Gion Participates in Panel Discussion "HRM Strategy for Logistics Companies" at Japan Truck Show 2026

Gion Co., Ltd. (headquarters: Sagamihara, Kanagawa; President: Binnosuke Gion; hereinafter "Gion"), a comprehensive logistics company, announced that its Senior Executive Officer and General Manager of Administration, Ryohei Sudo, participated in the special panel discussion "HRM (Human Resource Management) Strategy for Logistics Companies" at Japan Truck Show 2026, held on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at Pacifico Yokohama.

The panel discussion included Gion, Asahi Logistics Co., Ltd., and Kao Logistics Co., Ltd. The three companies discussed human resource challenges facing the logistics industry, such as driver shortages, talent development, and engagement improvement, based on their respective practical examples.

Gion presented the message that "engagement can be structurally designed" and introduced an approach that treats engagement as a system rather than relying on emotions.

■ Event Overview

Title: HRM (Human Resource Management) Strategy for Logistics Companies
Date & Time: Thursday, May 14, 2026, 12:00-13:00
Venue: Pacifico Yokohama Annex Hall (Japan Truck Show 2026 First Venue)

Organizer: International Logistics Research Institute (General Incorporated Association)

【Panelists】

Moderator: Keiichi Sengoku, Chief Researcher, International Logistics Research Institute

Panelist: Ken Inoue, Director, Recruitment and Development Division, Human Resources Headquarters, Asahi Logistics Co., Ltd.

Panelist: Hirotaka Onda, Director, Human Resource Development Department, Kao Logistics Co., Ltd.

Panelist: Ryohei Sudo, Senior Executive Officer and General Manager of Administration, Gion Co., Ltd.

"Japan Truck Show 2026" is the largest exhibition in the logistics industry, themed "The Future of Sustainable Logistics." The organizer's special lecture featured programs that offer multifaceted learning about the industry's present and future, including logistics DX, GX, human resource acquisition, and responses to the 2030 problem.

■ Event Highlights

During the panel discussion, participants exchanged opinions on practical examples covering themes such as "training inexperienced workers," "increasing female drivers," "developing managers," and "improving engagement."

Gion presented its HRM strategy based on the concept of "widening the entrance and reducing the exit," introducing its human resource strategy and organizational development across four themes: recruitment, retention, visualization, and productivity/training.

1. Recruitment: Widening the Entrance

In recruitment, Gion has promoted a recruitment funnel that does not rely solely on job posting sites, focusing on three axes: "owned media," "real-world touchpoints," and "referrals." Specific measures include sharing real internal scenes through media such as note, social media, and TikTok; visiting high schools and participating in local events; and strengthening referral hiring.

As a result, these efforts have significantly contributed to high school recruitment, and at the Osaka base, 44 drivers were hired through referrals over two years. The consistent outreach and touchpoint creation are beginning to show results.

2. Retention: Reducing the Exit

Gion has gradually increased annual holidays from 105 to 115, and then to 120 days, and implemented a base salary increase of up to 33% over FY2024-2026. Following a policy of "aiming for the all-industry average, not just the logistics industry average," the company is improving compensation.

3. Visualization and Management

An engagement survey targeting approximately 4,000 employees achieved a response rate increase from 85% to 90%. Using tools, the company established a cycle of "data visualization → dialogue → improvement," enabling management and HR to discuss issues and improvement measures while looking at the same numbers. This has led to reduced turnover rates and improved trust in supervisors/management and job satisfaction.

Additionally, Gion has implemented initiatives to foster a culture of recognition, such as the "Team Improvement Award" for teams that worked on engagement improvement, and the "Value Award" given to employees who best embody the company's six values. For the "Value Award," approximately 2,000 employees voted to select winners.

4. Productivity and Training

Gion annually holds its corporate university "Gion Juku," established to develop professional talent and cultivate future leaders for the Gion Group. Various training programs have been expanded, promoting an organizational culture of "developing those who develop others."

Details are also available on the official note: https://note.com/quiet_tern6604/n/n1fd11179fb58

■ Comments

＜Ryohei Sudo, Senior Executive Officer and General Manager of Administration, Gion Co., Ltd.＞

The logistics industry currently faces many challenges, including driver shortages, aging, recruitment and retention of talent, and long working hours. At the same time, it is an industry with a very important role and value as social infrastructure supporting people's lives and the economy.

During this discussion, we received several questions about recruitment and retention measures. For our company, these are not easy-to-solve topics; we continue to experiment and take on various challenges year after year, including human resource development, work style reforms, and workplace improvements.

What I feel is particularly important is not only our own efforts but also correctly communicating the appeal and social value of the logistics industry itself to more people. Getting even one more person interested in the logistics industry and joining us as a colleague will lead to the future of the entire industry.

Moreover, the challenges of the logistics industry cannot be solved by a single company alone. I believe it is important to share knowledge and initiatives across the industry, including competitors, and work together to energize the logistics industry. Going forward, we will continue our own challenges while cooperating with other companies to keep communicating the appeal and potential of the logistics industry.

About Gion Group

Headquartered in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Gion is a comprehensive logistics company with the mission "Creating the future through the power of transport." With a concept of "things essential to people's lives," its core 3PL (third-party logistics) business handles a wide range of logistics, primarily food, and is expanding into the "environment" and "health" fields. The company operates over 100 locations nationwide.

[Gion Co., Ltd.]

Representative: Binnosuke Gion, President and Representative Director

Head office: 1-5-1 Minamihashimoto, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa

Business description: General regional freight transport business, motor vehicle transport handling business, warehouse leasing and storage services, general cargo packaging operations, etc.

URL: https://kk-gion.co.jp/