'Take a Step Forward with Baseless Confidence': Kohei Uchimura's Message to Joycal Japan's New Employees
Joycal Japan held its 2026 entrance ceremony, featuring former pro gymnast Kohei Uchimura, who encouraged new hires to step forward with 'baseless confidence.'
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 01:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 2, 2026 at 19:35
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 07:18 (443h 42m after Collected)
Joycal Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo / Representative Director and CEO: Yukio Hayakawa; hereinafter: Joycal Japan) held the entrance ceremony for its incoming class of 2026 on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. The ceremony was attended by former professional gymnast Kohei Uchimura, with whom the company has a sponsorship agreement, and he delivered a special message to the new employees.
## Comments for the Entrance Ceremony | Special Guest Kohei Uchimura
Congratulations on joining the company. During my active career, I had a sponsorship agreement with Joycal Japan. Since retiring, I have been engaging in activities to convey to new employees the idea that the motivation and mindset I used to aim for the top of the world as a gymnast can also be applied in business.
I remember joining a sports club 15 years ago and having my own entrance ceremony. At that time, the Great East Japan Earthquake had occurred, and I believe the ceremony was postponed for about two months. What I felt back then was uncertainty—I didn't know if it was okay to keep doing gymnastics or if there would even be competitions anymore. I was groping in the dark with zero clarity. I think this is very similar to the situation you all are in right now. I imagine you have little visibility into how you will develop or what kind of work you will actually be doing after joining today.
However, because you are all still young, I think you probably possess a kind of 'baseless confidence.' It's an age where you're just naturally brimming with confidence for no apparent reason. Therefore, I believe it is incredibly important to muster your courage and take a step forward with that baseless confidence. I want you to channel this energy—which you only have when you're young—into your work and give it your all. I also want to support you as much as I can, so let's do our best together.
## Comments for the Entrance Ceremony | Joycal Japan Co., Ltd. Representative Director and CEO Yukio Hayakawa
## Comments for the Entrance Ceremony | Special Guest Kohei Uchimura
Congratulations on joining the company. During my active career, I had a sponsorship agreement with Joycal Japan. Since retiring, I have been engaging in activities to convey to new employees the idea that the motivation and mindset I used to aim for the top of the world as a gymnast can also be applied in business.
I remember joining a sports club 15 years ago and having my own entrance ceremony. At that time, the Great East Japan Earthquake had occurred, and I believe the ceremony was postponed for about two months. What I felt back then was uncertainty—I didn't know if it was okay to keep doing gymnastics or if there would even be competitions anymore. I was groping in the dark with zero clarity. I think this is very similar to the situation you all are in right now. I imagine you have little visibility into how you will develop or what kind of work you will actually be doing after joining today.
However, because you are all still young, I think you probably possess a kind of 'baseless confidence.' It's an age where you're just naturally brimming with confidence for no apparent reason. Therefore, I believe it is incredibly important to muster your courage and take a step forward with that baseless confidence. I want you to channel this energy—which you only have when you're young—into your work and give it your all. I also want to support you as much as I can, so let's do our best together.
## Comments for the Entrance Ceremony | Joycal Japan Co., Ltd. Representative Director and CEO Yukio Hayakawa