SHIMADZU DE&I Week 2025
Fostering DE&I through Communication

Banner for the SHIMADZU DE&I Week 2025 webpage posted on the company intranet

Shimadzu Corporation has been holding in-house events to raise awareness of diversity annually since FY 2020. Starting in FY 2023, the scope was expanded in terms of theme, participants, and duration. Now known as “SHIMADZU DE&I Week,” it provides the Shimadzu Group worldwide with an opportunity to actively reflect on diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I). During SHIMADZU DE&I Week 2025 in December 2025, various programs were held under the theme “Fostering DE&I through communication—Words that connect, hearts that open—.”

 

Talk: “Creating a Workplace where People can Be themselves and Thrive”

We invited Sumito Sakabe and Genki Moriguchi, who run the LGBTQ+ community “Tsunagary Cafe,” to host a talk and workshop.

Speakers from Tsunagary Cafe: Sakabe (left) and Moriguchi (right)

In the talk “Creating a Workplace where People can Be themselves and Thrive—Sharing Experiences as a Same-Sex Couple—,” the discussion focused on key terms related to diverse sexualities and what individuals can do as understanding peers and supportive colleagues in the workplace. In the workshop that followed, participants discussed and exchanged opinions on questions designed to simulate various situations faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.

Participants shared feedback such as: “My understanding of LGBTQ+ topics deepened, and I now grasp the significance of companies introducing partnership programs,” and “I realized that beyond establishing rules, there are many situations where dialog is essential.” Sharing their values in an environment free from criticism allowed participants to gain new perspectives and deepen their mutual understanding.

Two Events to Enhance Psychological Safety and Expand Networks

Ensuring psychological safety in the workplace is a crucial element for improving individual performance and team productivity. Through the “Homekatsu” team learning program, designed to encourage a culture of praise, as well as at the cross-cultural networking event “Cross Culture Connect,“ participants spoke freely about their colleagues and about themselves.

In the “Homekatsu” team learning program, the participants, about 40 people, divided into 9 teams and experienced 4 different activities. Smiles came naturally as participants exchanged compliments. At the Cross Culture Connect networking event, foreign employees from eight countries and Japanese employees took part in themed discussions. They also created “Bombori” decorations using a traditional Kyoto braided cord known as “Kumihimo.”

Both events unfolded in a relaxed atmosphere. As reflected in comments like “I gained insight into colleagues’ thoughts that I hadn’t had the chance to discuss with them before,” “It felt a bit shy at first, but exchanging compliments was really fun,” “I felt closer to others,” and “It made me feel more comfortable reaching out to them going forward,” the session became a time to focus on each other’s perspectives and strengths.

Communication through Art

The “Senryu” competition and voting on submissions is a regular event of SHIMADZU DE&I Week. This year’s theme was “Communication,” and submissions expressed the importance of trying to convey messages and also experiences where messages didn’t get through. Newly introduced this year was a team entry category, where creating Senryu together became a springboard for dialog. We also saw active participation from overseas, demonstrating how SHIMADZU DE&I Week is gaining traction globally.

In addition, we again held an exhibition of works by artists with disabilities at our Kyoto Head Office and Tokyo Office. This event aims to provide an opportunity to encounter diverse forms of expression, respect each other’s individuality, and consider what it means to create a workplace where everyone can be thrive. Titled “Art Exhibition by Diverse Creators,” and with the cooperation of Kyoto Prefecture, we displayed works from “art space co-jin”—a venue operated by the prefecture where one can encounter works and expressions by people with disabilities—alongside artworks and novelty items created by Shimadzu employees with disabilities.

Exhibition of works provided by Kyoto Prefecture. The works were displayed in the meeting area, allowing Shimadzu visitors to view them as well

Shimadzu employees’ artworks (left) and novelty items featuring the artworks: notebooks and memo pads (right). The novelty items were made from 100 % recycled paper, sourced solely from within the company. They were hand-bound by employees

Global Feast, an International Menu

Dishes from the hometowns of Shimadzu foreign employees were featured once again as a one-week limited menu in the cafeterias at its Kyoto Head Office. Users shared feedback such as: “While eating my colleague’s hometown food, I heard stories about their family and memories from their student days, which made me feel closer.” “Having my hometown menu introduced allowed others to understand my background and cherished culture.” These responses reflected the event’s theme “Fostering DE&I through communication—Words that connect, hearts that open—.”

Dishes served at “Global Feast.” The special combination plate (right), showcasing multiple countries and regions at once, was a new offering this time

Other events included a daily quiz challenge in which over 1,000 people participated, a women’s health seminar, and Well-Being training—all designed to encourage broader employee participation.

Comment from the Organizing Committee

Our Promoting Diversity webpage details the Shimadzu Group’s initiatives to advance DE&I.