Pasona Group x Tohoku University Institute for Japanese Studies Launch Joint Research on "Exploring Japanese Well-being and Coexistence with Regional Resources"

Pasona Group Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director, Chairman & CEO: Hirotaka Wakamoto) and the National University Corporation Tohoku University Institute for Japanese Studies will commence joint research on "Exploring Japanese Well-being and Coexistence with Regional Resources" from Thursday, May 7, 2026.

This research aims to organize the universality and uniqueness of Japanese well-being through comparative studies of domestic and international cases, participatory workshops, and observations of Pasona Group's initiatives on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, and to build processes and foundations for its exploration.

This joint research marks the first industry-academia collaboration for the Tohoku University Institute for Japanese Studies.

In recent years, well-being has become a widely used international concept indicating a "good state" of mind, body, and society. On the other hand, while Japan possesses diverse regional resources rooted in its unique lifestyles, customs, religions, industries, and tourism, efforts to systematically organize these from the perspective of "Japanese well-being" and clarify their universality and uniqueness have not been sufficiently advanced.

Pasona Group aims to realize a well-being society consisting of "physical health," "mental health," and "social health." Towards realizing "NATUREVERSE," a truly rich world where people, nature, and technology coexist and people connect with compassion, the company is engaged in creating new industries.

The Institute for Japanese Studies established at Tohoku University is a research hub that promotes Japanese studies on a global scale by utilizing international networks. In collaboration with overseas universities, mainly in Europe, America, and Asia, it conducts interdisciplinary research and disseminates information on Japanese studies covering Japanese history, culture, society, politics, economy, and language, developing knowledge about Japan as a global common asset.

This joint research is the first industry-academia collaboration for the Tohoku University Institute for Japanese Studies. Based on observations of Pasona Group's initiatives on Awaji Island and insights from domestic and international case studies and comparative research by faculty members of the Institute for Japanese Studies, the aim is to build processes and foundations for exploring Japanese well-being.

Pasona Group x Tohoku University Institute for Japanese Studies Joint Research Overview

Research Title Exploring Japanese Well-being and Coexistence with Regional Resources

Purpose To organize the universality and uniqueness of Japanese well-being through comparative case studies and participatory workshops, and to build processes and foundations for its exploration.

Start Date Thursday, May 7, 2026

Content - Collect domestic and international cases related to well-being, and through the collection and comparative analysis of regional resources rooted in lifestyles, customs, religions, industries, tourism, etc., extract and organize discussion points regarding the universality and uniqueness of Japanese well-being. - Hold participatory workshops to disseminate information to society and refine and organize extracted discussion points through surveys and hearings with participants. - Compile the results as a joint research report, providing valuable insights for research communities and practitioners both domestically and internationally.

Contact Pasona Group Inc. Tohoku University Joint Research Department Tel 03-6734-0210 E-mail grouphr@pasonagroup.co.jp Keywords: