Shokikai Dental Group, Operator of Kyoto Nijo Takechi Dental Clinic, Named One of Japan's Best Workplaces for 5 Consecutive Years (2026 Edition) – Sole Medical Corporation Recognized

Shokikai Dental Group (Chairman: Yukihisa Takechi), which operates three clinics in Kyoto including the 'Kyoto Nijo Takechi Dental Clinic,' has been selected for the fifth consecutive year in the Japanese edition of the 'Best Workplaces' Top 100 ranking by Great Place to Work® (GPTW), implemented in approximately 170 countries worldwide. This ranking is an international award evaluated based on survey results from actual employees.

The healthcare industry still faces persistent challenges such as hierarchical structures between professions and long working hours. For about a decade, Shokikai has been promoting a 'Desired Workplace Reform' initiative, responding to each staff member’s individual desire for 'how I want to work.' The dual pillars of 'workplace comfort,' such as 134 annual holidays, and a unique 'feedback culture' across professions—including 360-degree feedback—have nurtured both staff comfort and a sense of fulfillment at work.

In the medical field, where specialized professionals often make organizational cultural change difficult, the creation of an environment where all roles feel secure and want to continue working has been recognized, leading to this fifth consecutive selection.

※Regarding 'Sole Medical Corporation Selected': Based on self-research from the list of companies announced in the 2026 edition of the 'Best Workplaces in Japan' ranking (25–99 employees category), Shokikai is the only medical corporation selected.

Three Reasons Shokikai Continues to Be Recognized as a Great Place to Work

① Contributing to the Community While Working Long-Term with Peace of Mind

・Average monthly overtime: 1.8 hours; clinical operations do not assume unreasonable overtime

・134 annual holidays / flexible work styles tailored to life stages

・Long-term career development supported by internal systems

・Flexible work practices that drastically reduced turnover from 33% to 3% (4-year average: 2.75%)

The organization achieves a work-life balance rarely seen in medical and service industries, including easy access to maternity and childcare leave and post-return training programs. The sense of security that allows staff to value both work and private life, along with the feeling of 'making a difference,' has led to scores significantly exceeding the average in survey items such as 'I am encouraged to maintain a work-life balance' and 'I feel I contribute to the community or society.'

② Supporting Growth in Both 'People' and 'Skills'

・One-on-one trainer system to accelerate learning

・100% utilization rate of seminar subsidies for dentists

・Feedback culture across roles and ages

・HR system that separately evaluates 'personal growth' and 'skill development' (achieving stable growth with a 13.4% performance growth rate)

Shokikai has adopted the mission 'To unlock individual potential and create people who shape the future.' Specialists such as dentists often prioritize technical mastery, inadvertently deprioritizing patient care and communication with colleagues.

To address this, Shokikai has incorporated feedback from others and human skills into its evaluation criteria. This allows each individual to naturally recognize their new potential, enhancing teamwork and the overall strength of the clinic. As a result, a virtuous cycle has emerged where better medical care can be delivered to patients.

③ Open Information Flow and High Psychological Safety in the Workplace

・Bottom-up consensus building involving all 77 employees, with an average age of 34

・Corporate financial support for staff-organized events across clinics, including 'Takechi Dental'

・Project teams that support staff initiatives and aspirations

From management policies to daily reports, communication, and consultations, even new employees on their first day can access information via their smartphones. By ensuring each individual takes responsibility to 'ask questions' about openly shared information, the organization has achieved company-wide participatory reform.

Additionally, to foster relationships where staff can freely exchange opinions without hesitation, the organization financially supports staff-led social events. These initiatives have softened the hierarchical structures common in healthcare and supported high-quality interpersonal relationships.

In fact, staff have shared the following feedback:

"I occasionally find myself thinking, 'I'm glad I get to work here.'"

"I can work安心 knowing I'm surrounded by trustworthy colleagues."

Year-end party themed around gratitude and感动

※Numerical data reflects performance from April 2025 to March 2026

Yukihisa Takechi, Chairman, Shokikai Dental Group

Message from Chairman Yukihisa Takechi

Being selected for the 'Best Workplaces' Top 100 for five consecutive years is a great honor for us. Above all, we believe this recognition is the result of the daily efforts of every staff member who faces patients on the front lines. We are sincerely grateful.

At Shokikai, we believe that improving the quality of medical care begins with ensuring that 'those who work are valued.' Only with this foundation can individuals begin to pursue self-realization. If we can achieve this at Shokikai, there is nothing more fulfilling.

We are still very much a developing organization full of challenges. Without becoming complacent about this recognition, we hope to continue challenging each staff member’s 'desire to work' and growing together as an organization.

Reference Information | About Great Place to Work® Institute

Great Place to Work® Institute is a global research organization that conducts annual 'engagement' surveys for over 21,000 companies in approximately 170 countries, certifying and ranking those that meet certain standards as 'Great Places to Work.' Its methodology, backed by 30 years of data, is widely used for corporate employer branding and human capital disclosure. In Japan, the company 'Institute for Great Places to Work' holds the license and operates Great Place to Work® Institute Japan (GPTW Japan).

Award Overview

・Organizer: Great Place to Work® Institute Japan (GPTW Japan) ・Award Name: '2026 Best Workplaces in Japan' Ranking – 25–99 Employees Category ・Award Date: February 2026 ・Details Website: https://hatarakigai.info/ranking/japan/2026.html

Company Overview

Organization Name: Shokikai Dental Group

Chairman: Yukihisa Takechi

Clinics: 3 clinics in Kyoto City (including 'Kyoto Nijo Takechi Dental Clinic')

Headquarters: 1-39 Minenoshimmachi, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City

Established / Business: Established in 1997 / Comprehensive dental care

URL: https://www.tdc-smile.jp/

Recruitment: https://www.tdc-recruit.com/