Applications Open for "Management Success Award 2026" to Honor Companies and Managers Achieving Management Success

mento Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Norihito Kimura; hereinafter referred to as "mento"), provider of the management success platform "mento," has decided to hold the "Management Success Award 2026" to honor companies and managers who have achieved management success, and will begin accepting applications today.

For the second year, in addition to internal recommendation slots from mento-adopting companies, a new general application slot will be established for the first time. Applications will be accepted via an entry form detailing the initiatives to support management by HR personnel and specific episodes from managers. We welcome applications from companies with practical knowledge of management success, regardless of industry or company size.

Award-winning companies are scheduled to participate in an awards ceremony and have their managers deliver pitches at the "Management Success Summit 2026" to be held on November 5, 2026 (Thu).

◾️Background of the Award

The "Management Success Award" is an award that recognizes companies and managers who have achieved management success. While the challenges faced by middle managers are often described as a "punishment game," there are many companies that are directly confronting these challenges and driving management transformation through trial and error. The purpose of this award is to honor such practical knowledge and stories and disseminate them as learning for managers nationwide.

Last year, at the first award ceremony, six companies and six managers candidly shared their stories of internal struggles and transformations, receiving much empathy and positive feedback. In 2026, for the second year, a "General Application Slot" will be established for the first time, where HR personnel can enter their company's initiatives and manager episodes. We welcome applications from a wide range of companies, regardless of whether they offer coaching.

◾️About "Management Success Award 2026"

Passion for Managers, Evolution for Teams, Transformation for Organizations

An award for companies and managers who have achieved management success

How did they confront internal barriers and team stagnation?

Each finalist company will introduce their management success initiatives, and the managers themselves will share their real-life challenges and breakthrough stories in a 5-minute pitch.

Please join us for an event that celebrates not only empathy but also the "passion and structure" that drive the future of organizations.

◾️Judging Criteria

1

Investment in Management

Are management support initiatives being implemented under a human capital management strategy?

2

Changes in Managers and Teams

Are managers demonstrating passion and driving change in themselves and their teams?

3

Impact and Reproducibility

Is there an impact on the entire organization, leading to reproducible knowledge and culture?

◾️Introduction of Judges

This award will be judged by experts and HR professionals active in the fields of management and human resource development. The judges confirmed at this time are introduced below.

Yuji Kobayashi Principal Researcher / Executive Officer, Think Tank Division, Persol Research and Consulting Institute

Completed the Master's Program in Sociology, Graduate School of Human Sciences, Sophia University. After working at NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute, and a general marketing research firm, he joined Persol Research and Consulting Institute in 2015. He conducts research and studies on various themes related to labor, organizations, and employment. His areas of expertise include human resource management theory and theoretical sociology. His publications include "Kanrishoku wa Batsu Game-ka Suru Kanrishoku" (Shueisha International), "Riskiringu wa Keiei Kadai" (Kobunsha), "Sōki Taishoku Jidai no Survival Jutsu" (Gentoshya), "Zangyō Gaku" (Kobunsha), and "Tenshoku Gaku" (KADOKAWA), among others.

Yuji Miki General Manager, Human Resources Development & Organizational Development Department, Asahi Kasei Corporation

After working at Nippon Life Insurance, Recruit, and Fuji Xerox, he joined Asahi Kasei in November 2019. As the head of human resource development, organizational development, and career development for the entire Asahi Kasei Group, he is working with his colleagues to promote a corporate culture that supports mutual challenges and growth. His guiding principles are "Reclaim Emotion, Unleash Individuality, Move Towards Society." He has received the Grand Prize in the Corporate HR Division at the "HR Award 2024" hosted by the Japan HR Association, and the Grand Prize in the "Career Ownership Management Award 2026" for transformation in talent acquisition and development.

◾️How to Apply

【Eligibility for Entry】

Companies that are promoting initiatives to support management within their organizations and have fostered passionate managers and teams. Please apply through HR or project promotion representatives.

【Items to Include】

1 Company and Initiatives

・Company Name ・Industry ・Number of Employees ・Background and Challenges for Starting Initiatives ・Details of Management Support Initiatives (implemented measures, programs, etc.)

2 Specific Episodes

・Challenges and Conflicts of Managers and Teams (Before) ・Changes in Managers and Teams (After) ・Results and Impact

【Entry Form】

Please apply via the URL below.

URL: https://share-na2.hsforms.com/1JjAhW3xeTOKZNCEA5y78kA4x2u5

【Screening Process】

STEP 1

Application via Entry Form (Application Period: July 8, 2026 - August 7, 2026)

STEP 2

Document Screening: First Round Selection (Evaluation based on judging criteria)

STEP 3

Finalist Selection and Notification to Companies (Scheduled for late August)

STEP 4

Finalist Kick-off and Pitch Practice (September - October)

STEP 5

Award Ceremony and Manager Pitch Presentation at "Management Success Summit 2026" (November 5, 2026)

◾️"Management Success Summit 2026" Overview

Title: Management Success Summit 2026 Rethinking Management

Date and Time: November 5, 2026 (Thu) 13:00 - 19:00 (Scheduled)

Venue: TRUNK BY SHOTO GALLERY 1F & 3F, 1-5-4 Shoto, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0046

Organizer: mento Inc.

* Participation registration will begin on September 1, 2025.

◾️About the Management Success Platform "mento"

"mento" is a "management success" platform that solves issues in middle management. With "Management Coaches" who specialize in changing manager behavior and "Management AI" developed specifically for solving management issues, it comprehensively addresses the concerns of middle managers and achieves management transformation for companies. https://www.mento.jp/

◾️About mento Inc.

"Making passion commonplace"

In an era overflowing with information and countless "correct answers," we aim to make it commonplace for people to live passionately in their own way. We are challenging ourselves to change the world from the human heart.

【Company Profile】

Company Name: mento Inc.

Location: 2F, Nippon Life Mita Building, 3-9-11 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Representative Director: Norihito Kimura

Establishment Date: February 2018

Business Activities: Development and operation of the management success platform "mento" https://mento.jp/

Corporate Website: https://mento.co.jp/