The Sleep Network Hub “ZAKONE,” operated by NTT DX Partners and East Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT East), is launching “Health Management Promotion Support” for companies and local governments. This initiative aims to provide multifaceted support to make it easier for companies and local governments to implement sleep improvement measures, with a target of offering this support to 50 companies and municipalities by the end of fiscal 2024.
Supporting Companies and Municipalities in Their Sleep Improvement Efforts
Founded in September 2022, “ZAKONE” has grown into a corporate community specialized in sleep. As of August 2024, over 150 companies have joined, collaborating across different industries and fields to drive new value creation. As the importance of sleep improvement continues to rise, ZAKONE is introducing the new “Health Management Promotion Support” to help companies and municipalities take their first steps in this area.
Recently, the importance of sleep has become increasingly recognized in Japan, leading to a heightened interest in health management aimed at improving productivity and addressing presenteeism (being at work but with reduced efficiency due to health issues) among companies and local governments. However, there are few companies and municipalities actively working on sleep improvement, and many have expressed uncertainty about how to start. In response to this, ZAKONE is initiating support for sleep improvement through the “Health Management Promotion Support.”
The “Health Management Promotion Support” program offers three types of free support to make it easier for companies and municipalities to work on sleep improvement:
1.Seminars by Qualified Sleep Professionals
Regular seminars on sleep improvement will be held free of charge for employees and staff of member companies and municipalities. These seminars can be conducted online or offline and aim to provide accurate knowledge about sleep and raise awareness. Additionally, seminars for local businesses and residents will be supported in municipalities.
2.Matching Function with Service Providers
A matching function will be provided to introduce companies and municipalities to suitable services and products from member service providers. This allows them to start concrete sleep improvement efforts.
3.Provision of Case Studies and Information on Sleep Improvement Measures
Member companies and municipalities will receive regular updates on sleep improvement measures and initiatives from other companies and municipalities, helping them to form a concrete image of sleep improvement.
ZAKONE is also focusing on collaboration with local governments. By conducting sleep improvement seminars for local businesses and residents, ZAKONE aims to contribute to enhancing the quality of life and work environments in local communities. The first such collaboration with a local government has been confirmed with Rifu Town in Miyagi Prefecture, starting initiatives to revitalize and enhance the appeal of the region.
While ZAKONE has previously operated as a community led by service providers, it is now challenging itself to establish a new sleep tech economic zone through the “Health Management Promotion Support.” The goal is to evolve into a community where companies and local governments gather to aim for nationwide sleep improvement in Japan.
Click here for the press release.