[Japan First] Regional Enterprises in Higashi-Mikawa Collaborate with a Startup! Launching a Pilot Program for Sustainable Workplace Environments through "Bereavement Support"

Waterhuman Inc. (Headquarters: Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kakuaki Shintani; hereinafter "Waterhuman") announces the launch of a pilot program regarding "bereavement and productivity" in collaboration with a coalition of companies in the Higashi-Mikawa region (eastern Aichi Prefecture), centered around "emCAMPUS STUDIO," an innovation hub operated by the Sala Group—a conglomerate of 48 life-related companies led by Sala Corporation (Headquarters: Toyohashi, Aichi; President: Goro Kamino).

Historically, Japanese society relied on local ties and traditional rituals to support bereaved families. However, the weakening of local communities and the rise of nuclear families have led to an increasing burden. Furthermore, with the onset of a "super-aging society" where many are expected to face the loss of relatives within the next five years, and a shrinking workforce, the number of "working chief mourners"—employees juggling complex procedures and grief while working—is surging. Providing mental care and reducing the administrative burden for these employees has become a critical management issue affecting corporate sustainability.

✦ Co-creation in Higashi-Mikawa This pilot program originated at emCAMPUS STUDIO. While Waterhuman initially struggled to find a testing field, emCAMPUS STUDIO, which supports entrepreneurs in the region, acted as a bridge. Seven local companies in the manufacturing and logistics sectors, which form the backbone of the Higashi-Mikawa economy, resonated with the company's vision and joined the initiative, demonstrating that the region has the soil to turn startup challenges into social implementation.

By leveraging emCAMPUS STUDIO, the project aims to create new value in supporting grieving employees, updating the region to be the most "challenger-friendly" and "worker-friendly" area in Japan.

Novelty of the "Higashi-Mikawa Model" The scheme, where a regional hub connects diverse SMEs to simultaneously verify a startup's service, is unprecedented.

1. Eliminating Search Costs and Verification Risks for SMEs: By having a core company act as a "connoisseur," multiple SMEs can verify services simultaneously, minimizing costs and risks per company. 2. Ensuring Statistical Significance: While a single SME may only see a few bereavement cases per year, a coalition allows for the collection of diverse data in a short period, enabling meaningful analysis. 3. Private-Sector Led Ecosystem: Unlike government-led projects, this is an autonomous coalition based on trust and local ties between private companies, allowing for flexible, field-oriented verification.