Revitalizing employees under the guidance of Kana Oyama, former representative of Japan

Taiyo Kogyo Corporation

(Tokyo headquarters: Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Osaka headquarters: Yodogawa-ku, Osaka; President: Hidefumi Araki), a “membrane manufacturer” that handles large membrane surface structures (tent structures) and other products, has invited Kana Oyama, a former representative of Japan’s volleyball team who is engaged in various lecture activities and volleyball promotion under the theme “Connecting The company has invited Kana Oyama, a former representative of Japan who has been giving lectures and promoting volleyball under the theme of “Connecting with others,” to coach all employees in the program.

Taiyo Kogyo is currently implementing the “employee development through volleyball” program, which was started by inviting Kana Oyama, a former member of the Japanese national team who competed in the Athens Olympics, to serve as a coach.
The goal of the program is to receive direct coaching from top athletes who know the rigors of the world and have been active on the world stage. The program provides an opportunity to learn how to be aware as a team and act on their own through technical volleyball instruction. This program started with a lecture by Kana Oyama in December last year, and was officially launched in April. As of the end of August, a total of 21 practice sessions (at 15 venues) had been held from Hokkaido in the north to Fukuoka in Kyushu in the south, with Kana Oyama providing direct guidance at each session.
Through this measure, we aim to nurture the spirit of “making everything about you” and communication skills. In addition to the practice sessions that Kana Oyama participated in, each team is planning and holding independent practice sessions and continuing to work on their own initiative.

As the culmination of nearly a year of efforts under the theme of “Connecting”, on Saturday, November 9, all players from our company and group companies, including mixed teams from overseas subsidiaries, will gather at the Panasonic Arena in Hirakata City, Osaka Prefecture, for the “Taiyo Group Volleyball Tournament for the Taiyo Cup” with the participation of Kana Oyama. The “Taiyo Group Volleyball Tournament” will be held in Hirai City, Osaka Prefecture, with the participation of Kana Oyama.

Taiyo Kogyo Corporation aims to become a “company that solves society’s problems” by strengthening the company’s organizational strength through “employee development through volleyball” and by instilling a sense of “connectivity” within the company, as Kana Oyama has stated.

Background to Introduction
The president of Taiyo Kogyo watched a TV program featuring Kana Oyama, and intuited that a method to enhance team power with the theme of “Connecting” could be used to strengthen the company’s organizational strength. Although it was an unusual request for a “corporate employee training,” Kana Oyama agreed to take on the challenge.
■Expected Effects
We hope that employees will develop a spirit of “making everything about themselves” and communication skills.

Competition Rules, etc.
Court size = 18m x 9m, Net height = 2m, Balls used = soft volleyball

Number of participants
Approx. 700 people, (29 teams from Taiyo Kogyo, 10 teams from group companies)

■Practice Format
At least one official practice session (practice time: 90 minutes) with Kana Oyama will be held, and thereafter, each team will independently practice securing a venue and creating a practice menu as part of team management.

Taiyo Group Volleyball Tournament for the Taiyo Cup
Scheduled date = Saturday, November 9 * Scheduled to start at 10:00 a.m.
Venue: Panasonic Arena (2-10 Kikuoka Minami-cho, Hirakata, Osaka 573-0091, Japan)
*We can also provide media coverage on the day of the event on a flexible basis upon request.

Name
Kana Oyama, Date of birth = June 19, 1984, Place of birth = Tokyo, Japan

■Biography
She started playing volleyball in the second grade of elementary school and won national championships at all ages in elementary, junior high, and high school. After graduating from high school, she joined the Toray Arrows women’s volleyball club.
She was selected for the Japanese national team for the first time in 2001 while still in high school, and has participated in all three major tournaments: the Olympics, the World Championships, and the World Cup. Nicknamed “Powerful Kana” for her powerful spikes, she was one of Japan’s leading players.
He retired from active volleyball in June 2010, and is now active in many areas, including lecturing nationwide, volleyball classes, commentary, and media appearances, while focusing on the development of the sports and volleyball worlds.

Company Name
Taiyo Kogyo Corporation; President: Hidefumi Araki; Headquarters: Tokyo and Osaka

Business Results
Consolidated sales = 58.1 billion yen (FY12/08)

Brief Personal History
Founded in 1922, the company has developed a wide range of products using “membrane materials” such as sheets and films. The company’s business domain covers a wide range of industries, including construction, civil engineering, and logistics. In the field of large membrane structures (tent structures), in particular, it has produced the roofs of the Tokyo Dome and the stands of Saitama Stadium 2002, as well as gymnasiums and large sports facilities in various regions of Japan and abroad. The company boasts the largest market share in the world and is a global company with sales subsidiaries in nine countries.