[Joint Announcement] Establishing an Okinawan-originated 'Chimugukuru'-based Organizational Change DX Talent Development Model

Kariyushi Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Onna Village, Okinawa; Representative Director: Masayo Oyadomari), a hotel business operator in Okinawa, and REIONE (Headquarters: Tokyo; Representative Director: Yusuke Kawanishi), a professional group supporting corporate transformation, have completed the 'DX Talent Development Program' for fiscal year 2025.

Through this program, 20 new 'DX Evangelists'—leaders who solve on-site issues with digital tools and drive organizational change by involving their peers—have been born. Furthermore, over 50 employees completed 'DX Literacy Training' to support the foundation of company-wide transformation, establishing a robust DX promotion system with a consistent common language from management to the front lines. This initiative established a unique talent development approach combining leader cultivation and company-wide literacy improvement. They aim to expand this as a reproducible DX promotion model based on the Okinawan spiritual culture of 'Chimugukuru' (heart of consideration).

### Background: Why an established hotel invested in talent involving both management and the front lines In an era where the tourism and lodging industry faces serious labor shortages and diversifying customer needs, Kariyushi has continuously invested in talent since 2022, sending students to the Okinawa Prefecture DX Talent Development Course operated by REIONE, based on the belief that 'the essence of DX is not tool introduction but people-building (organizational culture reform).'

This year, to elevate the activities of a few leaders into a 'company-wide movement,' they further strengthened hierarchy-specific training. By having management set a DX vision and training change leaders (Evangelists) who are not isolated on-site, while simultaneously increasing the understanding (literacy) of those around them, they aimed for 'creation of happiness' by accelerating traditional hospitality through digital means.

### Key Outcomes of FY2025: 20 Evangelists and 50+ Supporters driving change Based on REIONE's 'Hierarchy-Specific Talent Development Approach,' mentors who are active professionals in strategy formulation and problem-solving provided thorough accompaniment, creating the following results:

1. **Launch of site-led transformation by 20 'DX Evangelists'** Twenty leaders selected from each department acquired change management methods based on psychological safety. These individuals, who know the 'pain of the site,' were certified as 'DX Evangelists' and are now ready to lead autonomous improvement projects in their respective departments.

2. **Establishment of a common language with 50+ 'DX Literacy' holders** More than 50 front-line staff completed training on the background of DX and the basics of the latest digital technologies, including generative AI. This formed a 'soil to accept change' where the organization can smoothly understand, accept, and execute proposals from leaders.

3. **Creation of 'mental margins' to deepen hospitality** The trained talent took the lead in reviewing business operations and starting digitalization. The 'Kariyushi-style DX model' has begun in earnest, converting the 'time margin' created by reducing wasteful tasks into deeper hospitality for guests.