Towards Solving the Human Resource Shortage in the Care Welfare Industry - Joint Venture Established for Introducing Sri Lankan Specified Skilled Workers

I am truly delighted to take this first step towards solving the major social challenges facing Japan's care industry, together with Viron International. I have deepened my friendship with Mr. Takigawa, the representative, for 14 years since he first attended our course in 2012.

Mr. Takigawa has been operating businesses in Sri Lanka since 2017, contributing to the country's development in various ways, not only in education but also in managing mango farms. He has also served as Ambassador Plenipotentiary for the Vocational Training Authority of the Ministry of Education of the Sri Lankan government, building overwhelming trust and achievements locally.

It is precisely because I have observed his achievements and sincere character closely for many years that I am convinced he is the best partner to solve social issues together, leading to the establishment of this joint venture. We will mobilize the full strength of our group to inject new vitality into the field through this project, addressing the management challenge of "human resource shortage" that many managers currently face.

■ Satoshi Takigawa, Representative Director, Viron International Co., Ltd.

Since I first attended Achievement's course in 2012, I have been learning the essence of management. I feel very encouraged to be able to shape this socially significant project with President Aoki.

Through many years of activity in Sri Lanka, I am convinced that there are many young people in Sri Lanka who are full of ambition for growth and have deep respect and affection for Japan.

I am confident that this project, which connects them with Japan, will not merely be a supply of human resources, but a profoundly meaningful initiative to jointly shape Japan's prosperous future. By combining the top-class educational quality cultivated locally in Sri Lanka with Achievement's community of business owners, I myself feel a strong sense of mission and expectation to develop this project as a bridge between the two countries.

As a registered support organization, it provides support for accepting specified skilled workers. Its distinctive stance is to not consider "joining a company" as the goal, but to consistently support post-placement retention, sustainable corporate development, and the self-realization of the specified skilled workers themselves. It has established a meticulous retention support system with Sri Lankan staff, providing strong support that transcends cultural and language barriers.

Furthermore, the Viron Group, centered around Viron International Co., Ltd., operates five Japanese language schools in Sri Lanka and is one of the largest educational groups in the country, producing hundreds of graduates annually. The Japanese language schools operated by the group are highly regarded as institutions with outstanding educational quality in Sri Lanka, boasting the No. 1 pass rate (72%) for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JFT) in Sri Lanka. Its activities extend beyond the education sector, contributing significantly to the country's economic development through diversified business operations, including Autobac's dealership business and automobile maintenance-related businesses. Based on the advanced training and introduction schemes cultivated through many years of local activity, it has now established a system capable of responding to a wide range of industrial needs, not only in the care welfare sector but also in automobile maintenance, accommodation, and food service.

A human resource education consulting company celebrating its 39th year since its founding. With the slogan "Changing the world through the power of education," it provides public seminars for working adults and corporate training, teaching life design and corporate management based on purpose. It has delivered information to over 510,000 customers to date and has received high evaluations for its specialized programs in executive education and organizational development. Selected as a Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry member company in 2025. Ranked 3rd in the medium-sized category in the 2026 edition of "Great Place to Work" in Japan. Awarded "Best Company" for 11 consecutive years from 2016 to 2026. Leveraging the know-how cultivated in adult education, it has expanded its activities to school education, child education, and human resource education for government agencies and national universities, supporting many organizations beyond just corporations.