Radio NIKKEI and Otobank's Radio Program 'HR Compass' Features JT's Shinjima Yuichi and Sasaki Mihoko in July

Otobank Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hiroya Kubota; hereinafter 'Otobank'), which provides the corporate version of the audiobook subscription service 'audiobook.jp', co-produces the radio program 'HR Compass' with Radio NIKKEI. With the cooperation of 'Japan's HR Department', the program invites HR leaders and experts to discuss the latest HR strategies and organizational transformation. In July, the program will feature Shinjima Yuichi and Sasaki Mihoko from Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT) as monthly guests.

July Guests: Shinjima Yuichi and Sasaki Mihoko from JT, who are responsible for selecting and developing next-generation leaders

'HR Compass' invites HR leaders and experts active in the business world as monthly guests. Over four weeks, the program explores the latest HR strategies and organizational reforms, delving into the future of HR. In July, the program will feature Shinjima Yuichi and Sasaki Mihoko from JT's HR department, who are involved in the operation and planning of the 'JT-Next Leaders Program (NLP)', a program for selecting and developing next-generation leaders. The program will delve into JT's culture, which values independence and self-discipline, the full picture of 'NLP', which has been in operation for over 10 years, and the role of HR (HR) going forward.

The program will unravel the mechanisms of 'NLP', which JT has evolved to address the challenge of how to plan and place future management personnel in the face of increasing complexity and globalization of business structures. The program will introduce specific methods of operation, such as the adoption of a 'voluntary system' that allows anyone to challenge without the recommendation of supervisors or executives, the reasons for emphasizing the intrinsic motivation of individuals, strict selection criteria that sometimes result in zero certified individuals, and 'tough assignments' (stretch assignments) that break through the comfort zone as the core of growth support, providing specific hints for providing individualized growth opportunities while involving the field.

The first broadcast is on July 10 (Fri). You can also listen to it on radiko, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Guest Profiles

Shinjima Yuichi

Japan Tobacco Inc. HR Department Deputy Manager

Joined Japan Tobacco Inc. in 2010. After experiencing sales in the tobacco business, he was in charge of new graduate recruitment at the Business Planning Office. Later, he was transferred to the HR department and was involved in HR transfers and system operations. He is currently in charge of the talent management field and is working on the selection and development of next-generation leaders.

Sasaki Mihoko

Japan Tobacco Inc. HR Department Deputy Manager

Joined Japan Tobacco Inc. in 2017. After working in sales and business planning for the tobacco business, she was transferred to the HR department. She was in charge of company-wide training and management layer development measures. She is currently involved in the talent management field, focusing on the development of next-generation leaders, including the executive layer, including NLP.

Program Overview

・Program Name: HR Compass

・Broadcast Time: Every Friday 7:40～7:55 (Rebroadcast: Every Monday 7:40～7:55)

・Broadcast Media: Radio NIKKEI Channel 1, radiko, Podcast, audiobook.jp

*Note: You can listen to the broadcast for one week after it airs on radiko's Time-Free service.

・Production: Radio NIKKEI, Otobank

・Production Cooperation: Japan's HR Department

・Host: Wataru Ueda (Founder of Otobank Inc.)

・Program HP: https://www.radionikkei.jp/rashinban/

【July Broadcast Dates】

Week 1: July 10 Listen on radiko → https://radiko.jp/#!/ts/RN1/20260710074000

Week 2: July 17 Listen on radiko → https://radiko.jp/#!/ts/RN1/20260717074000

Week 3: July 24 Listen on radiko → https://radiko.jp/#!/ts/RN1/20260724074000

Week 4: July 31 Listen on radiko → https://radiko.jp/#!/ts/RN1/20260731074000

【Inquiries Regarding This Matter】

Otobank Inc. Public Relations Department Email: [email protected]

For other inquiries, please contact us here: https://www.otobank.co.jp/contact/

audiobook.jp Corporate Version

the corporate version of audiobook.jp is an audiobook subscription plan for corporations that allows you to listen to over 15,000 titles, mainly business books and self-help books, as much as you like. You can listen to audiobooks during commuting, housework, before bedtime, and other spare moments, making self-directed learning more accessible. It is used as a new employee benefit for both human resource development and enjoyment.

【Inquiries Regarding audiobook.jp Corporate Version】

Inquiry Form: https://business.audiobook.jp/cta_contact

Special Site for 'audiobook.jp Corporate Version': https://business.audiobook.jp/

audiobook.jp (Audiobook.jp)

Audiobook.jp is Japan's largest audiobook distribution service operated by Otobank Inc.

Starting distribution in 2007 from 'FeBe', the service was renewed and launched in March 2018. The service aims to expand the platform to promote the spread of audiobooks. In February 2024, the number of members exceeded 3 million. https://audiobook.jp/

【Service Overview】

・Service Name: 'audiobook.jp'

・Site URL: https://audiobook.jp/

・App Store Page: https://app.audiobook.jp/ios

・Google Play Page: https://app.audiobook.jp/android

・Fee System:

The subscription plan is ¥1,330 (tax included) per month. You can use it for free for two weeks from the date of enrollment.

Individual purchases are available for purchase per work. (*Mainly distributed at approximately the same price range as single-volume books (¥1,200～¥1,500)).

Otobank Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Hiroya Kubota)

Founded in 2004 with the mission of 'Creating a Culture of Listening', Otobank Inc. operates 'audiobook.jp', Japan's largest audiobook distribution service, and provides numerous audiobooks for production and distribution. The origin of the company's founding was the idea of the founder's grandfather, who suffered from glaucoma, to create a world where reading is enjoyable even with ears. Currently, the company also plans and produces podcasts to enhance corporate brand value and provides corporate audio services to support human resource development. Through the promotion of barrier-free reading and the proposal of a new lifestyle called 'ear activity', the company aims to realize a rich society created by audio.