The Work Style Reform, aimed at creating a more conducive working environment, has been implemented on a large scale since 2019. It seems that the term "work-life balance" has become well established.
On February 24, 2025, a lecture by lawyer Yukio Kikuchi, who is active in various media, will be held in Mabi.
The theme of the lecture is work-life balance. While lawyers are often associated with heavy workloads, it is said that lawyer Yukio Kikuchi manages to balance his private time effectively.
The lecture by lawyer Yukio Kikuchi will provide hints on how to work happily. We interviewed the person in charge about the content.
What is the "Lecture by Lawyer Yukio Kikuchi"?
The lecture by lawyer Yukio Kikuchi will be held on February 24, 2025 (Monday, holiday) at the "Mabi Interaction Center Bamboo Hall".
About Lawyer Yukio Kikuchi
Yukio Kikuchi, who will be speaking, is a lawyer who has also served as a regular on several television programs, including Nippon Television's "The Legal Consultation Office with Long Queues (now: The Consultation Office with Long Queues)".
Yukio Kikuchi has a variety of hobbies centered around sports. While managing his legal practice, he is also actively involved in challenging triathlons and serving as a volleyball coach for local elementary school students.
For more details about Yukio Kikuchi's profile, please check the image below.
The theme of Yukio Kikuchi's lecture is "Work-Life Balance: Dedicating Yourself to Both Work and Family".
To enjoy work vibrantly, it is also important to secure private time. By enriching one's private life, it is expected that motivation for work will increase and productivity will rise.
This will be an opportunity to gain hints from Yukio Kikuchi, who balances work and private life effectively, on how to achieve a good work-life balance.
Participation is free, but prior registration is required, so those wishing to attend should apply through the dedicated form. The application deadline is February 10 (Monday).
About the Takahashi River Basin Work Engagement Promotion Project
The lecture by lawyer Yukio Kikuchi is held as part of the Takahashi River Basin Work Engagement Promotion Project.
The Takahashi River Basin Work Engagement Promotion Project aims to promote the creation of workplaces that are easy to work in for people in the basin area. It is being implemented as part of the initiative for "Labor and Employment that Values People," triggered by the G7 Kurashiki Labor and Employment Ministers' Meeting Declaration held in April 2023.
In the 2024 fiscal year, lectures on customer harassment countermeasures and seminars on creating systems for employing foreign workers were also held.
Interview with the Person in Charge
We interviewed Kana Okamoto from the Kurashiki City Labor and Employment Policy Division about the lecture by lawyer Yukio Kikuchi.
I believe you have held lectures in the past, but why did you request lawyer Yukio Kikuchi to participate this time?
Okamoto (no honorifics)
This lecture is being held as part of the Takahashi River Basin Work Engagement Promotion Project. The term "work engagement" may sound difficult, but simply put, it refers to the efforts to promote the creation of a conducive working environment.
I believe that work-life balance is essential for creating a conducive working environment.
Lawyer Yukio Kikuchi is not only dedicated to his work as a lawyer but also actively engages in sports such as volleyball and triathlons. Therefore, we planned a lecture where he would share his secrets to achieving work-life balance.
In fact, he was scheduled to be a lecturer in 2020, but unfortunately, the event was canceled just before it was to be held due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people had already applied for that event, so this time we are excited to hold it.
What are the highlights of the lecture?
Okamoto
The main highlight is how lawyer Yukio Kikuchi maintains his work-life balance. We hope you will pay attention to how he manages to balance his busy legal work with his private life.
Additionally, in the lobby of the Mabi Interaction Center, panels showcasing the appeal of local companies will also be displayed.
The panels will relate to work-life balance and will introduce the working styles of employees at KANKO GAKUSEIFUKU CO., LTD. and Trifool Okayama. We will feature athlete employees involved in cycling and basketball players, as well as the employees who support them.
We hope this will provide an opportunity for people to learn that there are individuals working in such ways at local companies.
What kind of impact do you hope to have on the community through the lecture?
Okamoto
The main goal is to promote the creation of workplaces where people in the Takahashi River Basin can work with peace of mind, and to realize a society where each individual can continue to work with a sense of purpose.
If there are any pieces of advice that can be applied in the workplace during the lecture, we hope everyone can incorporate them into their lives. Work-life balance is a topic that is likely to resonate with many people, so we would be happy if anyone could find something they can apply to their own lives.
Who would you recommend this lecture to?
Okamoto
I believe that many people, regardless of age or gender, would benefit from this lecture as it will provide tips on how to balance work and private life and enrich their lives.
This content will also be useful for those working in companies, as well as for freelancers and those managing their own schedules with remote work.
Additionally, I would like to encourage housewives who are dedicated to household chores and childcare, as well as those who are passionately pursuing their hobbies, to attend.
Since the venue is in Mabi, I thought it would be nice to explore various places in addition to the lecture. Are there any recommended spots?
Okamoto
In Mabi, you can see the traces of the recovery from the July 2018 heavy rain disaster, so I hope you will take the time to explore the town before and after the lecture.
Recommended spots include the Mabi Interaction Park, which has disaster prevention functions, and the new confluence point of the Oda River, where construction has been completed. Near the Miyata Bridge over the Oda River, there is also the "Memorial Monument for the Imperial Visit of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress" commemorating the visit of Their Majesties (currently the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita).
There are also many restaurants, so I hope you enjoy your meal in Mabi.
Finally, please give a message to the readers.
Okamoto
In life, "working" is fundamental. To manage work effectively, balancing it with family and personal time is essential.
This lecture is a valuable opportunity to hear from lawyer Yukio Kikuchi, who is well-known on television, about work-life balance.
The panel exhibition will also serve as a platform to convey the diverse working styles and appeal of local companies. I particularly encourage students aiming for employment and those considering a career change to pay attention.
We look forward to your participation!
Conclusion
I have seen lawyer Yukio Kikuchi on television before. At that time, he felt like a distant figure, almost like a celebrity, so I never imagined I would have the opportunity to meet him in Kurashiki.
Work-life balance is a very relatable theme for working people. However, while there may be ideals, I believe many people find it difficult to balance work and private life effectively.
By learning the tips for work-life balance from lawyer Yukio Kikuchi's lecture and discovering various working styles through the exhibition panels, it may become even easier to work than it is now.
Work-life balance can also lead to a richer life. If you are interested, please make sure to attend the lecture.
Data for the Lecture by Lawyer Yukio Kikuchi
| Name | Lecture by Lawyer Yukio Kikuchi |
|---|---|
| Date | February 24, 2025 (Monday, Holiday) From 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM *Doors open at 1:30 PM |
| Location | 40-1 Ayata, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free of charge |
| Website | Kurashiki City Labor and Employment Policy Division |
