To Solve Talent Shortages in Local Companies: Demonstration Project for 'Creating a Comfortable Workplace' Starting with Women's Empowerment Begins in Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture

Lum-alume Inc. (Headquarters: Tokyo, Representative Director: Hiroko Akutagawa), which provides support for women's empowerment and organizational structure diagnosis, has been commissioned by Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture, to launch a demonstration project for promoting women's empowerment targeting local companies, starting in April 2026.

In this project, management interviews will be conducted with five companies in the city to understand the current status of women's empowerment and organizational challenges. Subsequently, a current situation analysis and problem identification will be performed, and directions for initiatives will be proposed for each company.

Starting with women's empowerment, the project aims to promote 'creating a workplace where everyone can thrive' in local companies and improve their human resource utilization capabilities.

Deepening Talent Shortages in Local Companies

Local companies face significant management challenges in securing talent due to a decrease in the young population and an outflow of talent to urban areas.

On the other hand, many local areas boast companies with excellent technology and appeal. However, the 'attractiveness of companies,' such as ease of work and growth opportunities, may not be sufficiently communicated to younger generations.

To become a company that is 'chosen' by talent, initiatives to enhance corporate attractiveness, including ease of work and growth opportunities, are considered crucial.

In recent years, it is said that an increasing number of students refer to indicators such as the ratio of female managers when choosing a company during job hunting. Women's empowerment is also gaining attention as an indicator of whether a company is a workplace where diverse talent can thrive.

This project aims to grasp the current situation through company interviews and visualize organizational challenges, thereby contributing to sustainable human resource utilization and future-oriented organizational development for local companies.

Project Overview

【Project Name】 Ojiya City Gender Equality Promotion Company Support Services

【Target】 5 companies in Ojiya City

【Period】 April 2026 - March 2027

【Main Contents】

Interviews Interviews will be conducted with business owners or HR managers of companies in the city regarding the current status of women's empowerment and organizational challenges.

Current Situation Analysis and Proposal Based on the interview results, the company's current situation will be organized, challenges will be visualized, and directions for future initiatives will be proposed.

Introduction of Support Programs For companies that wish, the introduction of support programs aimed at women's empowerment and creating a comfortable workplace will be considered.

Representative's Comment

Hiroko Akutagawa, Representative Director, Lum-alume Inc.

"While talent shortages are becoming severe in local companies, many companies do not sufficiently utilize female talent, including in recruitment.

Having worked in the manufacturing industry for about 19 years myself, I have seen numerous situations where, even in attractive workplaces, women find it difficult to demonstrate their abilities due to structures such as evaluation, career opportunities, and organizational culture.

Women's empowerment cannot be achieved by systems alone. 'Organizational structure,' which shapes daily work, including transparency of evaluation, growth opportunities, interaction with supervisors, and organizational culture, has a significant impact.

In this project, we aim to carefully listen to the voices from the company floor and, starting with women's empowerment, promote initiatives that lead to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.

And we will work alongside companies, aiming for more companies to convey their appeal to more people and be seen as 'a company where I want to work.'"

About Lum-alume Inc.

Lum-alume Inc. supports human resource utilization and organizational growth for companies, particularly in local manufacturing industries, through women's empowerment support and organizational structure diagnosis, with the aim of solving talent challenges.

Through company interviews, organizational diagnosis, career support, supervisor mentoring, etc., we work alongside companies to support initiatives aimed at creating organizations where women can thrive and realizing a comfortable working environment for everyone.

Future Outlook

The results obtained from this project will also be utilized in considering women's empowerment promotion measures in Ojiya City.

Furthermore, by sharing examples of company initiatives, we aim to expand efforts for women's empowerment and creating comfortable workplaces throughout the entire region.

Company Profile

Company Name: Lum-alume Inc. Representative: Hiroko Akutagawa Business Activities: Women's empowerment support, organizational structure diagnosis

Official Website https://lum-alume.com/

Contact info@lum-alume.com