A financial magazine ranked Itochu Corporation as the second "happiest company" in Japan.

·The chairman received an email from one employee who was batting cancer, which read "Itochu is the best company in Japan". After this employee lost their battle with cancer, the chairman resolved to make the company even better. He took it upon himself to create a support system which allows employees to balance cancer care and work, enabling them to focus on their treatment without having to worry about their job even in the face of cancer. His efforts bore fruit and the support system was announced only three months after the idea was conceived.

Itochu believes that people can reach their full potential when they find a place they truly belong. This is why we set about creating a system where the entire company will treat and support employees like family, even in the face of more serious illnesses

Established the support system's core principles and promoted it internally:

1. Implement prevention measures to ensure employees don't develop cancer

2. Even if an employee gets cancer, they will not have to quit or suffer in silence

3. Ensure that employees receive support from everyone in the company

With the companywide support system, employees are given peace of mind that they will always have a place to return to and are not alone in their battle with cancer. As they will be surrounded by an understanding team of colleagues and superiors, the employee's motivation and sense of belonging will never waver even in the face of the illness, and this will ultimately lead to a cohesive and supportive work environment which will enhance the company's organizational capabilities

1. Created a support system which would allow employees to balance work and cancer treatment with the help of a support coordinator.

2. Counted work and cancer treatment balance as a performance indicator.

If an employee achieved their cancer treatment goals, they received a bonus payment and positive reviews in their work performance evaluation.

3. Strengthened early detection and prevention measures for cancer in partnership with the National Cancer Center Hospital.

4. Subsidized medical expenses for highly advanced medical cancer treatments which is usually paid for in full by the patient.

5. Relieved employees' anxiety about the future by ensuring supporting their bereaved family's educational costs and future employment.