A Trail of Workplace Improvement Facing the Challenges of Safety Shoes: Case Study of MEDIAID Insole Adoption at Toyota Battery
Nippon Sigmax has announced a case study on the adoption of its 'MEDIAID' insoles at a Toyota Battery manufacturing site. This serves as a prime example of how a female employee-led initiative successfully resolved the issue of foot strain caused by safety shoes.
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- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 13:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 18:38 (293h 8m after Collected)
Nippon Sigmax Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President: Yosuke Suzuki), which develops the Japan-born supporter brand 'MEDIAID', offers the insole 'MEDIAID Assist Insole Arch & Grip' as an item to reduce fatigue in the workplace.
This time, at the manufacturing site of Toyota Battery Co., Ltd., the adoption of this insole was realized through the efforts of the 'Manufacturing Women's Lively Activity' and the Safety and Health Promotion Office in response to issues regarding the burden on feet caused by safety shoes.
This release introduces the process of reaching a solution, where insights from the frontline merged with departmental collaboration.
## ■ Toyota Battery Co., Ltd. Company Overview
Toyota Battery Co., Ltd. is a battery manufacturer that develops, manufactures, and sells batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and more. Its main products include nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and battery management systems (BMS), and it also undertakes contract testing of battery packs for vehicles.
These technologies are installed in many electrified vehicles, including those from Toyota, forming the foundation that contributes to the global promotion of electrification.
## ■ Manufacturing Women's Lively Activity: An Initiative Led by Female Employees in the Manufacturing Department
A major catalyst for the launch of this activity was the feedback from female employees in the manufacturing department during the labor-management council in the spring of 2025, who said, 'It's difficult to envision a career path.' There were few female role models on the manufacturing floor, and there was also the challenge of it being difficult to frankly communicate concerns in a male-dominated work culture. Against this backdrop, the desire to 'make our own working environment better' grew, and the female employee-led 'Manufacturing Women's Lively Activity' was launched.
Eighteen members participate in the activity. A three-team system was established to allow them to work without strain even with three-shift work, and four themes were set: 'Concerns about protective gear,' 'Concerns specific to women,' 'Concerns about the workplace environment,' and 'Concerns about the workplace culture,' with each team delving into the issues in their respective areas.
Among these, concerns related to safety shoes were included in 'Concerns about protective gear,' and many real voices from the field, such as pain and fatigue, were gathered.
## ■ Challenges Before Insole Adoption: When 'Protective Shoes' Became 'Burdensome Shoes'. Foot Problems Occurring on the Manufacturing Floor
This time, at the manufacturing site of Toyota Battery Co., Ltd., the adoption of this insole was realized through the efforts of the 'Manufacturing Women's Lively Activity' and the Safety and Health Promotion Office in response to issues regarding the burden on feet caused by safety shoes.
This release introduces the process of reaching a solution, where insights from the frontline merged with departmental collaboration.
## ■ Toyota Battery Co., Ltd. Company Overview
Toyota Battery Co., Ltd. is a battery manufacturer that develops, manufactures, and sells batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and more. Its main products include nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium-ion batteries, and battery management systems (BMS), and it also undertakes contract testing of battery packs for vehicles.
These technologies are installed in many electrified vehicles, including those from Toyota, forming the foundation that contributes to the global promotion of electrification.
## ■ Manufacturing Women's Lively Activity: An Initiative Led by Female Employees in the Manufacturing Department
A major catalyst for the launch of this activity was the feedback from female employees in the manufacturing department during the labor-management council in the spring of 2025, who said, 'It's difficult to envision a career path.' There were few female role models on the manufacturing floor, and there was also the challenge of it being difficult to frankly communicate concerns in a male-dominated work culture. Against this backdrop, the desire to 'make our own working environment better' grew, and the female employee-led 'Manufacturing Women's Lively Activity' was launched.
Eighteen members participate in the activity. A three-team system was established to allow them to work without strain even with three-shift work, and four themes were set: 'Concerns about protective gear,' 'Concerns specific to women,' 'Concerns about the workplace environment,' and 'Concerns about the workplace culture,' with each team delving into the issues in their respective areas.
Among these, concerns related to safety shoes were included in 'Concerns about protective gear,' and many real voices from the field, such as pain and fatigue, were gathered.
## ■ Challenges Before Insole Adoption: When 'Protective Shoes' Became 'Burdensome Shoes'. Foot Problems Occurring on the Manufacturing Floor