LIXIL Housing Research Institute Holds 2026 Entrance Ceremony

**LIXIL Housing Research Institute, Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Nobuhiko Kashima) held an entrance ceremony on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, for three new employees joining the company in April 2026.**

**◆ Message to New Employees from President Kashima**

**1. The "Essence of a Professional" Cultivated in the Field** Your careers will begin on the front lines, in the field. In today's world, overflowing with superficial information from AI and social media, it is crucial to gain "three-dimensional experience" and a "sense of reality" in the field, and to learn what "authentic homebuilding" truly is. Work is never a smooth, flat path. At first, you will face a continuous series of "things you cannot do." However, the process of overcoming these walls one by one is the true thrill of work, ultimately leading to responsibility, authority, and reward. Treat your time spent gaining field experience as an "investment in yourself" and boldly take on challenges. Furthermore, please provide frank feedback on the issues you observe from the field regarding the headquarters. These insights will make our company stronger.

**2. Diversification and Challenge in a Time of Transformation** Currently, the housing industry is at a turning point marked by a shrinking new construction market. The focus moving forward is on "improving the performance" (insulation and airtightness) of the 50 to 60 million existing homes in Japan. This is an essential initiative for realizing a carbon-neutral society by 2050.

To contribute to this goal, we launched the detached home renovation VC (Voluntary Chain) brand "DUUO" in January of this year. We are also accelerating the growth of "YUIE," a VC brand for new homes released the year before last, as well as our non-residential wooden structure business, actively promoting the "diversification and multi-layering" of our operations.

I expect you, our new employees, to break free from existing frameworks and grow into leaders who will drive the builders and construction firms of the future. Together, let's create the standard for a new era.

After completing their initial training period, the new employees will be assigned to franchise stores or directly managed stores, where they are scheduled to gain field experience for two years.

[2026 New Employees] Total: 3 people

**◆ Company Overview** Company Name: LIXIL Housing Research Institute, Ltd. Representative: Nobuhiko Kashima, President and CEO Headquarters: Osaki Garden Tower, 1-1-1 Nishi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0033 URL: [LIXIL Housing Research Institute, Ltd.] https://www.lixil-jk.co.jp/

We are a member of the LIXIL Group, which engages in comprehensive housing and living-related businesses, including the manufacturing and sales of housing and building materials and equipment, as well as the operation of housing franchise chains. We operate one of Japan's largest housing network businesses, managing three brands—Eyeful Home, Fiace Home, and GL Home—as our housing franchise chain business. We also develop the "YUIE PROJECT" as a voluntary chain (VC) business for new housing, and "DUUO" as a VC business for detached home renovation.