Brief Biography

Born in Saitama Prefecture, Japan in 1976, Shinjiro Ichikawa graduated from Kokushikan Junior and Senior High School before studying abroad at Tsinghua University in China. After completing his degree in Economics and Trade from the Chinese Language Department at Beijing Language and Culture University, he joined Chuo Group(which includes Chuo Shutter and Yokobiki Shutter), founded by his father, in 2002. In 2012, he succeeded his father as the second-generation CEO.

Diversity in Employment: The Inspiration Lies Close to Us

Our company manufactures specialized shutters. We are honored to have received the WORLDCOM AWARD in recognition of our diverse employment practices, which include senior citizens, foreigners, and individuals with disabilities. Our focus on diversity management began with the previous CEO. As the current CEO, I am, of course, delighted, but I am particularly pleased that the initiatives started by my predecessor have been acknowledged.

The previous CEO had remarkable foresight and always aimed to stay ahead of the times. For instance, the employment of senior citizens began when an employee who had been with the company for many years reached retirement age. Instead of letting them go due to their age, he decided to continue their employment. Similarly, the initiative to employ foreigners was driven by his desire to address the disparity in job challenges faced by Japanese and foreign workers at that time. He believed in equality, envisioning a workplace where Japanese and foreigners were treated equally. Thus, our company’s diverse employment practices stem from these personal inspirations and are not seen as obstacles but as ongoing improvements to be built upon. Rather than viewing them as something we have struggled with, we see them as an ongoing process that we continue to build upon now and in the future. We continuously ask ourselves, "What can we do to improve further?" This mindset, shared among our employees, helps us move forward without encountering significant barriers.

Empowering Employees for a Vibrant Future

In recent years, Japan has been described as having an aging population with a declining birthrate. However, in reality, most advanced countries outside Japan are facing similar situations. Moreover, progress in employing elderly individuals, foreigners, and people with disabilities has been slow. That’s why, based on my experience, I want to convey that achieving employment diversity is not as difficult as it may seem. My goal is not just to employ people administratively, but to create an environment where diverse individuals work together as a team. I hope this award serves as a step closer to that goal.

Looking ahead, I want to continue building a company where employees can work joyfully and vibrantly. My ideal is for employees to be told by their families, "You really seem to enjoy going to work. " I am committed to striving towards creating a company that attracts such employees and will continue to work towards this goal.