New Book by Management Expert Takao Maekawa Aims to Transform the "Manager as a Penalty Game" Mindset, Backed by Experience from Over 500 Companies

FeelWorks Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takao Maekawa), which supports companies and organizations in improving their "managerial skills" (Joshiryoku) for talent development, will begin selling its latest book, "Heart-Moving Management Stories: 18 Joys of Being a Manager That No One Ever Told You," on online stores like Amazon starting Monday, May 18, 2026. To commemorate the book's release, we will also hold a "Publication Commemorative Seminar" on Thursday, May 28, to rediscover the joy of nurturing people. This work is a magnum opus written by Maekawa, who has been involved in creating nurturing workplaces at over 500 companies, to redefine the role of a manager from a "penalty game" to the "ultimate joy" of developing people. ■ Three Reasons to Pay Attention to This Book 1. [Social Issue] A Serious Departure from Management Roles Currently, the "gamification" of management as a penalty, with 80% of young employees shunning management positions, has become a social problem. This book re-presents the essence of management as a job where one can find joy in nurturing and utilizing people, through true stories of managers and their subordinates that moved their hearts. It aims to deliver the "hope for leadership" that Japan needs most right now. 2. [The Limits of Logic] Beyond Time Performance and Efficiency The workplace is exhausted by logic-driven measures like human capital management and reskilling. The approach of directly appealing to emotions through storytelling, confronting the reality that "people are not moved by logic alone," is a new attempt to restore "humanity" to a business world that tends to overemphasize rationality. Furthermore, to enable readers to replicate similar stories through their own self-improvement, the book introduces them within the framework of the "Six Managerial Skills to Bring Out the Best in Each Individual" advocated by FeelWorks in its "Joshiryoku® Training," and also explains them using psychology related to motivation and communication. 3. [The Expert's Conclusion] The "Story" Arrived at After 40 Books On the milestone of his 20th anniversary as an author and his 40th book, he arrived at the value of "stories that share experiences and feelings" which reinforce theory and skills. Based on real-life dramas that have garnered immense empathy in over 1,000 lectures over 20 years, this work has news value as the culmination of a talent development and career support expert's own work. ■ New Publication Commemorative Seminar ● Date: May 28, 2026 (Thu) 15:00-17:00 (Reception from 14:40) ● Venue: VORT SPACE 9F, Okamoto Bldg. 9F, 1-11-3 Nihonbashi Kayabacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0025 *Immediately outside Kayabacho Station Exit 3 ● Facilitator: Takao Maekawa, CEO, FeelWorks Inc. ● Target Audience: HR, talent development, management departments, executives, etc. ● Participation Fee: Free (Registration will close when full) ● Bonus: Book "Heart-Moving Management Stories" - 18 Joys of Being a Manager That No One Ever Told You (tentative) ● Application: https://www.feelworks.jp/seminar/20260528/ ■ About FeelWorks Inc. Takao Maekawa, CEO of FeelWorks Inc. / Adjunct Lecturer at Aoyama Gakuin University. Founder of the FeelWorks Group, a collective of talent development experts, and the leading proponent of "Joshiryoku®" (managerial skills) for developing subordinates and vitalizing organizations. Born in Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture. Graduated from Osaka Public University and Waseda Business School. After serving as editor-in-chief for publications like "Keiko to Manabu," "Shushoku Journal," and "Rikunabi" at Recruit, he founded his company in 2008 with the mission to "contribute to creating a society that values, nurtures, and utilizes people," operating training and publishing businesses. He has supported over 500 companies with originally developed training programs such as "Joshiryoku® Training," "Joshiryoku® Forging Seminar," "Career Training for People in their 50s," "Learning Business Mindset for Professionals through Drama," "New Employee Training," and "Professional Mindset Training." He has been an adjunct lecturer at Aoyama Gakuin University since 2011. He established the Hataraki-gai Souzou Kenkyusho (Work-fulfillment Creation Research Institute) in 2017. He also serves as a supporter for The Japan Research Institute for Enterprise, and a committee member for the Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association. He has many fans due to his friendly personality and is knowledgeable about promoting diversity management, leadership development, and career support. He has authored about 40 books. *"Joshiryoku" is a registered trademark of FeelWorks Inc. FeelWorks Inc. Representative: Takao Maekawa, CEO Address: EKS Bldg. 8F, 1-16-8 Shinkawa, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Business: Corporate lectures/training, organizational vitalization consulting, publishing/writing, commentary, etc. URL: https://www.feelworks.jp/ ■ Book Overview Title: "Heart-Moving Management Stories" - 18 Joys of Being a Manager That No One Ever Told You Author: Takao Maekawa Format: A5, 208 pages Price: 1,694 yen (1,540 yen + 10% tax) Release Date: Monday, May 18, 2026 *Pre-orders start Wednesday, May 13, 2026 Sales Location: Amazon https://amzn.asia/d/0cnMj402 Publisher: FeelWorks Inc. ■ Inquiries about this matter FeelWorks Inc. PR Contact: Nakamura Mail: pr@feelworks.jp URL: https://www.feelworks.jp/