In each materiality, the Benesse Group grows together with the community and creates new value with the people who live in that community, utilizing Benesse's knowledge and expertise.
Another distinctive feature of Benesse's community activities is its contribution to community revitalization through art such as the Benesse Art Site Naoshima, that embodies "Benesse = Well-Being," and to sports, which give children dreams.
By promoting collaboration with local communities, Benesse will respond to their unique needs and contribute to solving social issues.
In cooperation with the community, we aim to increase the number of children who have the ability to thrive in the future by delivering an education that is aware of the educational opportunity gap and diversity in our society.
●Providing diverse learning spaces in collaboration with the community
Benesse Corporation established "Benesse Alternative School" primarily for elementary and middle school students facing non-attendance, aiming to offer a multitude of safe and secure spaces where children with unique personalities can spend their time and acquire various learning opportunities and experiences outside of regular school settings. In June 2023, in collaboration with local academies in Okayama Prefecture, we launched this program by utilizing vacant classrooms. Using Shinkenzemi tablet materials with individual support from staff, enrolled students attended school two days a week, commuted online two days a week, and dedicated the remaining day to experiential programs that utilize their own interests.
Similarly, UP Inc., which provides continuous education from kindergarten to high school as part of the Benessee Group, opened "UP Senior High School" in Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture, in April 2024. This school serves as a support institution for correspondence high schools, addressing the current need for high school students who find it challenging to attend school and envisioning their future place in higher education in college.
Moving forward, we will continue to take on the challenge of adapting to the diversity of educational opportunities, so that children and students in the community can utilize their individuality and build their "place where they can be themselves."
In August 2023, we held an event using the Classi ICT platform for schools in collaboration with the Taragi Foundation,* which is aware of the educational gap between urban and rural areas and wants to provide better learning opportunities for children regardless of location or population size.
* The General Incorporated Foundation Taragi Town Promotion Organization was established with 100% investment from Taragi Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, to promote human resource development and sustainable community development utilizing local resources.
Classi, a Benesse Group company, provides "Learning Training," a function that uses AI to deliver an optimal, individualized learning experience based on each student’s academic ability and proficiency level. With Learning Training, review questions from junior high school are provided to high school students who have struggled with content from junior high school, allowing them to go back and relearn material, or review and supplement their learning according to their individual levels. Students who take the course are able to build successful learning experiences, such as feeling accomplished when they solve problems. The event was held with the hope of creating a trigger to ignite the children's desire to learn. The event took place during the summer vacation period, with a total of 60 junior and high school students participating over four days.
The children who participated in the event shared feedback such as, “Until now, I had to adjust to the problems, but this time the problems came to me,” and by the end of the event, everyone said, “It was fun!”
No matter where they are born, every child’s life has the potential to be shaped and valued. To contribute to a world where children can believe in this, Classi continues its efforts to expand "children's unlimited possibilities" using AI technology.
We provide support to local governments and small to medium-sized enterprises by fostering individuals who advance their careers and lives with a sense of self, helping regions and companies achieve sustainable growth.
●Japan's first "National Municipal Reskilling Network" was launched, with participation from over 100 local governments nationwide
(As of the end of May 2024)
In municipalities across the country, addressing DX (digital transformation), supporting local industries, and dealing with labor shortages have become urgent challenges, leading to a growing movement to promote DX in small and medium-sized enterprises and local governments. However, our surveys have revealed challenges such as difficulties in promoting these initiatives and uncertainty about how to proceed. Given the lack of opportunities for sharing these challenges and learning from prior cases of DX talent development, as well as the need for information exchange among municipalities, Benesse established the “National Municipal Reskilling Network” in May 2023 as the first platform specialized for municipalities in Japan.
In the first year, we held three information exchange meetings on DX human resource development and reskilling for municipal employees, with a total of 129 participants. Currently, we are still providing updates on initiatives for each municipality and the latest information from experts through a dedicated website and newsletters.
To date, this network has been joined by staff from over 100 municipalities, including 40% of the prefectures.
Benesse, together with municipalities nationwide, will continue to strengthen the promotion of DX in small and medium-sized enterprises and municipalities across the country, as well as reskilling support for citizens, aiming to address social issues through learning.
[Examples of participating municipalities] *as of launch
●Udemy × Local Government and Municipal Workforce Development
Benesse believes that the growth of individuals is the driving force for evolution when considering the future of local communities. Since December 2020, Benesse Corporation has been providing workforce development programs for local governments and municipalities utilizing the online video learning platform "Udemy Business". In fiscal year 2023, this program was utilized by over 70 municipalities and organizations, including Tottori Prefecture, Saitama Prefecture, and Nagoya City. Here are a few examples from different municipalities:
1. Workforce Development for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the Local Community [Itoigawa City]
In the midst of accelerating digitalization in society, the urgent need has arisen for the development of a capable workforce as local businesses are also required to promote DX and business model transitions. Benesse collaborates with local governments to support the learning of employees in small and medium-sized enterprises, aiming to revitalize local businesses.
In Itoigawa City, participating companies were recruited with the aim of developing DX talents in local small and medium-sized enterprises, and learning opportunities utilizing Udemy Business were provided. In addition to the core industries of manufacturing and construction, various industries, including agriculture and food services participated and addressed challenges faced by the region such as workforce shortages and contributed to regional development.
2. Developing DX human resources within the local government [Oita City]
As DX advances rapidly, local governments are also being called upon to change. Through Udemy Business, Benesse is working to support the development of human resources that do not stop at implementing DX as a means to an end, but rather design services from the residents' perspective of "what should be provided" and realize it by leveraging the power of IT.
In Oita City, which is actively promoting the cultivation of digital talents within Oita City Hall, training utilizing Udemy Business is provided for staff members who express interest. They customize learning paths (learning curricula) to align with the digital talent profile that Oita City aims to foster, allowing each staff member to learn content based on their preferences.
We actively engage in initiatives aimed at valuing a 'life true to oneself' in familiar surroundings and community, enhancing the quality of life for the elderly, and strengthening the relationship between homes and the community.
●Be Yourself Where You've Always Lived
Benesse no Ouchi Gohan by Benesse Palette
Making use of knowledge from the private retirement homes operated by Benesse Style Care, we deliver Benesse no Ouchi Gohan, meals which are the source of healthy living and vitality , to homes. With a desire to support seniors' unique lifestyles in the local communities in which they live, we paid special attention to communication at the delivery point. We communicate with supervising care mangers or family as needed, supporting healthy lifestyles in the community. We also actively participate in the Mimamori framework, and currently have agreements with various Mimamori networks, including with Shinaga-ku, Suginami-ku, Nerima-ku, Bunkyo-ku, and Nakano-ku in Tokyo.
●“Dementia Town Meetings” held at homes for the elderly and local venues
Benesse Style Care, which manages Benesse’s nursing care business, held "Dementia Town Meetings" in approximately 90 venues across 9 prefectures from September to October 2023, as part of dementia awareness activities in alignment with World Alzheimer's Month.*1 During the period, we held lectures and interactive events at Benesse’s elderly homes and community venues. These were led by experts in dementia diagnosis and care in the medical field, highly skilled caregivers from Benesse Style Care ("Maji Kami"*2), and functional training instructors. The total number of participants reached more than 2,000, with participants commenting that they gained new knowledge and made discoveries, and that they would like to hear from the Maji Kami again.
Drawing on 29 years of experience in operating care services, Benesse Style Care values the idea of "deeply aligning with each individual's uniqueness" and will continue to provide valuable information for elderly individuals and their families.
Benesse, under the fundamental recognition of "conducting business activities that contribute to society as a member of that society," will live hand-in-hand with local communities, support society, and fulfill its role as a "responsible corporate citizen" walking alongside society.
We collaborate with the community to promote the expansion of employment diversity and work towards promoting the employment of people with disabilities.
●Benesse Business Mate concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement with Tama City Silver Human Resources Center regarding regional collaborative services
Benesse Business Mate, a special subsidiary of the Benesse Group that promotes the employment of people with disabilities, began to consider outsourced contracting for outside work because of dramatic reduction in office work due to increased employee telecommuting with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it has been difficult for employees with disabilities to cope with work that requires them to work shifts or outside of working hours as it is important for them to have a stable rhythm in their lives. Then, we aimed to achieve mutual complementarity with Silver Human Resources Centers, which faced challenges in securing and matching tasks that align with the experience and preferences of older individuals while the need is high, and signed a comprehensive collaboration agreement regarding community co-working services with the Tama City Silver Human Resources Center, a public interest corporation that oversees Tama City where the Tokyo headquarters is located. This agreement tasks each party to leverage their respective strengths as both companies are entrusted with their respective operations in the future; for example, Benesse Business Mate can get support for work during hours that are difficult to handle and for work that requires independent travel to remote locations, instead of cooperating in areas where its strength lies, such as hygiene management and the use of computers requiring specialized skills. Our goal is to match and expand operations while covering each other, and to contribute to the community with job satisfaction for both the disabled and the elderly.
We are conducting activities in collaboration with the community that contribute to the conservation of the global environment, ensuring that the children who will live in the future can continue to reside in peace.
●Holding an environmentally conscious general meeting of shareholders using Okayama City's "Local Circulation Carbon Offset"
Since the fiscal year 2014, we have been conducting environmentally conscious annual general meetings utilizing Okayama City's "Local Circulation Carbon Offset."
[Carbon Offset Targets]
●Participation in the Creation of Tama City Biodiversity Guidelines
To protect our rich natural environment, coexist with living creatures, and obtain the blessings of nature while building a sustainable society, Benesse Holdings and Benesse Corporation are participating in the creation of Tama City Biodiversity Guidelines. We are also cooperating in the education about biodiversity in Tama City.
Through art and cultural activities, we will bring new energy to individual communities and create communities in which the locals can feel more satisfied.
Benesse Art Site Naoshima: A place that embodies "Benesse = Well-Being"
Benesse Holdings is committed to creating communities where people can lead good and happy lives, based on the corporate philosophy that "Benesse = Well-Being" and the idea that this is created through good communities. Benesse Holdings and the Fukutake Foundation are advancing the creation of “good communities” through the promotion of modern art and culture. The Foundation’s activities are mainly funded by dividends from approximately 8% of our company’s shares, and our Group believes that realizing sustainable business growth and providing stable dividends will lead to continuous support for the community through the Foundation.
In addition, at Benesse Art Site Naoshima, the facility known as Benesse House, which is based on the concept of “symbiosis between nature, architecture, and art,” aims to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society. It promotes sustainability in various areas, including environmental considerations (landscape protection, energy conservation, decarbonization, water conservation, recycling, and other environmental protection measures), health, and safety.
What is True Happiness? Joint Research by Benesse Art Site Naoshima and Okayama University
Okayama University, involved in SDG-related research, took notice of Benesse Art Site Naoshima and its many years of creating good communities through modern art. Together with Benesse Holdings, they began a joint research project in 2020 looking into the degree of happiness among island residents on Naoshima, Teshima, and Inujima islands. Specialists from Okayama University in economic policy and management strategy, medical experts on epidemiology and others participated, along with researchers focusing on changes to social systems. Multifaceted analysis and research have been conducted on the construction of wellbeing models and their evaluation, the Naoshima model as a corporate strategy and CSR, health and environmental aspects and wellbeing, the Naoshima model ecosystem and social innovation, SDGs and wellbeing, etc., and a final report was compiled in March 2023.
The Benesse Group works to solve social problems through its businesses, which are supported by our many stakeholders, and we are also involved in education support for the children of the future and support for the creation of good communities centered around education, culture, and art.
Visit the link below for more details.
Benesse Sailing Team
The Benesse Sailing Team was founded in 1997. The team has been taken up as a corporate sport entity since 2000.
Fagiano Okayama Football Club
Benesse Holdings and Benesse InfoShell have continued to support Fagiano Okayama, a J League Club active in Okayama, as a club sponsor, as these two companies were founded in Okayama. We completely agree with the principles behind the activities Fagiano Okayama takes ("Giving Dreams to Children!"), and work to promote sports and the local area through our support.
After the Great East Japan Earthquake, we introduced a salary deduction donation system for any employees who wanted to participate. We began a matching program, where the company donates the same amount of money. We continue to offer matching gifts not only for disaster relief but also for donations from employees to our public foundation working to solve social problems for children (Benesse Foundation for Children). We also offer a volunteer leave system for employees.
In FY2023, 27 employees participated in volunteer opportunities provided by Benesse Holdings.
In each of our businesses, we also provide support through free events and activities for community development activities and learning opportunities that work together with local communities. See below for examples of activities.
| Total expenses for social action programs (Fiscal 2023) | 181 million JPY |
|---|---|
| Of which are donations | 181 million JPY |
We also carry out a number of social contribution activities across the Group that are not limited to specific regions, such as reconstruction assistance, support for learning environments and support for people with disabilities. See below for examples of our activities.
Last updated : 2024/08/01