Taiyo Group Holds First Entrance Ceremony Post-Expo: "Reconnecting People and Society in an Era of Deepening Division"
The Taiyo Group held its first entrance ceremony since the Expo, welcoming 32 new employees with a special lecture by Osaka-Kansai Expo producer Yoichi Ochiai, focusing on reconnecting people and society.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 01:00
Taiyo Kogyo Corporation (Tokyo Headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Osaka Headquarters: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Yuki Nomura; hereinafter: Taiyo Kogyo), which handles large membrane structures (tent structures), civil engineering, and logistics materials, along with event consulting firm TSP Taiyo Corporation (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; President: Kago Ikezawa; hereinafter: TSP Taiyo), and Actio Corporation (Headquarters: Meguro-ku, Tokyo; President: Fumitaka Awano; hereinafter: Actio), which manages events and facilities, held a joint entrance ceremony for 32 new employees on April 1, 2026, at the EXPO’70 Pavilion Annex Exhibition Room in Expo Commemoration Park.
The Taiyo Group held its first entrance ceremony after the Expo, with the theme "Reconnecting people and society in an era of deepening division." The 32 new employees took their first step, recognizing themselves as members who will make society better.
On the day of the ceremony, Yoichi Ochiai, who served as the producer of the Osaka-Kansai Expo Signature Pavilion, gave a special lecture. In his lecture, he discussed the nature of a society where boundaries become ambiguous and the importance of people interacting and co-creating new value in an era where the role and value of humans are being questioned due to the advancement of AI. The ceremony also provided an opportunity for new employees to experience the company's history and its relationship with society through their pledges and a tour of the "Tower of the Sun."
Modern society, while enhancing convenience and efficiency, is also an era where the distance and conflict between people and societies tend to widen. In this context, the Taiyo Group aims to play a role in connecting people and societies, based on its group philosophy, "Soften the world. Warm the future." This entrance ceremony aims to foster awareness among new employees to consider their own engagement with society, connect people and society, and become creators of the future.
At the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, the Taiyo Group brought together its solutions to contribute to the co-creation of a future society by designing and constructing various tent structures and managing venues and facilities. The 32 new employees joining in fiscal year 2026 (22 from Taiyo Kogyo, 6 from TSP Taiyo, and 4 from Actio) are the "first generation after the Expo" to join the Taiyo Group as it moves to the next phase, and their self-awareness, pride, and future success are highly anticipated.
＜Yoichi Ochiai Profile＞
Media artist. Born in 1987, began artistic activities around 2010. Develops works with motifs of materialization, transformation, and longing for mass in boundary regions. Associate Professor at University of Tsukuba / University of Tokyo, Theme Project Producer for the 2025 Japan International Exposition (Osaka-Kansai Expo). Works include photo book "Longing for Mass (amana・2019)" and NFT work "Re-Digitalization of Waves (foundation・2021)". Received Prix Ars Electronica Honorary Mention and STARTS Prize from the EU in 2016, and SXSW Creative Experience ARROW Awards in 2019. Named in Apollo Magazine's 40 UNDER 40 ART and TECH, received Asia Digital Art Award Excellence Award, and numerous Jury Selections at the Japan Media Arts Festival Art Division.
Comment from Yuki Nomura, President and CEO of Taiyo Kogyo Corporation (Summary)
The Osaka-Kansai Expo, in which the Taiyo Group was involved, faced various discussions and proceeded amidst significant headwinds even before its opening. Despite such circumstances, the現場 (site) continued to challenge with belief in success, and that accumulation led to the final achievements and the growth of our employees. Modern times are prone to division and high uncertainty, but we believe our group's role lies precisely in difficult situations. We want to demonstrate our value as an entity that connects people and societies. I expect new employees to challenge proactively, believing that their work will lead to a better society, without being swayed by external voices. I hope they will not shy away from difficulties, grow through experience, and become the future leaders of the Taiyo Group.
Comment from Kago Ikezawa, President and CEO of TSP Taiyo Corporation (Summary)
TSP Taiyo has provided value that connects people and societies through "places" where people gather and share experiences. In an increasingly digitalized world, the value of real spaces like event venues is growing even more. We are responsible for creating such "connections" and gradually moving society forward. I expect new employees to work with an awareness of what kind of connections their work creates and what value it brings to society.
Comment from Fumitaka Awano, President and CEO of Actio Corporation (Summary)
Actio plays a part in social infrastructure by providing "places" where people can safely and securely interact through the operation of facilities and events. Its scale now exceeds 17.5 billion yen, and the number of managed facilities has reached 226, steadily expanding its business. Our role is to support the foundation that creates connections between people and regions, and we uphold that value through reliable operations. I expect new employees to be aware that their work supports connections with society and to grow while building trust.
New Employee Greetings (Summary)
Yasuharu Furuhashi, New Employee Representative, Taiyo Kogyo Corporation
I feel a great sense of responsibility and anticipation, as well as a renewed determination, to join the company at this pivotal time after the Expo. I want to continuously consider how I can engage with society and deliver value, and proactively work on creating value that connects people and society.
Risa Sagara, New Employee Representative, TSP Taiyo Corporation
I will strive to learn eagerly, challenge without fear, and become a valuable asset as soon as possible.
I will recognize my responsibility as a member of the Taiyo Group and dedicate myself daily to growing and delivering value to society through my own development.
Yuta Konishi, New Employee Representative, Actio Corporation
I will always aim to be a person who is not afraid to challenge and can positively influence those around me through my actions.
I want to sincerely engage with businesses that create "joy" and "excitement," and continue to learn and grow daily to make steady progress, even if it's a small step.
About Taiyo Group
The Taiyo Group is a corporate group consisting of three companies: Taiyo Kogyo Corporation, TSP Taiyo Corporation, and Actio Corporation. Founded in 1922 as Nomura Tent Shokai, the group has delivered unique products to the world by leveraging the characteristics of "membrane" materials, driven by the desire to "be of some use to society and deliver感動 (inspiration) to as many people as possible." At the 1970 Osaka Expo, the group was involved in the construction and operation of large pavilions, and the current group structure was formed through subsequent business development. Having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022, the group now aims to "Soften the world. Warm the future." by enhancing the synergy among its three companies and pursuing the possibilities of membranes, spaces, and experiences.
Furthermore, at the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, the entire group was involved in the design, construction, and facility management of approximately 30 facilities.
【About TSP Taiyo】
|
Company Name |
TSP Taiyo Corporation |
|
Headquarters |
Meguro-ku, Tokyo |
|
Representative |
Kago Ikezawa |
|
Number of Employees |
290 (as of end of June 2025) |
|
Business Activities |
Planning and production of various events |
FAQ
When and where was the Taiyo Group's entrance ceremony held?
It was held on April 1, 2026, at the EXPO’70 Pavilion Annex Exhibition Room in Expo Commemoration Park.
How many new employees joined the company at this entrance ceremony?
A total of 32 new employees joined: 22 at Taiyo Kogyo, 6 at TSP Taiyo, and 4 at Actio.
What is the position of Yoichi Ochiai, who gave the special lecture?
He served as the producer of the Osaka-Kansai Expo Signature Pavilion and is also a media artist and associate professor at the University of Tsukuba/University of Tokyo.