Lively CEO Eri Oka and Forbes JAPAN Web Editor-in-Chief Yuka Tanimoto Discuss "Strategic Dialogue Beyond Listening" — Event Achieves 100% Satisfaction
Lively Inc. hosted its first "Active Listening Talks" event, featuring Forbes JAPAN's Yuka Tanimoto, to discuss communication techniques for the AI era. The dialogue, themed "Strategic Dialogue Beyond Listening," explored the value of human connection and active listening. The event was a major success, achieving a 100% satisfaction rate among attendees.
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Lively Inc. (Location: Fujisawa, Kanagawa; CEO: Eri Oka) held the first installment of its talk event series, "Active Listening Talks (ALT) Vol. 1," in Shinjuku, Tokyo on Friday, February 13, 2026. The event featured Yuka Tanimoto, Web Editor-in-Chief of Forbes JAPAN, as a guest for an approximately 90-minute dialogue on the theme of "Strategic Dialogue Beyond Listening," with all participants responding in a survey that they were "satisfied" or better.
Key Points of This Press Release
・On February 13, 2026, Lively Inc. held the first "Active Listening Talks" event in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
・The guest was Yuka Tanimoto, Forbes JAPAN Web Editor-in-Chief (with a track record of interviewing over 3,000 VIPs and author of "Active Listening").
・The theme was "Strategic Dialogue Beyond Listening"—communication techniques to make people want to be heard by a human in the age of AI.
・All participants rated the event "satisfied" or higher in a survey (61% "very satisfied," 39% "satisfied").
What is Active Listening Talks (ALT)?
Active Listening Talks (ALT) is a monthly talk event series hosted by Lively Inc. Guest lecturers active in various fields and Lively's CEO, Eri Oka (an active listening specialist), delve deep into themes in a dialogue format. The aim is to explore the value and practice of "listening" from diverse perspectives, such as those of interviewers, educators, and managers.
Active Listening is a communication technique that involves actively receiving not just the other person's words, but also their emotions, intentions, and background. Originating from the concept proposed by clinical psychologist Carl Rogers, it is utilized in a wide range of fields including business, education, healthcare, and daily conversation.
Event Overview
Event Name: Active Listening Talks (ALT) Vol. 1
Theme: Strategic Dialogue Beyond "Listening"—The Listening Style of Chosen People that Moves Others
Date/Time: Friday, February 13, 2026, 14:00–15:30 (Networking session 15:30–16:30)
Venue: NT Goburin (5-10-14 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
Organizer: Lively Inc.
Event Content Summary
1. The Condition for "Wanting a Human to Listen" in the AI Era
As conversational AI (like ChatGPT) rapidly becomes widespread, Ms. Tanimoto frankly stated, "With current technology, AI has the upper hand when it comes to listening." AI listens to the end without noise, keeps secrets, and provides the best answers. What's necessary to continue being chosen over AI is her unique active listening system, composed of over 40 methods in three stages: preparation, the main event, and follow-up.
2. Preparation is the "Ultimate Respect"—The Philosophy of Thorough Preliminary Research
To get a scoop from a VIP in a limited time of 5-15 minutes, she thoroughly investigates the person from every angle. For an interview with a former foreign prime minister, she went beyond the "media and prime minister" framework to connect as a human. For a world-famous investor, she brought all varieties of Japan-exclusive Coke and Hello Kitty merchandise at her own expense. "This isn't a strategy, but an action from a pure desire to make the other person happy," Ms. Tanimoto said.
3. Self-Awareness First—The Importance of Having Your "Own Instruction Manual"
She emphasized the importance of knowing yourself before any technique. The first step is to grasp "how you are seen by society" using the Johari Window. Through dialogue with Eri Oka, a commonality with Carl Rogers' concept of "congruence" (being authentic and without falsehood) was highlighted.
4. Environment Design and After-Follow—The Art of "Designing" the Scene
She introduced the perspective of after-follow, noting that true feelings often come out in unguarded moments like "in the elevator hall after the microphone is off." For an interview with a company's top executive, she prepared a space in a windowless basement with only a single spotlight, demonstrating that designing an "environment where it's easy to speak the truth" is also part of the art of dialogue.
5. The Essence of Active Listening—"A Cycle of Affection"
The dialogue concluded with the message that "affection for the other person" underlies everything—interviewing techniques, listening skills, and self-awareness. It showed the essence of active listening as a universal skill applicable to any situation, including 1-on-1s, hiring interviews, daily conversations, and counseling.
Participant Survey Results
Overall Satisfaction: All participants answered "Satisfied" or higher.
"Very Satisfied" 61% / "Satisfied" 39% / Total Satisfied or higher: 100%
Participant Feedback (Excerpts from free responses)
"The phrase 'Preparation is not a strategy, but the ultimate respect for the other person' resonated with me."
"Strategy is also a means to know the other person, and the foundation is love—I felt that single statement contained everything."
"The phrase 'a cycle of affection' between people was impressive. I truly believe that."
"Eri-san's story about her grandfather, which sparked her realization of the importance of listening, and Tanimoto-san's words, 'Preparation is the ultimate respect,' really struck a chord."
Background: Growing Social Demand for Active Listening
Interest in "the ability to listen" is growing on both individual and organizational levels.
Individual Level:
With the spread of conversational AI, the value of "being listened to by a human" is being re-examined. On the other hand, the demand for listening and dialogue by humans as a means to deepen spiritual connections and self-understanding remains strong.
Organizational Level:
Issues stemming from a lack of "listening ability" are becoming apparent in companies, such as the formalization of 1-on-1 meetings, declines in hiring and retention rates, mental health challenges (presenteeism), and a decline in management quality. Active listening is gaining attention as a solution to a wide range of organizational issues, including strengthening sales capabilities, enhancing recruitment, improving engagement, and preventing harassment.
Active Listening Talks is an event series launched against this social backdrop with the aim of disseminating "active listening" as practical knowledge.
Future Developments
Active Listening Talks are scheduled to be held monthly.
Vol. 2: March 2026 - Tomokazu Oyano, Education Critic
Vol. 3: April 2026 - Aya Komaki, President and CEO of Sanrio Entertainment
By welcoming guests from different fields such as journalism, education, and entertainment, the series will explore the diverse practices of "listening" each time.
Speaker Profiles
Yuka Tanimoto / Forbes JAPAN Web Editor-in-Chief
After joining Yamaichi Securities, she served as a financial and economic anchor for Bloomberg TV, conducting interviews with over 3,000 VIPs and executives from Japan and abroad. She joined Forbes JAPAN in 2016. Her books include "Active Listening: Turning 'Can't Listen' into 'Can Do'" and many others. She is known as the person who first publicly popularized the term "active listening" in Japan.
Eri Oka / CEO, Lively Inc.
After working as an occupational therapist in psychiatry and home-visit rehabilitation, she became convinced of the importance of "listening" in communication and founded Lively Inc. in 2020. She manages the listening service "LivelyTalk," conducts certified courses for the Active Listening Association, provides corporate training and EAP implementation support, and runs the "Listening Work Lab" community.
Key Points of This Press Release
・On February 13, 2026, Lively Inc. held the first "Active Listening Talks" event in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
・The guest was Yuka Tanimoto, Forbes JAPAN Web Editor-in-Chief (with a track record of interviewing over 3,000 VIPs and author of "Active Listening").
・The theme was "Strategic Dialogue Beyond Listening"—communication techniques to make people want to be heard by a human in the age of AI.
・All participants rated the event "satisfied" or higher in a survey (61% "very satisfied," 39% "satisfied").
What is Active Listening Talks (ALT)?
Active Listening Talks (ALT) is a monthly talk event series hosted by Lively Inc. Guest lecturers active in various fields and Lively's CEO, Eri Oka (an active listening specialist), delve deep into themes in a dialogue format. The aim is to explore the value and practice of "listening" from diverse perspectives, such as those of interviewers, educators, and managers.
Active Listening is a communication technique that involves actively receiving not just the other person's words, but also their emotions, intentions, and background. Originating from the concept proposed by clinical psychologist Carl Rogers, it is utilized in a wide range of fields including business, education, healthcare, and daily conversation.
Event Overview
Event Name: Active Listening Talks (ALT) Vol. 1
Theme: Strategic Dialogue Beyond "Listening"—The Listening Style of Chosen People that Moves Others
Date/Time: Friday, February 13, 2026, 14:00–15:30 (Networking session 15:30–16:30)
Venue: NT Goburin (5-10-14 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo)
Organizer: Lively Inc.
Event Content Summary
1. The Condition for "Wanting a Human to Listen" in the AI Era
As conversational AI (like ChatGPT) rapidly becomes widespread, Ms. Tanimoto frankly stated, "With current technology, AI has the upper hand when it comes to listening." AI listens to the end without noise, keeps secrets, and provides the best answers. What's necessary to continue being chosen over AI is her unique active listening system, composed of over 40 methods in three stages: preparation, the main event, and follow-up.
2. Preparation is the "Ultimate Respect"—The Philosophy of Thorough Preliminary Research
To get a scoop from a VIP in a limited time of 5-15 minutes, she thoroughly investigates the person from every angle. For an interview with a former foreign prime minister, she went beyond the "media and prime minister" framework to connect as a human. For a world-famous investor, she brought all varieties of Japan-exclusive Coke and Hello Kitty merchandise at her own expense. "This isn't a strategy, but an action from a pure desire to make the other person happy," Ms. Tanimoto said.
3. Self-Awareness First—The Importance of Having Your "Own Instruction Manual"
She emphasized the importance of knowing yourself before any technique. The first step is to grasp "how you are seen by society" using the Johari Window. Through dialogue with Eri Oka, a commonality with Carl Rogers' concept of "congruence" (being authentic and without falsehood) was highlighted.
4. Environment Design and After-Follow—The Art of "Designing" the Scene
She introduced the perspective of after-follow, noting that true feelings often come out in unguarded moments like "in the elevator hall after the microphone is off." For an interview with a company's top executive, she prepared a space in a windowless basement with only a single spotlight, demonstrating that designing an "environment where it's easy to speak the truth" is also part of the art of dialogue.
5. The Essence of Active Listening—"A Cycle of Affection"
The dialogue concluded with the message that "affection for the other person" underlies everything—interviewing techniques, listening skills, and self-awareness. It showed the essence of active listening as a universal skill applicable to any situation, including 1-on-1s, hiring interviews, daily conversations, and counseling.
Participant Survey Results
Overall Satisfaction: All participants answered "Satisfied" or higher.
"Very Satisfied" 61% / "Satisfied" 39% / Total Satisfied or higher: 100%
Participant Feedback (Excerpts from free responses)
"The phrase 'Preparation is not a strategy, but the ultimate respect for the other person' resonated with me."
"Strategy is also a means to know the other person, and the foundation is love—I felt that single statement contained everything."
"The phrase 'a cycle of affection' between people was impressive. I truly believe that."
"Eri-san's story about her grandfather, which sparked her realization of the importance of listening, and Tanimoto-san's words, 'Preparation is the ultimate respect,' really struck a chord."
Background: Growing Social Demand for Active Listening
Interest in "the ability to listen" is growing on both individual and organizational levels.
Individual Level:
With the spread of conversational AI, the value of "being listened to by a human" is being re-examined. On the other hand, the demand for listening and dialogue by humans as a means to deepen spiritual connections and self-understanding remains strong.
Organizational Level:
Issues stemming from a lack of "listening ability" are becoming apparent in companies, such as the formalization of 1-on-1 meetings, declines in hiring and retention rates, mental health challenges (presenteeism), and a decline in management quality. Active listening is gaining attention as a solution to a wide range of organizational issues, including strengthening sales capabilities, enhancing recruitment, improving engagement, and preventing harassment.
Active Listening Talks is an event series launched against this social backdrop with the aim of disseminating "active listening" as practical knowledge.
Future Developments
Active Listening Talks are scheduled to be held monthly.
Vol. 2: March 2026 - Tomokazu Oyano, Education Critic
Vol. 3: April 2026 - Aya Komaki, President and CEO of Sanrio Entertainment
By welcoming guests from different fields such as journalism, education, and entertainment, the series will explore the diverse practices of "listening" each time.
Speaker Profiles
Yuka Tanimoto / Forbes JAPAN Web Editor-in-Chief
After joining Yamaichi Securities, she served as a financial and economic anchor for Bloomberg TV, conducting interviews with over 3,000 VIPs and executives from Japan and abroad. She joined Forbes JAPAN in 2016. Her books include "Active Listening: Turning 'Can't Listen' into 'Can Do'" and many others. She is known as the person who first publicly popularized the term "active listening" in Japan.
Eri Oka / CEO, Lively Inc.
After working as an occupational therapist in psychiatry and home-visit rehabilitation, she became convinced of the importance of "listening" in communication and founded Lively Inc. in 2020. She manages the listening service "LivelyTalk," conducts certified courses for the Active Listening Association, provides corporate training and EAP implementation support, and runs the "Listening Work Lab" community.