I.S.T. Kami Co., Ltd. Receives 'Eruboshi' Certification Based on the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace
I.S.T. Kami Co., Ltd., a group company and primary manufacturing plant of I.S.T. Corporation, has been awarded the highest 3-star 'Eruboshi' certification. This recognition acknowledges the company's commitment to fostering a workplace where women thrive through flexible work arrangements, high management participation, and strong support for career development.
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- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 19:00
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I.S.T. Corporation (Headquarters: Otsu, Shiga Prefecture; President: Toshiko Sakane), which develops, manufactures, and sells high-performance materials such as polyimide resin, is pleased to announce that its group company and primary manufacturing plant, I.S.T. Kami Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Taka-gun, Hyogo Prefecture; President: Toshiko Sakane; hereinafter "the Company"), has received the third (highest) level of certification under the "Eruboshi" system, based on the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace.
■ I.S.T.'s Initiatives for Women's Empowerment
At our company, we are constantly taking on the challenge of new research and development, with approximately one-third of all employees engaged in R&D and technical development. Female employees are active as top runners, and 15% of them hold management positions, leading the organization. To support the desire to "value both career and family," we have established an environment where maternity and childcare leave systems are easy to utilize. Over the past three years, both the childcare leave acquisition rate and the return-to-work rate for female employees have been 100%. Furthermore, we are working to realize flexible work styles through the introduction of staggered working hours and telecommuting systems.
We have been awarded the top-tier "Eruboshi (3rd level) certification" in recognition of several factors: a high ratio of women among our regular employees, with many working on the front lines; the steady progress in training and promoting female employees to management positions where they participate in organizational operations; and the development of systems that support transitions to regular employment and foster career growth.
Moving forward, we will continue to strive 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 "Eruboshi" Certification?
Based on the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace, this is a certification system granted to companies that meet certain criteria across five evaluation categories—hiring, continued employment, working hours, ratio of women in management, and diverse career paths—and are recognized for their excellent initiatives in promoting the advancement of women.
■ About I.S.T. Corporation
With the mission of "Making the Impossible Possible," our company is a material brand that creates the future through high technical capabilities, handling everything from research and development to manufacturing and sales of high-value-added materials, manufacturing equipment, inspection technologies, and inspection devices. We independently develop high-value-added fiber materials such as polyimide resin (a representative high-heat-resistant material), high-performance composite fibers that combine non-flammability, high strength, and high durability, and wool, cotton, and linen produced through special spinning technologies. Our self-developed toner fixing tubes for laser printers have held a global market share of over 70% (including technology licensing) for 35 years since their launch.
In addition to providing materials to customers across industry boundaries both domestically and internationally, we also operate consumer businesses such as tailoring for discerning customers and custom-made golf shafts. Centered on high-performance materials born from our development technology, we are expanding our business into multiple fields, moving "from raw materials to finished products" and "into every field."
Company Name: I.S.T. Corporation
Establishment Date: June 1983
Representative: Toshiko Sakane, President and Representative Director
Location: 5-13-13 Ichiriyama, Otsu, Shiga (Headquarters/Research Institute)
Business Description: Research, development, and manufacturing of new materials and products, focusing on high-performance polymer materials centered on polyimide resin, transparent polyimide roll film, high-strength polyimide fiber, fiber-reinforced composite materials, negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, functional components for office equipment, various textile materials, non-flammable fiber materials, and applied products.
Corporate Website: https://www.istcorp.jp/
■ I.S.T.'s Initiatives for Women's Empowerment
At our company, we are constantly taking on the challenge of new research and development, with approximately one-third of all employees engaged in R&D and technical development. Female employees are active as top runners, and 15% of them hold management positions, leading the organization. To support the desire to "value both career and family," we have established an environment where maternity and childcare leave systems are easy to utilize. Over the past three years, both the childcare leave acquisition rate and the return-to-work rate for female employees have been 100%. Furthermore, we are working to realize flexible work styles through the introduction of staggered working hours and telecommuting systems.
We have been awarded the top-tier "Eruboshi (3rd level) certification" in recognition of several factors: a high ratio of women among our regular employees, with many working on the front lines; the steady progress in training and promoting female employees to management positions where they participate in organizational operations; and the development of systems that support transitions to regular employment and foster career growth.
Moving forward, we will continue to strive 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 "Eruboshi" Certification?
Based on the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace, this is a certification system granted to companies that meet certain criteria across five evaluation categories—hiring, continued employment, working hours, ratio of women in management, and diverse career paths—and are recognized for their excellent initiatives in promoting the advancement of women.
■ About I.S.T. Corporation
With the mission of "Making the Impossible Possible," our company is a material brand that creates the future through high technical capabilities, handling everything from research and development to manufacturing and sales of high-value-added materials, manufacturing equipment, inspection technologies, and inspection devices. We independently develop high-value-added fiber materials such as polyimide resin (a representative high-heat-resistant material), high-performance composite fibers that combine non-flammability, high strength, and high durability, and wool, cotton, and linen produced through special spinning technologies. Our self-developed toner fixing tubes for laser printers have held a global market share of over 70% (including technology licensing) for 35 years since their launch.
In addition to providing materials to customers across industry boundaries both domestically and internationally, we also operate consumer businesses such as tailoring for discerning customers and custom-made golf shafts. Centered on high-performance materials born from our development technology, we are expanding our business into multiple fields, moving "from raw materials to finished products" and "into every field."
Company Name: I.S.T. Corporation
Establishment Date: June 1983
Representative: Toshiko Sakane, President and Representative Director
Location: 5-13-13 Ichiriyama, Otsu, Shiga (Headquarters/Research Institute)
Business Description: Research, development, and manufacturing of new materials and products, focusing on high-performance polymer materials centered on polyimide resin, transparent polyimide roll film, high-strength polyimide fiber, fiber-reinforced composite materials, negative electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, functional components for office equipment, various textile materials, non-flammable fiber materials, and applied products.
Corporate Website: https://www.istcorp.jp/