Shizuoka Prefecture Launches 11th Year of Free Expert Advisor Dispatch Program to Support SMEs' Diversity Management — From Awareness to Self-Driven Support, We Accompany Companies to Achieve Eruboshi and Kurumin Certification

Shizuoka Prefecture will implement the 'Diversity Management Promotion Advisor Dispatch Program' to support workplaces where diverse talents such as women, elderly individuals, and foreign nationals can fully utilize their abilities. Applications will open on Monday, July 13.

The program is operated by Ruru Career Co., Ltd., targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with headquarters in Shizuoka Prefecture and fewer than 300 employees.

Under this initiative, specialized advisors—including certified social insurance and labor consultants and career consultants—will be dispatched to companies to provide free, tailored support based on each company's specific challenges and circumstances. The standard format includes two visits (approximately one hour per visit), with online consultations also available.

For more details, please visit the link below.

Background and This Year's Focus

This program has been continuously implemented by Shizuoka Prefecture since FY 2016, marking its 11th year this fiscal year. To date, over 750 companies have utilized this program and received practical advice from experts.

Over the past decade, awareness of diversity management among SMEs in the prefecture has steadily increased. FY 2026 will be a pivotal year. The support focus is shifting from mere planning to 'self-driven support'—accompanying companies that are ready to take action, implement systems, and achieve certifications such as Eruboshi and Kurumin.

Under this strategy, the number of companies receiving 'Step-Up Company Support' aimed at achieving Eruboshi and Kurumin certifications will be significantly expanded from 20 last year to 50 this year. Unprecedented emphasis will be placed on practical, continuous, and hands-on support throughout the certification journey.

Recommended for These Business Owners and Managers

- Seeking to hire excellent talent and improve employee retention

- Aiming to promote women's active participation

- Already engaged in diversity initiatives but seeking further development or review

- Working to build internal systems and drive organizational cultural change

- Planning to formulate action plans under the Women's Empowerment or Next-Generation Support Promotion Acts

- Looking to improve working conditions for elderly and foreign workers

- Seriously aiming to obtain Eruboshi or Kurumin certification

- Have submitted an action plan but unsure of the next steps toward certification

Support Content and Eligibility

① Support for New Initiatives in Diverse Talent Engagement (20 companies)

Support includes identifying challenges related to hiring and retaining diverse talent (women, elderly, foreign nationals), improving recruitment methods, advising on creating a more inclusive work environment, and assisting with formulating and submitting general employer action plans to the Labor Bureau.

【Eligibility】

Support for Women's Empowerment: Companies with headquarters in Shizuoka Prefecture and up to 100 employees

Support for Elderly and Foreign Workers: Companies with headquarters in Shizuoka Prefecture and up to 300 employees

② Support for Implementing Diverse Work Styles (20 companies)

Advisors, including certified social insurance and labor consultants, will provide expert support for introducing flexible work arrangements such as telework, part-time regular employment, and side-job/secondary employment systems—from drafting or amending employment rules to filing notifications with the Labor Standards Inspection Office.

【Eligibility】

SMEs with headquarters in Shizuoka Prefecture and up to 300 employees seeking to introduce or improve flexible work arrangements

③ Step-Up Company Support (★50 companies, 2.5x increase from last year)

Comprehensive support for companies aiming to obtain certifications such as Eruboshi and Kurumin, including challenge identification, action plan updates, and practical, hands-on guidance toward certification. For companies previously supported, the same advisor will generally continue to provide consistent, long-term support.

【Eligibility】

SMEs with headquarters in Shizuoka Prefecture and up to 300 employees that have submitted a general employer action plan to the Shizuoka Labor Bureau under the Act on Promotion of Women's Participation and Advancement in the Workplace or the Act on Promotion of Measures to Support the Next Generation.

Program Overview

Item

Details

Number of Visits

2 visits (approx. 1 hour per visit) ※ Online consultations available

Number of Companies

① New Initiatives: 20 companies ② Diverse Work Styles: 20 companies ③ Step-Up: 50 companies

Cost

Free—advisor dispatch and travel expenses covered

Application Deadline

Friday, December 18, 2026 ※ Applications close once target number is reached

Testimonials from Companies in FY 2025

Published on 'Shizuoka Prefecture Wakuwaku Work Navi' (URL to be added upon publication)

Yamada Kogyo Co., Ltd.

Higashisakurae Social Welfare Corporation

Bexes Co., Ltd.

Contact: Ruru Career Co., Ltd. (Program Operator)

Please feel free to contact us:

Ruru Career Co., Ltd. Advisor Dispatch Program Team

Tel: 054-207-8001 ※ Business hours: Weekdays 9:00–17:00

Email: [email protected]

Address: 2F Ichiboshido, 1-6-29 Ando, Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka Prefecture

Established: November 2012 / CEO: Masaaru Hirai

Website: https://lulucareer.com/

＜Business Activities＞

- Organizational support based on human and organizational relationships

- Business partnership support centered on strategic HR

- Development and training programs to enhance human capabilities

- Individual support to assist managerial decision-making and leadership

- Planning and operation of diversity management promotion initiatives