Human Resources Management

This coaching program based on strategic dialogue is targeted at people who make management decisions, and is designed to create positive change in management activities over a span of roughly 10 months (12 hours of coaching per person). Before starting the program, specific tools are used to make participants more aware and visualize the impact that they are unconsciously having on the organization, how managers and members feel about their current conditions, and the ideals that they aspire to. The theme for the program is decided based on the organizational issues and leadership issues that have been identified. A professional coach accompanies the participants in executing a hands-on strategy. In addition, six months after the end of the coaching program, we provide opportunities to visualize the changes and apply the learnings for future management.

To train future executives who are expected to be active in the Group on a global scale, the program aims to acquire management literacy and develop a global network. We invite next-generation future executives from our group companies around the world to participate in the Group's proprietary 10-month training program, where participants can learn strategic thinking skills, global leadership skills, and action learning, in collaboration with Mannheim Business School and Hitotsubashi University Business School, which are among the top business schools in Germany and Japan, respectively.

Module #1 started online in February 2021, and the final Module #3 was conducted face-to-face at our Head Office in November 2022. In Module #3, participants made proposals to top management on VISION 2030, which was the theme of the action learning session, and a lively exchange of ideas took place.

This program provides local leaders of the Group and its global companies with the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the Group's strategy and culture, and to acquire leadership skills. Manager candidates from major sites around the world work together at each region through discussions. It was postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is scheduled to resume in fiscal 2023.

In order for talented human resources to demonstrate their abilities, regardless of time constraints caused by life events, such as childcare and nursing care, or differences in nationality, race, ethnicity, or religion, line managers need to improve their management skills. Mitsui Chemicals focuses on developing leadership skills to lead the organization toward an even better direction by incorporating coaching methods into training programs for each level of line manager training and by encouraging core leaders in each division to take specific and innovative actions in their daily business activities. The normalization of online training programs has enabled the participation of employees with time constraints due to parenting, nursing, and other life events, regardless of where their business sites are located, thereby realizing a training system that accommodates diversity.

As a result of reviewing the requirements by position for the start of VISION 2030, we have newly introduced a “Strategic Thinking Leadership” training, because group leaders are required to have the ability to lead change and have a managerial perspective to manage the company and its businesses as a whole beyond the organization. To achieve VISION 2030, we will develop leaders who will draw a strategic story from new perspectives and promote and execute the strategy.

The role of companies in the era of the 100-year lifespan is shifting from “continued employment” to “career development.” In order to improve employee engagement, it is essential to create a framework for further career and growth opportunities. Based on our basic human resource development policy of “self-initiative, autonomy, and collaboration,” we launched the “Autonomous Career Development Promotion” in fiscal 2022 to embody the independence and autonomy of each and every employee.

As a basic strategy for promoting digital transformation under VISION 2030, Mitsui Chemicals aims to improve our digital literacy and shift to a data-driven organizational culture by improving the literacy of all employees and training them to acquire specialized skills. In fiscal 2021, we launched a group-wide E-learning program to quickly improve our employees' digital literacy. In addition, we will enhance our training and education programs to develop data scientists and AI-related technologies and establish a system for promoting these initiatives mainly through internal efforts.

This is a program for future generation leaders to help them understand their roles as leaders and acquire the necessary knowledge and skills. Selected candidates from young employees from the Asia-Pacific and other regions work through this 5-day program, including business simulations.