The " sustainable growth Company Awards 2025" awards ceremony was held, and the grand prize went to Shabon-dama Soap.

Funai Soken Holdings Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and Group CEO : Takayuki Nakatani) held the " sustainable growth Company Award 2025" awards ceremony (operated by Funai Consulting Inc. ) on Thursday, August 21st. From approximately 12,000 companies selected from our business partners and general entries from outside the company, 50 companies that serve as industry models were nominated based on the judging criteria. From the 33 finalist companies that advanced to the final judging, 14 particularly outstanding companies were selected to receive awards. The Grand Prize for sustainable growth Growth Company was awarded to Shabondama Soap Co., Ltd.

This award defines and recognizes companies as sustainable growth Companies" that achieve sustainable growth while aiming to transform their communities and industries and have a positive impact on Society and the nation. Through the award Initiatives , we aim to support the healthy development of corporations, organizations, and individuals that are expected to make a significant contribution to Society , and to contribute to the progress of Society .

The 14 companies that received the " sustainable growth Company Award 2025," and the reasons for their awards.
" sustainable growth Company Award"
Shabondama Soap Co., Ltd. (Head office: Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture; President : Hayato Morita)

Founded in 1910 (Meiji 43), the company shifted its focus from synthetic detergents to the manufacture and sale of additive-free soap in 1974, prompted by the previous president's own skin problems. Since then, it has adhered to its corporate philosophy of "protecting healthy bodies and clean water." This decision led to a crisis with a 99% drop in sales, but the company overcame this hardship by remaining unwavering in its beliefs, continuing to advocate for the value and potential of soap, and listening to customer feedback. Since achieving profitability in 1991, it has achieved strong growth through product development and value propositions that align with its philosophy and consumer benefits. In recent years, Initiatives in Sustainability and DX, such as reducing Environment impact and implementing smart factories, have been highly praised for their Society contribution and innovation. Furthermore, its water quality improvement using soap in collaboration with local governments is expected to serve as a new model for Regional Revitalization . The company is a sustainable 100-year-old company that uses the "story" that permeates its management philosophy as its competitive advantage, continuing to grow sustainably while coexisting with Society .

'10 Billion Enterprise Award'
Yokoyama Kogyo Co., Ltd. (Head office: Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture; President : Eisuke Yokoyama)

While growing its core automotive parts business 2.9 times to 8.9 billion yen in the last nine years, the company diversified its business into building materials, solar power, and the consumer brand "BIRDY." based on the manufacturing technology cultivated there, achieving 10 billion yen Net sales in its 72nd year of operation. The success of "BIRDY.", which applies precision metal processing technology, demonstrates the company's high level of technical capability and innovation. This product, which reflects the opinions of professionals and pursues essential values such as functionality and taste, has become a hit product sold in 24 countries and regions worldwide. Furthermore, its foresight is evident in its promotion of solar power generation business, which has grasped Society need for decarbonization. A corporate culture that deepens its core business while boldly challenging itself in different fields with an eye on the future is the driving force behind its sustainable growth.

'DX Impact Award'
Telmic Co., Ltd. (Head office: Kariya City, Aichi Prefecture, President : Hidenori Tanaka)

In the order placement and receiving process for metal parts processing, DX (Digital Transformation) was thoroughly promoted with a unique production management system at its core. A system was built that maximizes the use of data and technology for management decisions and on-site improvements, including the real-time visualization of sales performance and production information, and the utilization of AI and RPA. As a result, quotation time was dramatically reduced to a minimum of 45 minutes and an average of less than 24 hours, improving customer satisfaction. Remarkable improvements in operational efficiency and productivity were also achieved. Work style reforms, which advocated "zero paper, zero overtime, and zero routine work," reduced overtime work by 41%, and a new model of Manufacturing women can shine was established through the use of digital technology. Efficient human resource development was also achieved, enabling even inexperienced employees to perform tasks at the level of veterans in a short period of time. This advanced smart factory, realized through ingenuity of existing technologies without massive investment, has become a model for many small and medium-sized enterprises, and is a leading force in DX in the industry, with more than 2,700 companies visiting annually for inspections.

Employee Success Award
Net Protections Holdings, Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Shin Shibata)

The company boasts an exceptionally high organizational SANBO score of 89.2, an indicator of employee engagement. This is due to its intentional recruitment of "transformative individuals" who question conventional wisdom and act with intrinsic Energy , thereby building a foundation for adaptability to change and creativity. Most new businesses are born from the bottom up by young employees, and the culture of challenging themselves to achieve profitability while involving those around them directly contributes to employee job satisfaction. Furthermore, the company has implemented a 360-degree evaluation system, allowing all employees to participate in evaluations, eliminating bias in evaluations and fostering an environment where everyone can grow as a leader. This also contributes to high employee satisfaction. In terms of business, the company pioneered the BNPL (buy Now, Pay Later) market in Japan, contributing to economic development as a secure payment infrastructure. In addition to its solid foundation in Japan, it is expanding into the Asian market, and continues to achieve sustainable global growth under a stable financial position.

Customer Delight Award
Unite and Grow Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President : Kiichiro Suda)

Established in February 2005, the company celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. It has established a stable revenue base through customer acquisition primarily via web inquiries, word-of-mouth, and referrals, and boasts a high customer retention rate of 80%. Performance has steadily expanded, with eight consecutive periods of increased revenue and profit. Addressing social challenges of IT talent shortages among small and medium-sized enterprises, the company offers a "shared employee service" that shares people and knowledge as needed. This unique model utilizes a quasi-delegation contract to time-share in-house IT engineers (corporate engineers). The company's purpose is to contribute to the development of the Japanese economy by realizing customer objectives and fostering business growth through the overall advancement of the client's IT department. The company is committed to building an organization that provides a foundation for sustainable growth by implementing comprehensive training programs, transparent evaluation systems, incentives, and stock-based compensation programs to improve employee motivation and retention.

Small Business Award
Agatha Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President : Chiemi Kamakura)

Agatha, a cloud-based service for managing clinical research and clinical trial documents, has fundamentally streamlined and standardized the complex document management of clinical trials and research through digital transformation (DX), contributing to faster new drug development and cost reduction. It has maintained high growth of over 50% over the past few years, and in Japan, it has been adopted by over 1300 clinical trial sites, establishing itself as the No. 1 market share holder in the country. Globally, leveraging its development base in France, it has shown remarkable progress, expanding to over 30 companies in 16 countries. Boasting a high customer loyalty rate of 2-3% annually, it evolves its service through co-creation with customers via its user community. Furthermore, because the clinical trial field has unified regulations globally, it has the advantage of easily expanding overseas with a single product. Using DX as a means, it is also contributing to solving social challenges such as improving access to healthcare through increased efficiency in drug development and reducing Environment impact through paperless processes.

Global Award
Nippon Agriculture Co., Ltd. (Head office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director & CEO: Shohei Naito)

Driven by a strong desire to "bring Japanese agriculture to the world," the company has achieved the largest domestic apple export volume. In particular, it has secured the No. 1 market share in Indonesia and the Philippines, dramatically increasing its presence in the Asian market through Initiatives to transform Japanese agriculture into a growth industry. Advanced technologies such as high-density planting and the introduction of one of Japan's largest sorting facilities have dramatically improved production efficiency and cost competitiveness, building a robust supply chain for stable supply of high-quality fruit and contributing to its international competitiveness. Furthermore, its "Made by Japan" strategy of locally producing and selling "Akihime" strawberries in Thailand has opened up new markets. Domestically, it contributes to the spread of "profitable agriculture" through production support, creating a virtuous cycle of domestic revitalization and strengthened international competitiveness. In the future, it is expected that this successful model will be expanded to rice, tea, peaches, grapes, and other products, leading the globalization of Japanese agriculture as a whole.

Public Service Award
Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture (Location: Sakata City, Yamagata Prefecture; Mayor: Akiko Yaguchi)

Sakata City in Yamagata Prefecture has declared its aim to become "Japan's easiest city for women to work in" in response to the serious population decline problem of young women migrating to urban areas. To achieve this, the city has established three pillars: "creating a comfortable working Environment ," "supporting work-life balance," and "supporting women's challenges." It is promoting the creation of a city where everyone can work comfortably by implementing measures that encourage a change in mindset and behavior among employers, families, and employees. As a result, the city has achieved the highest number of companies with the "Eruboshi certification," a mark of a company Women's Empowerment among municipalities of similar size nationwide. This outstanding achievement and the city's stance have resonated with people, creating a positive economic cycle that has led to the establishment of new IT companies and job creation. Furthermore, by promoting the introduction of renewable Energy such as offshore wind power generation and enhancing industrial competitiveness through a balance between the economy and Environment , the city is charting a clear path to sustainable regional economic growth.

"Performance Improvement Award"
FDS Co., Ltd. (Head office: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Representative Director: Takashi Fukuchi)

24 consecutive periods of increased revenue and profit embody "sustainable growth" in the highly volatile real estate industry. This growth is based on a "vertically integrated business model" that handles everything from land acquisition and design to construction, sales, and management within the company group. This allows for both efficient business operations and a high level of customer trust. Furthermore, the "two-pronged" strategy of sales and ownership is a major strength. This "two-pronged" strategy enabled the company to achieve increased revenue and profit even during the Lehman Shock. By acquiring land that can be owned by the company even in situations where selling is difficult, it has built a stable system that allows it to continue operations under any economic conditions, achieving sustained performance improvement. In addition, a clear management philosophy and an open organizational culture that prioritizes employee job satisfaction strongly support the provision of high-quality services and corporate growth.

'100th Anniversary Enterprise Award'
Umenoyado Sake Brewing Co., Ltd. (Head office: Katsuragi City, Nara Prefecture; Representative Director & CEO: Kayo Yoshida)

As a local sake brewery boasting a 132-year history, under the leadership of its fifth-generation female brewery owner, the company continues to innovate and pioneer the liqueur market. Its secret to longevity lies in its "proactive tradition," which builds upon tradition while venturing into new fields. Using unique technology, it produces fruit-forward liqueurs, and its strong relationships with suppliers ensure a stable supply of raw materials, giving it a clear competitive advantage. With a corporate mission to "excite the world with surprise and inspiration," the company has expanded its sales channels to over 25 countries. In business succession, it selects individuals who can be entrusted with the company's continuity, regardless of blood relation or gender, and strengthens its management foundation with a view to the next generation through generous investment in employees and the implementation of smart factory initiatives. This fearless innovation is what makes it a 100-year-old company.

M&A /Business Succession Award
Sakura Medical Corporation (Head office: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture; Chairman: Motohiro Kurose)

With aggressive M&A in both the medical and dental sectors at the core of its growth strategy, the company has rapidly expanded its business, achieving sales of 5.1 billion yen in FY 2024. In particular, its "business succession type M&A ," which prioritizes employment and the continuation of regional medical care for medical institutions struggling with succession issues, is a pioneering Initiatives .
Furthermore, the business model of promoting the early detection of systemic diseases through collaboration between dental and medical practices is rare globally and has great Society significance. In the post-merger integration (PMI) process, the company rapidly introduced its unique operational know-how and DX tools, prioritizing patient satisfaction above all else. As a result, it achieved a patient retention rate of over 90% and a five-fold increase in the number of patients in five years. These results are not merely due to expansion in scale, but rather the realization of the philosophy of "making everyone involved happy" with a high level of ethical standards.

"Unique Business Model Award"
Hagiwara Industries Co., Ltd. (Head office: Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture; President : Kazushi Asano)

The company's strength lies in its unique product development capabilities, which maintain sustainable competitiveness by deepening and evolving its flat yarn technology, a core technology developed over more than 60 years since its founding, while prioritizing quality even amidst fierce price competition. Overseas, it adheres to the principle of "local production for local consumption," establishing factories locally and developing products that meet local needs in collaboration with local personnel. Furthermore, by development local executives rather than Japanese executives, it has built a sustainable global organization that serves as a model for other companies. In a male-dominated manufacturing environment, it actively listens to opinions on "problems on the factory floor" from female and foreign employees, creating a comfortable working environment and integrating diverse perspectives into value creation, which is also highly unique. With disciplined management decisions that include the "courage to withdraw," the company effectively utilizes resources, and, backed by a business structure that is resilient to changes in the external Environment and sound financial discipline, it achieves both steady Net sales growth and a strong financial position.

" Society Impact Award"
BABY JOB Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Representative Director: Koji Ueno)

The subscription-based service "Hands-Free Daycare" offers a concrete solution to the "time poverty" caused by the burden of parents preparing their belongings and the workload of childcare workers. Its business growth directly contributes to childcare support, women's empowerment, and retention of childcare personnel, making it a highly Society responsible business model. The concept of "sharing the joy of potty training" and the secure cancellation system have been well-received by users, not only reducing the burden but also making the parenting experience more positive. The company has achieved both nationwide expansion and high sales growth of over 70%, establishing a strong management foundation. Moving forward, it plans to expand its services to include other burden-reducing items such as bedding and aprons, and is pursuing global expansion with Taiwan as a foothold, further contributing to the realization of a sustainable Society .

Special Jury Prize
Kakuichi Co., Ltd. (Head office: Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture; Representative Director: Riyu Tanaka)

For 139 years since its founding, this long-established venture company has continuously innovated and transformed itself in retail, wholesale, manufacturing, overseas expansion, sales, and service industries. Its entrepreneurial spirit, which grasps social challenges such as decarbonization and population decline through dialogue with customers and creates diversified businesses, has been passed down and forms the foundation of its success. Learning from the experience of the Great East Japan Earthquake, the company leased the roof of its own garage to start a solar power generation business, building a system to continuously produce renewable energy in-house and reinvesting the revenue into agricultural support and local communities, creating a unique Regional Revitalization model. With a strong integrated system from manufacturing to sales, installation, and maintenance nationwide, it has established an overwhelming presence among farmers throughout Japan. Internally, it utilizes Slack to provide each employee with opportunities for challenge and realizes an independent, decentralized network. Constantly challenging itself with new things, pursuing uniqueness and absolute value, it creates new technologies and services in Energy and agriculture sectors, connecting local communities and revitalizing Japan. Its business model has attracted attention both domestically and internationally, including recognition in Ukraine's reconstruction efforts.

' sustainable growth Company Award' Special Website
https://sgca.funaisoken.co.jp/

▼Please see our website for eligibility requirements and the eligibility process.
https://sgca.funaisoken.co.jp/about/#process

Contact Us regarding this matter
Funai Soken Holdings Inc. Co., Ltd.
Corporate Strategy Department, Public Relations Team
Email: pub@funaisoken.co.jp