Attention on the "Third Wage Increase" | Centralizing Benefits for Seamless Health Management
Kort Valuta Inc. has provided its next-generation wallet 'TwooCa' to Hokuto Engineering Co., Ltd. to centralize employee benefits and advance health management. This initiative, often referred to as the 'third wage increase,' aims to improve employee engagement and retention by offering points exchangeable for electronic money and a voice-based mental health check feature.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 15, 2026 at 19:36 (6h 5m after Collected)
Kort Valuta Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Hideki Shibata, hereinafter "the Company") announces that it has provided and implemented the next-generation*1 wallet "TwooCa" for Hokuto Engineering Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Katsushika-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Kanenori Ishii, hereinafter "Hokuto Engineering") with the aim of centralizing welfare benefits and advancing employee health management.
■ Background
In the construction consulting industry, as the importance of securing and retaining human resources increases, creating an environment where employees can work with peace of mind and enriching welfare benefits are crucial elements in improving corporate value.
Hokuto Engineering has promoted the creation of a comfortable work environment under the philosophy of "Employee First," respecting the individuality of each employee. They have implemented diverse initiatives such as supporting sports clubs, internal training, and assistance for acquiring qualifications.
On the other hand, because each initiative was operated individually, there was an issue of inconsistency in their penetration and utilization among employees.
In response to these challenges, the Company believes that internal campaigns utilizing the awarding of points exchangeable for electronic money on TwooCa, along with the mental check function, will contribute to simplifying and centralizing the management of welfare benefits. In addition, the point initiatives are expected to support an "effective increase in take-home pay"*2 for employees, leading to improved ES (Employee Satisfaction) and reduced turnover rates. While high prices continue, such initiatives, referred to as the "third wage increase*3," are garnering attention, primarily in the media.
Our company's initiatives were featured on TOKYO MX News as an effort to "effectively increase take-home pay" utilizing electronic money. ▶ Click here for the featured content
■ Overview
With this implementation, Hokuto Engineering will consolidate various initiatives onto the TwooCa app, establishing an environment that employees can easily utilize on a daily basis.
Specifically, the following initiatives will be implemented:
● Internal Campaigns (Point Awarding)
A system will be introduced to award points that can be used as electronic money in response to employees' efforts toward improving the workplace environment, self-growth, and health awareness. The awarded points can be used for everyday cashless payments through the payment function of an international brand card. It is designed so that employees can easily realize the value in their daily lives, leading to an "effective increase in take-home pay."
In this initiative, points are designed to be awarded to employees based on the number of mental checks conducted on the TwooCa app, promoting health awareness and the establishment of behaviors.
● Voice-based Mental Check
The TwooCa mental check service, which visualizes mental condition based on voice data, will be introduced to support the simple grasping of employees' health management and daily states.
Since the accumulation of stress can lead to decreased work efficiency and an increased turnover rate, companies are required to continuously understand the status of their employees and take appropriate measures.
In the TwooCa mental check service, the mental state is simply analyzed by inputting voice for a few seconds on the TwooCa app, and the results are fed back to the individual employee in real time. Furthermore, on the administrator side, we believe it will help visualize changes in the condition of the entire organization through a mechanism that can grasp overall trends.
This supports the habituation of employees' own self-checks and early awareness and response by the company.
■ Comments on this Initiative
Mr. Daisuke Ochi, Senior Managing Director, Hokuto Engineering Co., Ltd.:
This initiative further advances the creation of an environment where each and every employee can continue to work with peace of mind. Under the "Employee First" philosophy, Hokuto Engineering has implemented diverse measures thus far, but we believe that a mechanism that is utilized on a daily basis is important for them to function more effectively.
By introducing TwooCa, we will aim to create an organization that is easier to work in and more rewarding by visualizing employee conditions and establishing an environment where health management and daily efforts are connected.
■ What is TwooCa?
TwooCa is a collective term for the various services provided by our company, and the main services are provided through the TwooCa app, which is equipped with an employee ID / membership card with the payment function of an international brand card. The payment function-equipped card linked to the app is prepaid, so it can be used by all employees and members (*limited to residents in Japan). In addition, expense transfers and remittances between employees/members can also be performed.
Furthermore, TwooCa was developed based on the idea that valuing employees and members leads to an improvement in the value of the company or organization. The philosophy of "compassion is not for others (caring behavior for others will eventually become the strength of the organization or society)" is materialized through technology.
View TwooCa service details
[List of TwooCa Functions]
Electronic payment (supports contactless payment with international brand cards)
Point awarding utilizing digital money (evaluating the daily actions and contributions of employees and members*)
*Limited to those for welfare purposes that do not fall under wages under the Labor Standards Act.
Closed mall for the workplace (a limited mall that can only be used by employees and members of companies/organizations that have introduced TwooCa)
Employee ID / membership card with an IC chip
Remittance/transfer between employees/members
Attendance management
Questionnaire log management (continuously receiving, accumulating, and grasping the voices of employees and members)
Bulletin board (disseminating information from the company/organization for smooth information sharing)
Voice-based mental check service (health management and grasping daily conditions of employees and members)
Thanks message (a mechanism for employees/members to express gratitude and praise to each other / option)
In addition, we are continually expanding services that make people think "it would be nice to have."
■ Future Outlook
Starting from this implementation, Hokuto Engineering will strive to advance employee health management and promote the utilization of internal measures.
Through the operation of various measures utilizing TwooCa, the company plans to visualize the condition of employees and link this to grasping the state of the entire organization and improving engagement.
Meanwhile, our company will continue to support corporate initiatives through TwooCa and promote service development to realize more flexible value provision.
*1 "Next-generation" refers to a service design concept where the actions of employees and members are awarded as points that can be exchanged for electronic money usable for payments, creating a unique economic sphere by returning them to daily use. TwooCa is a collective term for various services provided by the Company, and the main services are provided through the TwooCa app equipped with an employee ID/membership card with the payment function of an international brand card.
*2 Please note that for employees, the awarded points that can be exchanged for electronic money may be treated as miscellaneous income or temporary income.
*3 "Third wage increase" is used in the general sense where the "first wage increase" is a regular pay raise, the "second wage increase" is an increase in base pay, and the "third wage increase" is the utilization of welfare benefits.
■ Hokuto Engineering Co., Ltd. Overview
Company Name: Hokuto Engineering Co., Ltd. < https://www.hokuto-eng.com/ >
Location: 2nd Floor, Izumi Building, 3-10-2 Kameari, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo
Representative Director: Kanenori Ishii
Business Overview: Construction consultant
■ Kort Valuta Inc. Overview
Company Name: Kort Valuta Inc. < https://kortvaluta.com >
Location: 4F Shibuya Pine Building, 3-11-2 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Representative Director: Hideki Shibata
Business Overview: Issuance, planning, management, and operation of various cards; development and sales of smart rings
■ Background
In the construction consulting industry, as the importance of securing and retaining human resources increases, creating an environment where employees can work with peace of mind and enriching welfare benefits are crucial elements in improving corporate value.
Hokuto Engineering has promoted the creation of a comfortable work environment under the philosophy of "Employee First," respecting the individuality of each employee. They have implemented diverse initiatives such as supporting sports clubs, internal training, and assistance for acquiring qualifications.
On the other hand, because each initiative was operated individually, there was an issue of inconsistency in their penetration and utilization among employees.
In response to these challenges, the Company believes that internal campaigns utilizing the awarding of points exchangeable for electronic money on TwooCa, along with the mental check function, will contribute to simplifying and centralizing the management of welfare benefits. In addition, the point initiatives are expected to support an "effective increase in take-home pay"*2 for employees, leading to improved ES (Employee Satisfaction) and reduced turnover rates. While high prices continue, such initiatives, referred to as the "third wage increase*3," are garnering attention, primarily in the media.
Our company's initiatives were featured on TOKYO MX News as an effort to "effectively increase take-home pay" utilizing electronic money. ▶ Click here for the featured content
■ Overview
With this implementation, Hokuto Engineering will consolidate various initiatives onto the TwooCa app, establishing an environment that employees can easily utilize on a daily basis.
Specifically, the following initiatives will be implemented:
● Internal Campaigns (Point Awarding)
A system will be introduced to award points that can be used as electronic money in response to employees' efforts toward improving the workplace environment, self-growth, and health awareness. The awarded points can be used for everyday cashless payments through the payment function of an international brand card. It is designed so that employees can easily realize the value in their daily lives, leading to an "effective increase in take-home pay."
In this initiative, points are designed to be awarded to employees based on the number of mental checks conducted on the TwooCa app, promoting health awareness and the establishment of behaviors.
● Voice-based Mental Check
The TwooCa mental check service, which visualizes mental condition based on voice data, will be introduced to support the simple grasping of employees' health management and daily states.
Since the accumulation of stress can lead to decreased work efficiency and an increased turnover rate, companies are required to continuously understand the status of their employees and take appropriate measures.
In the TwooCa mental check service, the mental state is simply analyzed by inputting voice for a few seconds on the TwooCa app, and the results are fed back to the individual employee in real time. Furthermore, on the administrator side, we believe it will help visualize changes in the condition of the entire organization through a mechanism that can grasp overall trends.
This supports the habituation of employees' own self-checks and early awareness and response by the company.
■ Comments on this Initiative
Mr. Daisuke Ochi, Senior Managing Director, Hokuto Engineering Co., Ltd.:
This initiative further advances the creation of an environment where each and every employee can continue to work with peace of mind. Under the "Employee First" philosophy, Hokuto Engineering has implemented diverse measures thus far, but we believe that a mechanism that is utilized on a daily basis is important for them to function more effectively.
By introducing TwooCa, we will aim to create an organization that is easier to work in and more rewarding by visualizing employee conditions and establishing an environment where health management and daily efforts are connected.
■ What is TwooCa?
TwooCa is a collective term for the various services provided by our company, and the main services are provided through the TwooCa app, which is equipped with an employee ID / membership card with the payment function of an international brand card. The payment function-equipped card linked to the app is prepaid, so it can be used by all employees and members (*limited to residents in Japan). In addition, expense transfers and remittances between employees/members can also be performed.
Furthermore, TwooCa was developed based on the idea that valuing employees and members leads to an improvement in the value of the company or organization. The philosophy of "compassion is not for others (caring behavior for others will eventually become the strength of the organization or society)" is materialized through technology.
View TwooCa service details
[List of TwooCa Functions]
Electronic payment (supports contactless payment with international brand cards)
Point awarding utilizing digital money (evaluating the daily actions and contributions of employees and members*)
*Limited to those for welfare purposes that do not fall under wages under the Labor Standards Act.
Closed mall for the workplace (a limited mall that can only be used by employees and members of companies/organizations that have introduced TwooCa)
Employee ID / membership card with an IC chip
Remittance/transfer between employees/members
Attendance management
Questionnaire log management (continuously receiving, accumulating, and grasping the voices of employees and members)
Bulletin board (disseminating information from the company/organization for smooth information sharing)
Voice-based mental check service (health management and grasping daily conditions of employees and members)
Thanks message (a mechanism for employees/members to express gratitude and praise to each other / option)
In addition, we are continually expanding services that make people think "it would be nice to have."
■ Future Outlook
Starting from this implementation, Hokuto Engineering will strive to advance employee health management and promote the utilization of internal measures.
Through the operation of various measures utilizing TwooCa, the company plans to visualize the condition of employees and link this to grasping the state of the entire organization and improving engagement.
Meanwhile, our company will continue to support corporate initiatives through TwooCa and promote service development to realize more flexible value provision.
*1 "Next-generation" refers to a service design concept where the actions of employees and members are awarded as points that can be exchanged for electronic money usable for payments, creating a unique economic sphere by returning them to daily use. TwooCa is a collective term for various services provided by the Company, and the main services are provided through the TwooCa app equipped with an employee ID/membership card with the payment function of an international brand card.
*2 Please note that for employees, the awarded points that can be exchanged for electronic money may be treated as miscellaneous income or temporary income.
*3 "Third wage increase" is used in the general sense where the "first wage increase" is a regular pay raise, the "second wage increase" is an increase in base pay, and the "third wage increase" is the utilization of welfare benefits.
■ Hokuto Engineering Co., Ltd. Overview
Company Name: Hokuto Engineering Co., Ltd. < https://www.hokuto-eng.com/ >
Location: 2nd Floor, Izumi Building, 3-10-2 Kameari, Katsushika-ku, Tokyo
Representative Director: Kanenori Ishii
Business Overview: Construction consultant
■ Kort Valuta Inc. Overview
Company Name: Kort Valuta Inc. < https://kortvaluta.com >
Location: 4F Shibuya Pine Building, 3-11-2 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Representative Director: Hideki Shibata
Business Overview: Issuance, planning, management, and operation of various cards; development and sales of smart rings