High School, Technical College, and Junior High School Students Propose Corporate Work Style Reforms: Applications Open for "Labor Future Conference 2026" - HR Managers from "White Companies" to Judge, Four Days to Consider Future Work Styles from a Youth Perspective

Work-Life Balance Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoshie Komuro; hereinafter "the Company"), which has been involved in work style reform consulting for over 3,600 companies since its founding in 2006, will co-host the presentation contest "Labor Future Conference 2026" (hereinafter "this event") for high school, technical college, and junior high school students, to be held from Tuesday, August 4 to Friday, August 7, 2026. This event is a project that originated from a proposal by high school students, where participants will make practical proposals on the theme of corporate work style reform. HR managers from "white companies" that have successfully implemented work style reforms, along with work style experts, will serve as judges. The event aims to provide an opportunity to consider the future work styles of companies from the perspective of young people who will lead the next generation.

Amidst labor shortages and changing values among young people, companies are increasingly required to balance "ease of working" with "results." On the other hand, there are not many opportunities for young people who are about to enter society to proactively learn about work styles and convey their opinions to companies. This event was born out of the concern of high school students that "students have few opportunities to learn about work styles." The Company, having supported the work style reforms of over 3,600 companies, empathizes with the purpose of this event and is co-hosting it. Participants will deepen their learning through company visits and feedback from experts, while creating "proposals to further advance corporate work style reforms" and presenting them to company executives and HR managers on the final day.

▲Labor Future Conference 2026

◆"Labor Future Conference 2026" to Consider the Future of Companies from a Youth Perspective This event was born out of the concern of high school students that "students have few opportunities to learn about work styles. However, everyone will have to face work once they enter society." With the goal of creating an opportunity for themselves to think about ideal work styles and the state of companies, and to make proposals to society before advancing to higher education or employment, three high school students initiated the first conference in 2025.

In the first conference, high school and technical college students from across the country discussed corporate work style reforms and presented their proposals to company executives and HR managers. Participants commented, "My perspective on work has changed" and "I felt a connection to society by engaging in dialogue with companies." This year, the student who received the Grand Prize at "Labor Future Conference 2025" has taken on the role of Executive Committee Chairperson. They are now in a position to pass on the experience gained as a participant to the next generation and are playing a central role in the second conference.

This event continues to grow as a platform for young people, the future workforce, to not passively accept "work" but to actively think about it and envision the future while engaging in dialogue with companies and society.

◆Labor Future Conference 2026 Event Overview - Dates: Tuesday, August 4 - Friday, August 7, 2026 - Format: Online (Zoom planned) *On-site company visits may be possible depending on circumstances. - Organizer: Labor Future Conference Project (High School Student Volunteers) - Co-organizer: Work-Life Balance Co., Ltd. - Judges: HR managers from companies with a track record in work style reform, work style experts - Application Method: Applications open from June 3 - Application URL: https://miraikaigi2026.peatix.com/view - Awards: Grand Prize and multiple other awards planned - Participation Fee: Free

◆Judges - Daisuke Ikeda, Managing Director, Onward Holdings Co., Ltd. - Yoshihisa Aono, President and CEO, Cybozu, Inc. - Hideaki Ishikura, Executive Director, Shintaro Yamada Foundation for D&I - Yoshie Komuro, President, Work-Life Balance Co., Ltd.

◆Comments from the Executive Committee Chairperson

Executive Committee Chairperson: Taiki Minegishi "When you hear 'future of work,' how many junior high and high school students today immediately think 'This is it!'? Perhaps not many can form a concrete image right away. I was the same way until last year. But, prompted by the term 'work-life balance,' I deepened my learning, worked on presentations, and this year I've reached the point of serving as Executive Committee Chairperson. Won't you think a little about our future work styles? We look forward to your participation!"

◆Media Inquiries Media representatives wishing to cover this event, please apply via the following. - Contact: Tamura, Public Relations, Work-Life Balance Co., Ltd. Email: [email protected] Phone: 03-5730-3081 Mobile: 080-3347-3081 (Tamura)

◆About Work-Life Balance Co., Ltd. Since its founding in 2006, the Company has focused on improving both business performance and employee motivation through work style reforms, primarily through its work style reform consulting business. To date, it has supported over 3,600 companies, including local governments and public offices. The company's strength lies in organizational reforms for companies with a culture of long working hours, achieving results such as a 30% reduction in overtime and an 18% increase in operating profit, or an 81% reduction in overtime with a fourfold increase in paid leave utilization and a threefold increase in profit margin.

Company Name: Work-Life Balance Co., Ltd. Representative: Yoshie Komuro, President Website: https://work-life-b.co.jp/ Established: July 2006 Capital: 10 million yen

Main Business Activities: Work style reform consulting, lectures, training, content business, consultant training, development and provision of IT services to support work style reform, "AsuMail.com," "Work-Life Balance Organizational Diagnosis," "Navigating Work and Childcare," and the card game experiential training "Life Switch." Track Record: Over 3,600 companies (including Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Kashima Corporation Chubu Branch; Sumitomo Life Insurance Company; Aisin Corporation; Cabinet Office; Mie Prefecture; Saitama Prefectural Board of Education, etc.)

◆Profile of Representative Yoshie Komuro From September 2014, she served as a private-sector member of the Abe Cabinet's "Industrial Competitiveness Council," working towards the enforcement of work style reform-related legislation and speaking during Diet deliberations in 2019, contributing to its enforcement in April 2019. She promotes work style reform from both national policy and business perspectives. While receiving 200 lecture requests annually, she herself balances work and life as a mother of two, with zero overtime.