【Over 550 Million SNS Views】Ending the 'Numbers Game' in the 2.7% Mandatory Employment Rate Era. The 'Disability Employment Version of Job Hunting NEO' Launched, Judging by 'Individual Ability' Alone!

Mental Health Lab Inc. (Headquarters: Shinawaga-ku, Tokyo, Representative Director: Kato Issho) has launched a new initiative, 'Disability Employment Version of Job Hunting NEO,' derived from the popular YouTube program 'Job Hunting NEO,' which has surpassed 500 million cumulative views (Note 1). The first video has been released. Additionally, the company is actively recruiting both 'job seekers' who wish to have their abilities and achievements fairly evaluated and 'participating companies' that aim to promote the active participation of diverse talent and secure outstanding personnel through this initiative.

What is 'Job Hunting NEO'?: A Revolutionary Job Hunting Program That Challenges Conventional Recruitment Norms

Japan's working-age population is steadily declining, with a projected shortage of approximately 6.5 million workers by 2030 (Note 2). For companies, the ability to recruit capable personnel is a critical issue directly tied to corporate value. However, traditional recruitment methods have made it difficult to achieve a substantive match with outstanding talent.

'Job Hunting NEO' is a recruitment program designed to address this challenge. Its key feature is that challengers (job seekers) directly present their 'desired annual income' to a panel of company presidents and promote their own value. They compete against industry leaders on various topics to prove their abilities, and the presidents make hiring decisions based on their value. Successful challengers can receive job offers on the spot through this innovative system. The program aims to produce the toughest professionals in Japan by evaluating current abilities and potential fairly and reflecting them in annual income, without being constrained by academic background or past experiences.

Background and Social Issues of the Launch of 'Disability Employment Version of Job Hunting NEO': Addressing Fundamental Issues in the 2.7% Mandatory Employment Rate Era

In April 2024, the mandatory employment rate for people with disabilities in private companies was raised to 2.5%. Furthermore, by July 2026, the rate will be raised to '2.7%' and the scope of target companies will be expanded to those with 37.5 or more employees (Note 3). However, in many companies, disability employment is limited to 'hiring to comply with the law' or 'providing simple tasks.' The fundamental issue is the urgent need for 'appropriate placement of personnel' and 'long-term retention' that considers the contribution of personnel to results and profits, rather than just meeting legal requirements.

On the other hand, job seekers with disabilities also face serious challenges, such as 'being evaluated and paid uniformly under the disability quota, despite having high abilities' and 'being unable to expect improved treatment commensurate with their abilities.'

'Disability Employment Version of Job Hunting NEO' is a platform to solve these dual challenges. It does not treat disabilities as mere considerations but focuses on the 'characteristics' and 'individuality' of each person, facing them as professionals. By publicly evaluating and judging the abilities and results that can be demonstrated in actual work, it aims to break down society's 'unconscious biases' towards disability employment.

First Video Release: A Raw Record of a Former Engineer Battling Depression Without Hesitation

The first video features a male former mechanical design engineer who has been battling depression for 16 years and is aiming to switch careers to become a welfare support worker to help others in similar situations.

Through a mock interview practical test, the current presidents pointed out, 'I understand your desire to become a support worker based on your past experiences. However, your characteristics and suitability for the role of a support worker are different.' 'Rather than interpersonal support, there is absolutely a growing market where you can utilize the high specialized skills (mechanical design, etc.) you have cultivated so far. That would be happier for you as well.' These were serious but sincere comments considering the job seeker's suitability without hesitation.

The image of presidents facing the reality of their work and market value as professionals, regardless of the presence or absence of disabilities, and the image of job seekers struggling with their career choices, is a candid record that questions the future direction of disability employment in society.

▼ View the first video here

・【Part 1】 A job seeker battling depression is told by the presidents that he is not suitable to aim to be a support worker!?

・【Part 2】 Is being a support worker impossible!? A storm of comments to a job seeker whose characteristics and desired job are divergent, and the job seeker's final decision!?

Recruitment of Job Seekers & Participating Companies Begins

'Disability Employment Version of Job Hunting NEO' is recruiting companies that aim to solve social issues and grow their own businesses through this initiative, as well as job seekers who want to carve out new paths based on their own abilities.

【For Job Seekers】

Your skills and past achievements should be fairly evaluated. We welcome applications from those who say, 'I don't want to be evaluated the same as others' and 'I want to test my abilities.'

・Disability Employment Version Job Seeker Form: https://forms.gle/Tdtfyriq3yvui6EY7

【For Companies】

We are recruiting advanced companies that aim not only to achieve the mandatory employment rate but also to welcome capable personnel as a force and work together towards results. Appearing on this program will be a powerful initiative to demonstrate your company's commitment to diverse talent utilization and improve corporate value in recruitment activities.

・Disability Employment Version Company Form: https://forms.gle/2PK52QcadK9BvuM87

Company Profile

【About Mental Health Lab Inc.】

Mental Health Lab Inc. operates welfare, media, HR, and SaaS businesses under the vision of 'Creating a World Without Mental Breakdowns.'

In the welfare business, the company carries out IT-specialized employment transition support and child development support business, among others, under the mission of 'Eliminating the Line of Disability.'

Location: 1-25-1 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinawaga-ku, Tokyo, KANO Building 2nd Floor

Representative: Representative Director Issho Kato

Business Content: Welfare business, franchise business, disability employment cloud business, welfare medical care and nursing industry specialized job change platform 'Menlabo Job,' welfare medical care and nursing industry specialized M&A brokerage business 'Menlabo M&A'

Site: https://logz.co.jp/

(Notes and Sources)

Note 1: Combined total of YouTube main and short videos (approximately 300 million views) and TikTok, etc.

Note 2: Quoted from 'Future Forecast of the Labor Market 2030' by Persol Research and Consulting

Note 3: Quoted from 'On the Raising of the Mandatory Employment Rate for Persons with Disabilities and Strengthening of Support Measures' by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare