Creating a Comfortable Workplace for Employees with Disabilities
—Working together to turn diverse backgrounds into value—
The Aozora Group is committed to creating a workplace environment and fostering understanding to ensure that employees with diverse backgrounds, including those with disabilities, can play active roles. In 2021, Aozora received the Excellent Company Award for the Employment of Persons with Disabilities (Tokyo Governor’s Award). In 2026, the Bank was selected as a “Barrier-free Mindset” Good Practice Company for 2025 by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
<“Barrier-free Mindset” Good Practice Company selected by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government>
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government registers companies working to raise employees’ awareness as “Barrier-Free Mindset” Support Companies. Among these registered companies, those demonstrating particularly outstanding initiatives from the perspective of innovation, originality, and impact are selected and announced as “Barrier-free Mindset” Good Practice Companies.
To work with peace of mind
A range of measures have been implemented to make the workplace more accessible and comfortable for employees with disabilities. To ensure employees with visual impairments feel at ease, for example, we have introduced reading and text resizing software as well as enhanced vision equipment. We also use UD Talk®* in response to suggestions received from employees with hearing impairments, who in turn conduct workshops on its usage. UD Talk® is now utilized as a matter of routine in internal online meetings, video-based training sessions, and other occasions. We have established an environment in which it is easy to seek advice, including regular meetings tailored to individual preferences.
- UD Talk® is a speech-to-text app using voice recognition systems.
Career building support program
Many employees utilize the career building support program. Some of them aim to obtain professional qualifications and certifications and others participate in the year-round Job Support Program (in-house side jobs), which allows participants to gain practical experience in their preferred divisions without a personnel transfer while continuing in their current roles. They are broadening the scope of their careers by taking the opportunity to think proactively about their career development.
Sign language lessons
To offer an opportunity to learn sign language as a language in its own right with the aim of facilitating communication and building a solid internal network beyond divisions, employees with hearing impairments regularly conduct sign language lessons both in person and online. Through practical lessons, we deepen our understanding of the characteristics of disabilities as well as challenges facing those with disabilities, while also learning how to communicate from the other person’s perspective. This in turn leads to the creation of an environment in which everyone can work comfortably.
While engaging in sign language-related activities since 2020, we launched the cross-divisional Kotonoha project a year ago, simply driven by the desire to promote sign language as a recognized language. Since the launch of Kotonoha, an increasing number of people within the Bank have been greeting us using sign language, and we truly feel that the significance of this initiative is taking hold.
Simulated experiences of disabilities
As part of our efforts to share information about the conditions faced by people with disabilities and deepen the understanding of diversity, we offer on an ongoing basis simulated experiences of disabilities such as visual and hearing impairments as well as physical disabilities (using a wheelchair). By deepening their understanding of a range of people with disabilities present in society as well as by experiencing simulated disabilities, participants come to view the issue as a personal matter and apply this insight to their daily interactions with customers. In recent years, employees with disabilities have been serving as instructors, primarily in divisions that make in-person contact with customers, to expand initiatives to, for example, share the insights gained from their actual experiences.
- Participant I:
- Actually experiencing disabilities exposed me to the inconvenience as well as emotions that I had never felt before.
- Participant K:
- I realized that what I take for granted is not necessarily taken for granted by others.
- Participant A:
- This experience brought home to me, once again, the importance of imagining the other person’s point of view and responding with compassion. I would like to apply these insights to how I serve all customers, not only those with disabilities, but also the elderly and anyone requiring special consideration.
Abilympics
Aozora Group employees won the Gold Prize in the Database category and received the Award for Effort in the DTP category at the 24th Tokyo Skills Competition for Persons with Disabilities (Tokyo Abilympics). The skills and experience gained through the competition are being applied to daily tasks and to enhancing the skills of the entire workplace. The gold prize winner will compete as the Tokyo representatives in the Database category at the All-Japan Abilympics event.
- Workplace tours held (for high school students from special needs schools)
- Participation in the “Vocational Rehabilitation Workshop” held by the Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers
- Instructor sent to a training session run by the “Skill Improvement Project for Cooperation with Employment Support Project Organizations” under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau of Social Welfare
- Implementation of programs at mental health day care centers and labor transition support offices as a means to support preparing for the stable employment of people with disabilities who are seeking jobs
Interviews with Employees with disabilities
- Q.What kind of work do you do?
- A.I am responsible for dispatching all our mail from various divisions to destinations both inside and outside the Bank as well as collecting and delivering mail for our internal courier services operating between specific locations. We handle an average of about 500 mail items a day, and the volume can reach several thousand during peak periods. Under the Job Support Program, I also undertake tasks relating to documents entrusted to us by customers.
- Q.What do you find helpful about working here?
- A.Since there are opportunities for regular meetings, I can consult about everything from my physical well-being to how I handle my tasks, thereby gradually expanding the scope of my work at my own pace. This has also enabled me to take on new challenging tasks.
- Q.What things have you kept in mind from the time you joined the Bank until now?
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A.With no experience in working at a financial institution, I was very nervous and anxious when I joined the Bank. However, with the support of those around me and by gradually taking on tasks, I have been able to settle into the workplace environment and the work itself over time.
I started by thoroughly managing my basic physical condition and approaching my tasks with the mindset of “just give it a try” rather than feeling any fear or hesitation. As it turned out, things went surprisingly well, and I could accumulate a series of small successes.
On the other hand, when facing a particularly challenging situation, I sought support from those around me, and then actively prepared while considering the best possible approach to the next step. I think that I am growing without even realizing it.
- Q.What do you consider to be the Bank’s strengths?
- A.With an understanding of specific matters to be considered, Aozora shares the actual difficulties facing us through regular one-on-one meetings. If we want to take the next career step, the Bank also encourages us to take on new challenges, such as participating in the Job Support Program. Thanks to this support system being in place, employees can play active roles in a variety of divisions.
- Q.Please leave us with a final message.
- A.“Pursue possibilities to unlock your own potential.” Even when something felt like a weak point, I moved forward little by little with the courage to try it out, driven by the belief that doing so might actually expand the range of what I could achieve. It is fine for each of us to move at our own pace and I believe that our way of thinking also gradually changes and grows as we move forward. I also believe that by moving forward step by step, leveraging our own unique strengths, receiving support to address our weaknesses, and making new discoveries, we can “create possibilities.”
Even as I move forward and sometimes take a step back, I am gradually increasing upon what I am able to do. I would be happy if my journey could serve as an encouragement to other employees who are striving in the same way.
- Q.What kind of work do you do?
- A.I am primarily responsible for tasks relating to corporate deposits. My duties include processing deposit and withdrawal transactions, opening and closing accounts, and managing online banking services, such as registrations, changes, and closure.
- Q.What do you find helpful about working here?
- A.For instance, my colleagues take off their masks and speak clearly when talking to me and also provide support whenever I run into difficulties, so I feel very comfortable at work. I joined Aozora as a new grad, and at first I was anxious because so many things were new to me. However, a senior colleague encouraged me, saying “We receive a lot of energy from your smile and proactive attitude toward work. The team will spare no effort to support you, and we look forward to your continued success.” These words have inspired me to work even harder.
- Q.Please leave us with a final message.
- A.Regardless of whether they have a disability, everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. Given an environment in which we can support one another, rather than striving for perfection on our own, we can take on new challenges with peace of mind. Supported by those around me, I feel that I am growing with each passing day. I hope this message brings some courage and hope to anyone who feels anxious about work.
Mr Ito has a very cheerful personality, is considerate of those around him, and enjoys working while having occasional conversations about various topics. He contributes to improvements in operational efficiency at the Fuchu Document Mailing Service by sharing his view in many areas, including proposals and insights gained from his fresh perspective, regarding the tasks we handle as a matter of routine. Looking ahead, his effort and attitude will help drive the Fuchu Document Mailing Service to unite as one team.