I.S.T. Kami Co., Ltd. Obtains 'Eruboshi Certification' Based on the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace
I.S.T. Kami, the main factory of I.S.T Corporation, has achieved the highest level (3 stars) of the 'Eruboshi Certification,' recognized for its excellent initiatives in promoting women's success in the workplace, high ratio of female managers, and flexible working environments.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 19:00
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I.S.T. Kami Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Taka-gun, Hyogo Prefecture; President: Toshiko Sakane; hereinafter 'the Company'), a group company and the main factory of I.S.T Corporation (Headquarters: Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture; President: Toshiko Sakane), which develops, manufactures, and sells high-performance materials including polyimide resins, is pleased to announce that it has acquired the third level (3 stars) of certification (commonly known as 'Eruboshi Certification') under the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace.
■ I.S.T's Initiatives for Women's Advancement
Our company is constantly challenging itself with new research and development, and approximately one-third of all employees are engaged in R&D and technological development. Female employees also play an active role as top runners, with 15% of them leading the organization as managers. To respond to the desire to 'cherish both career and family,' we have prepared an environment where it is easy to use maternity and childcare leave systems. The childcare leave acquisition rate and the rate of return from childcare leave (for women) have both been 100% over the past three years. Additionally, we are working to realize flexible work styles by introducing staggered working hours and telecommuting systems.
This time, the Company was highly evaluated for its high proportion of female regular workers, the active participation of many women on the front lines, the steady progress in developing and appointing female leaders who participate in organizational management as managers, and the establishment of an environment that supports career development through systems that assist in transitioning to regular employment. As a result, we have acquired the highest category of 'Eruboshi (Level 3) Certification.'
Going forward, we aim not only to create a better workplace environment where all employees can thrive but also to contribute to the local community through chemistry.
■ What is the 'Eruboshi' Certification?
It is a certification system granted to companies that meet certain standards in five evaluation items—recruitment, continued employment, working hours, ratio of managers, and diverse career paths—based on the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace, and whose initiatives to promote women's advancement are recognized as excellent.
■ About I.S.T Corporation
With the mission of 'making the impossible possible,' we are a material brand that creates the future with high technological capabilities, consistently handling everything from the research and development of high-value-added materials and their manufacturing technologies, manufacturing equipment, inspection technologies, and inspection equipment to their manufacturing and sales. We independently develop polyimide resin, a representative highly heat-resistant material; high-performance composite fibers combining non-combustibility, high strength, and high durability; and high-value-added fiber materials such as wool, cotton, and hemp using special spinning technologies. Our internally developed toner-fixing tubes for laser printers still hold a global market share of over 70% (including technology provision) today, 35 years after their launch.
In addition to providing materials to customers across industry boundaries regardless of whether they are overseas or domestic, we also develop consumer businesses such as tailors and custom-made golf shafts for discerning customers. Centered on high-performance materials born from our development technologies, we are expanding our business into multiple fields 'from raw materials to finished products' and 'to all fields.'
Company Name: I.S.T Corporation
Establishment Date: June 1983
Representative: Toshiko Sakane, President and Representative Director
Location: 5-13-13 Ichiriyama, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture (Headquarters and Research Laboratory)
Business Description: Research, development, and manufacturing of new materials and products centered on high-performance polymer materials based on polyimide resin, transparent polyimide roll films, high-strength polyimide fibers, fiber-reinforced composite materials, negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, functional components for OA equipment, various textile materials, non-combustible fiber materials, and applied products.
■ I.S.T's Initiatives for Women's Advancement
Our company is constantly challenging itself with new research and development, and approximately one-third of all employees are engaged in R&D and technological development. Female employees also play an active role as top runners, with 15% of them leading the organization as managers. To respond to the desire to 'cherish both career and family,' we have prepared an environment where it is easy to use maternity and childcare leave systems. The childcare leave acquisition rate and the rate of return from childcare leave (for women) have both been 100% over the past three years. Additionally, we are working to realize flexible work styles by introducing staggered working hours and telecommuting systems.
This time, the Company was highly evaluated for its high proportion of female regular workers, the active participation of many women on the front lines, the steady progress in developing and appointing female leaders who participate in organizational management as managers, and the establishment of an environment that supports career development through systems that assist in transitioning to regular employment. As a result, we have acquired the highest category of 'Eruboshi (Level 3) Certification.'
Going forward, we aim not only to create a better workplace environment where all employees can thrive but also to contribute to the local community through chemistry.
■ What is the 'Eruboshi' Certification?
It is a certification system granted to companies that meet certain standards in five evaluation items—recruitment, continued employment, working hours, ratio of managers, and diverse career paths—based on the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace, and whose initiatives to promote women's advancement are recognized as excellent.
■ About I.S.T Corporation
With the mission of 'making the impossible possible,' we are a material brand that creates the future with high technological capabilities, consistently handling everything from the research and development of high-value-added materials and their manufacturing technologies, manufacturing equipment, inspection technologies, and inspection equipment to their manufacturing and sales. We independently develop polyimide resin, a representative highly heat-resistant material; high-performance composite fibers combining non-combustibility, high strength, and high durability; and high-value-added fiber materials such as wool, cotton, and hemp using special spinning technologies. Our internally developed toner-fixing tubes for laser printers still hold a global market share of over 70% (including technology provision) today, 35 years after their launch.
In addition to providing materials to customers across industry boundaries regardless of whether they are overseas or domestic, we also develop consumer businesses such as tailors and custom-made golf shafts for discerning customers. Centered on high-performance materials born from our development technologies, we are expanding our business into multiple fields 'from raw materials to finished products' and 'to all fields.'
Company Name: I.S.T Corporation
Establishment Date: June 1983
Representative: Toshiko Sakane, President and Representative Director
Location: 5-13-13 Ichiriyama, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture (Headquarters and Research Laboratory)
Business Description: Research, development, and manufacturing of new materials and products centered on high-performance polymer materials based on polyimide resin, transparent polyimide roll films, high-strength polyimide fibers, fiber-reinforced composite materials, negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, functional components for OA equipment, various textile materials, non-combustible fiber materials, and applied products.