uSonar Opens an In-Office Kids' Space
~As Part of ESG Management, Enabling Employees to Bring Children to Work to Facilitate Return from Parental Leave~

uSonar Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Chairman: Nami Fukutomi; President: Katsuhito Nagatake; hereinafter "uSonar") is pleased to announce the opening of an in-office kids' space as part of its ESG management initiatives. The goal is to provide an environment that makes it easier for employees wishing to return from maternity or parental leave to do so, even in cases where they are unable to secure childcare at a nursery school.
Usage will begin in March 2024. uSonar remains committed to developing an environment where employees can work comfortably for the long term.

The kids' space, established in a corner of a glass-walled meeting area. Employees can work while accompanied by their infants.

In Japan, while efforts to create environments where women can thrive are progressing, the issue of children on nursery school waiting lists persists in some regions, making it difficult for parents to return to work due to a lack of childcare options. We received feedback from our own employees on parental leave stating that they could not secure a spot at their preferred nursery school and therefore had no clear timeline for returning to work.
While some employees return to work using our existing remote work system, challenges remain regarding creative communication.
Therefore, we explored the option of increasing choices for "returning to work in an office-based style."
Full-scale consideration began in the autumn of 2023. We considered establishing an "employer-led childcare facility" with resident nursery teachers, but found that in addition to the difficulty of securing staff, it would take a significant amount of time to realize.
While searching for solutions, we learned of cases in local municipalities where parents can work in the office while caring for their children, known as "bringing children to work." We decided to pursue this approach.
As a result, we renovated an office meeting room to create a dedicated kids' space, taking into account child safety and the impact on the surrounding environment.

The kids' space is a room where employees wishing to return to work can work in the same room while directly caring for their children themselves.
The walls and floors are made of highly cushioned materials to prevent injury if a child falls.
Soundproofing measures have also been implemented to minimize noise leakage. The area is approximately 14 square meters.

• Intended for children up to 1 year and 11 months old for the time being
• No nursery teacher required (Confirmed with Shinjuku City Office and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, as the guardian is considered the person responsible for childcare. Internal staff with nursery teacher qualifications conduct regular checks)
• Available days and hours: Same as working hours
• Usage fees: Free

While we provide a remote work system for employees raising children that ensures a secure environment, remote work while caring for children presents challenges for fostering creative communication. We encourage employees to work from the office to engage in direct communication by utilizing the uSonar company housing program.*


*uSonar Company Housing Program: A system where the company covers up to 50% of rent and management fees if the commute to the office is within 1.5 kilometers. The coverage ratio and rent cap vary depending on the distance to the office and the resident's circumstances. This leads to improved performance through reduced commuting time and increased time available for self-development.