Bridge’s en Group to Introduce Heat Protection Support for Staff in Summer 2026

Bridge Inc. (Head office: Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture; Representative Director: Masayoshi Toriya; hereinafter “Bridge”) announced that en Group, operated by Bridge, will introduce a new “heat protection support” program for summer 2026. The program will cover approximately 130 staff members engaged in home-visit nursing, in-home care support, and travel support services. en Group’s Initiative: Heat Protection Support for All Staff Starting in fiscal 2026, en Group will introduce heat protection support for all staff. Under this individual subsidy program, the company will fully cover approximately 15,000 yen per person, allowing staff to choose products that help prevent heatstroke and protect against ultraviolet rays. Until last fiscal year, the company uniformly supplied drinks and tablets to all locations. The new system shifts to individual choice, based on the idea that the most effective measures differ depending on each staff member’s means of transportation, such as bicycle, motorcycle, or car. en Group will continue improving frontline working environments under its belief that investing in staff leads to better service quality for users. Current Situation in Home-Visit Nursing Home-visit nurses travel by bicycle or motorcycle even under the blazing midsummer sun, visiting multiple users’ homes each day. Their work, carried out under the risk of heatstroke, is rarely seen by the public. At the same time, many users receiving care at home are also exposed to heatstroke risks, as some hesitate to use air conditioning because they feel it is wasteful, while others have difficulty regulating body temperature. This release aims to communicate the “invisible harshness” of home-visit nursing work to society and share en Group’s commitment to investing in the staff who support the frontline. The Summer Risks Faced by Users Receiving Care at Home Many users of home-visit nursing services are elderly people or those with illnesses. Although they face a high risk of heatstroke due to reduced body temperature regulation, many cases are seen where air conditioning is not used appropriately because of concerns such as electricity costs or difficulty noticing the heat. Home-visit nurses are not only professionals in nursing and rehabilitation, but also people who watch over the entire living environment of users. Checking room temperature, encouraging hydration, and quickly noticing changes in physical condition are all forms of careful support that help users spend the summer safely at home. However, the staff members who play these important roles are themselves being worn down by harsh working conditions. Creating an environment where staff can continue working safely and healthily is directly connected to protecting the quality of services provided to users. Comment from Representative Director Masayoshi Toriya Home-visit nurses go to users’ homes on rainy days and under the blazing midsummer sun. We want more people to know about their work. This heat protection support program is a tangible expression of our respect for the frontline. We believe that creating an environment where staff can continue working safely and with pride leads to the best possible care for users. We hope this will become an opportunity for society as a whole to think about the challenges faced by home-visit nursing. About Bridge Inc. Bridge’s mission is to pursue the desire to live in one’s own way and to build businesses that staff can be proud to share with their families. The company aims to create a society where people can live rich lives equally, whether in regional areas or cities. Bridge operates home care services centered on home-visit nursing across 19 locations in 13 prefectures nationwide. In addition to home-visit nursing, the Bridge Group also develops multiple businesses, including day services, in-home care support offices, and travel support services accompanied by qualified medical or care professionals. Through these services, the group is advancing value creation beyond the conventional boundaries of medical and nursing care. Bridge will continue taking on challenges with the aim of becoming the company most strongly associated with innovation and ambition in the home care field.