Cradle to Host Webinar with METI's Director of Economic and Social Policy on Diversity Report

Cradle Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yumi Ozaki / Sputniko!, hereinafter "Cradle"), a company providing corporate well-being support services to help create environments where everyone can confidently perform at their best, will host a webinar titled "Frontlines of Human Capital Management and Corporate Growth: Insights from the Diversity Report" on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The event will feature Mr. Yuichi Takagi, Director of the Economic and Social Policy Division and Director of the Future Human Resources Strategy Division at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

This webinar will use METI’s published Diversity Report as a starting point to explain how diversity initiatives can be elevated beyond mere principles or structural reforms and instead be positioned as a strategic business theme that strengthens corporate competitiveness and drives value creation. In addition to Mr. Takagi’s analysis of the report, a dialogue with Cradle’s CEO Sputniko! will connect policy direction with practical insights gained from supporting companies on the ground, offering participants actionable ideas to assess their own challenges and determine their next steps.

Background of the Webinar

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has published the Diversity Report to promote diversity management in Japanese corporations.

As values and workstyles become increasingly diverse, companies are expected to create environments where diverse talent can fully utilize their abilities and convert that potential into enhanced competitiveness and value creation. The report outlines the necessary mindsets and strategic directions for advancing diversity not just as a matter of principle or policy, but as a driver of sustainable corporate growth.

Meanwhile, companies face various challenges at the implementation stage—such as operationalizing policies, engaging managers, changing employee behaviors, and measuring impact—after initial structural reforms have been put in place.

To date, Cradle has engaged in ongoing dialogues with HR, strategic planning, and DE&I leaders across numerous companies through its corporate well-being support services, supporting their individual initiatives.

This webinar will bridge METI’s policy direction with Cradle’s on-the-ground practical knowledge. It aims not only to deepen understanding of the policy’s background and rationale but also to help companies reflect on their current status and challenges, and identify concrete next actions.

Overview of "Frontlines of Human Capital Management and Corporate Growth: Insights from the Diversity Report"

Mr. Yuichi Takagi, Director of the Economic and Social Policy Division and Director of the Future Human Resources Strategy Division at METI, will explain the key issues and policy directions highlighted in the Diversity Report.

Additionally, a talk session will be held between Mr. Takagi and Sputniko!, CEO of Cradle. Together, they will explore the perspectives and specific actions companies should consider to treat diversity not as a standalone initiative but as a core business strategy that enhances competitiveness and drives innovation.

<Main Topics Covered in the Webinar>

・Understanding the key issues and policy directions in the Diversity Report

Based on the challenges identified in the report, this session will explain why diversity is now a critical topic for corporate competitiveness and human capital management.

・Strategic approaches to link DE&I with corporate competitiveness and value creation

This session will present perspectives on positioning DE&I as a strategic business priority—not just a policy—so that diverse employees can fully contribute and drive innovation.

・Assessing internal DE&I challenges and planning next steps

This session will provide frameworks for companies to evaluate their progress in areas such as policy implementation, frontline operations, manager engagement, employee behavior change, and impact measurement, and to determine their next actions.

<Event Overview>

Webinar Title: "Frontlines of Human Capital Management and Corporate Growth: Insights from the Diversity Report"

Date and Time: July 22, 2026 (Wednesday), 12:00–13:00 JST

Format: Online

Target Audience: HR departments, strategic planning departments, professionals involved in human capital management and organizational development, and DE&I initiative leaders

Registration URL: https://cradle.care/webinar_cradle/webinar_0722_2026

<Featured Speaker Profiles>

Mr. Yuichi Takagi, Director, Economic and Social Policy Division / Director, Future Human Resources Strategy Division, METI

Joined METI in 2006. After serving in the Cabinet Office, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, and Minister's Secretariat, he became Director of the Future Human Resources Strategy Office in the Industrial Human Resources Division in July 2024, and assumed his current role in September 2025. At METI’s Economic and Social Policy Division, he leads initiatives to promote women’s advancement and diversity management in Japanese companies, including developing female leaders, building support networks for women entrepreneurs, and promoting women’s participation through the 'Nadeshiko Brand' initiative, aiming to create a society where diverse talent, especially women, can thrive.

Sputniko! (Yumi Ozaki), CEO and Artist, Cradle Inc.

Formerly Assistant Professor at MIT Media Lab, specially appointed Associate Professor at the University of Tokyo, and Associate Professor at Tokyo University of the Arts. Selected as a TED Fellow since 2019 and a World Economic Forum 'Young Global Leader' since 2017. Recipient of the 11th L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Japan Special Prize, 'Vogue Woman of the Year,' and featured in the Japanese edition of Newsweek's '100 Japanese People Respected by the World.' Founded Cradle Inc. in 2019 and assumed the role of CEO.

Overview of the Well-being Support Platform 'Cradle'

'Cradle' is a corporate service that supports health management and human capital management by enhancing employee well-being. It helps create environments where each employee can confidently perform at their best.

By integrating employee learning videos, seminars, online counseling, coupons, employee data analytics reports, and healthcare support through a network of over 130 medical institutions nationwide, Cradle provides comprehensive support for corporate well-being initiatives.

<Contact for Materials Request>

URL: https://cradle.care/lp02

Cradle Inc.

・Company Name: Cradle Inc. ・Headquarters: SLACK SHIBUYA 901, 31-14 Sakuragaokacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo ・Business: Operates 'Cradle,' a corporate well-being support platform that supports health management, human capital management, and diversity initiatives ・CEO: Yumi Ozaki / Sputniko! ・Founded: December 16, 2019 ・Company URL: https://cradle.care/

Guided by the vision 'Nurturing a future where everyone shines,' Cradle aims to create a society where everyone can thrive by expanding employee choices.

As Japan's No.1 employee benefits provider for empowering well-being and fueling diverse talent growth, Cradle offers a comprehensive solution including learning videos, seminars, online consultations, coupons, employee data analytics reports, and healthcare support through a network of over 130 medical institutions nationwide.