Report: We are Buddies Speaks at Randstad Corporate Webinar

General Incorporated Association We are Buddies (Location: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Airi Kato), which operates a buddy program for children and adults, participated in a corporate webinar hosted by Randstad K.K.'s Working Parents ERG on April 14, 2026. The webinar, titled "How to build 'equal relationships' with others of different positions and generations, learning from Dutch educational programs," was attended by approximately 190 employees.

Background In a rapidly changing labor market, collaboration among members with diverse generations and backgrounds, and the practice of ED&I (Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion), are essential. Randstad, headquartered in the Netherlands, organized this webinar to discuss implementing soft skills for building equal relationships.

Highlights Speakers included Airi Kato, Representative Director of We are Buddies, and Eri Kubota, an HR and organizational consultant.

1. Dutch Dialogue Culture Ms. Kato introduced the Dutch culture of dialogue and tolerance. She emphasized the importance of direct communication over reading the room, based on the assumption that being different is normal.

2. Expanding Comfort Zones Ms. Kubota shared her experience as an "adult buddy" to a 5-year-old child. She noted that interacting with someone from a different generation and position expanded her comfort zone and fostered emotional resilience.

3. Focusing on "What Is Already There" Ms. Kato explained that Dutch education focuses on what is already available rather than what is missing, an approach she highlighted as being applicable to corporate management.

Participant Feedback Participants commented on understanding the importance of expressing thoughts clearly and the shift towards engaging with others, including children, in a flat and respectful manner.