Be Forward, operating cross-border e-commerce sites, announces office expansion and opening on the 8th floor of Roppongi Hills North Tower

Be Forward Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Hiroki Yamakawa; hereinafter, "the Company") is pleased to announce the opening of its new office on the 8th floor of Roppongi Hills North Tower on April 1, 2026.

【Background】

As our business expanded, the number of employees increased, leading to a shortage of office space and meeting rooms in our existing office. Furthermore, with the COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst, we promoted remote work, and while 75.4% of our employees (as of January 2025, the percentage of employees working remotely at least once a week) were working remotely, the number of employees requesting to come to the office also increased, leading us to transition to a hybrid work model. This expansion will enable us to respond to increased personnel and the promotion of hybrid work, accelerating future-oriented work styles and business growth.

【Promoting Hybrid Work and Work Style Reform】

The benefits of hybrid work include reduced commuting burden, improved work-life balance, securing diverse talent, cost reduction, and enhanced employee engagement. On the other hand, there are also challenges such as lack of communication, information gaps, and reduced opportunities for developing young talent.

In the new office, we will strengthen investment in facilities to facilitate both in-person and online communication. In addition to expanding office spaces with a free-address system, we will equip meeting rooms with IT infrastructure such as large wide displays and multi-person web conferencing systems, and increase the number of seats compatible with remote meetings. Furthermore, we will adopt a layout that can flexibly accommodate diverse work styles and team formations, enhancing the productivity and comfort of each employee, and creating an inclusive environment where everyone has equitable access to information. This office expansion will enable functional division by department and flexible space utilization through the free-address system, contributing to the improvement of employee well-being and creating opportunities for developing young talent.

【Office Expansion as a Strategic Investment】

Office expansion is not merely about securing space; it is a crucial investment directly linked to a company's growth strategy, talent strategy, and brand value enhancement. Developing the office environment is indispensable for talent acquisition and retention, engagement improvement, and innovation creation.

■Talent Acquisition and Engagement Enhancement

A comfortable and functional office environment boosts employee motivation and engagement, effectively aiding in the recruitment and retention of excellent talent. Especially for young talent and individuals with diverse backgrounds, a comfortable work environment is a crucial factor in choosing a company.

■Organizational Revitalization

By installing various types of meeting rooms and communication spaces, we will promote new interactions and idea generation, thereby revitalizing the organization.

■Freedom of Commuting and Future Adaptability

The expansion will allow for flexible adaptation to medium- to long-term business changes and organizational growth. It will also enhance the freedom to choose where to work, such as through a free-address system or Activity-Based Working (ABW), making it easier to adapt to new work styles in the future.

【New Office Overview】

Name: Roppongi Hills North Tower Office

Expansion Date: April 1, 2026

Location: 8th Floor, Roppongi Hills North Tower, 6-2-31 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo