamental organizational improvement.

## Board Member Comments

CEO Konomi Narui

Certified psychologist and serial entrepreneur. Founded a PR/media company that was acquired by Japan’s top PR firm within one year. Appointed CEO of Inter HD in 2022. This marks her third entrepreneurial venture.

My mother was a clinical psychologist who ran a counseling room at home. As a child, I often saw visitors arrive with anxious expressions, and through dialogue, gradually regain strength and vitality before leaving. Witnessing people reclaim their inner power and begin living authentically became my life’s foundation. When re-examining 'the social issue worth dedicating my life to' for my third venture, I returned to my roots—using psychology to support people’s self-actualization. After over a decade in management, I’ve deeply realized that in a society with a shrinking workforce, a company’s greatest asset is its people. That’s why I want to make mental health more proactive and accessible in Japan—eventually turning it into societal infrastructure. We will transform the 2028 mandate from a burden into an opportunity to strengthen organizations and create a society where individual well-being and corporate growth coexist.

COO Yui Shinohara

Former CEO of Smart Media Co., Ltd. (Vector Group). At EVeM Inc., provided management support to hundreds of CEOs, CxOs, and managers.

I’ve long felt that organizational dysfunction isn’t solely due to management issues. Through my own management experience and supporting hundreds of executives and managers, I’ve realized that each employee’s performance and productivity are deeply influenced by their family situation, health, and lifestyle changes. That’s why I believe we need services that support not only managers struggling with leadership, but also employees dealing with mental health or family stress. I believe that when individuals understand their own state and gain the ability to self-manage, both organizations and individuals can thrive. AI Mental Support will deliver 'meaningful stress checks' as the starting point.

CMO Taichi Nakamura (Part-time Director)

Formerly with P&G Japan. At Dwango Co., Ltd., served as deputy head of a 100-person division, involved in organizational management. After going independent, runs a human resource development business as a certified StrengthsFinder coach.

Mental health is a major social issue. Most importantly, I myself am a 'person with lived experience'—I suffered from depression and took a leave of absence during my corporate career. Fortunately, I recovered and regained both my career and health. However, the number of people suffering from mental health issues continues to grow, and I strongly desire to change this reality. I hope this service will support each individual’s mental well-being and, in turn, enhance organizational vitality and contribute to societal progress.