Advancing Human Capital Management in Thailand: JETRO and SJC Bring Together Leaders from Government, Academia, and Industry

On August 28, 2026, the JETRO Bangkok Office and the Sasin Management Consulting Japan Center (SJC) jointly held the 8th JETRO–SJC Seminar, “Human Capital Management in Thailand: Emerging Trends and Strategic Outlook,” at Sasin School of Management. The seminar explored how companies can view people as a critical resource for sustainable growth by connecting human capital management, health and productivity management, and employee well-being with corporate value creation and long-term competitiveness. The discussions drew on perspectives and practices from both Japan and Thailand. The seminar opened with remarks by Ms. Junko Kawasuso, Assistant Director, Healthcare Industries Division, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan. The keynote address, “Human Capital Management and Corporate Value Creation: Returning to the Fundamentals of Management,” was delivered by Professor Dr. Takamasa Fujioka of Meiji University and the Sasin Management Consulting Japan Center. Professor Fujioka emphasized that human capital management should not be regarded merely as an HR initiative or a matter of corporate disclosure. Rather, investment in people should be placed at the heart of management and linked directly to sustainable corporate value creation. Ms. Makiko Yamazaki, Vice President of the JETRO Bangkok Office, then presented “Human Capital Management and Health and Productivity Management in Japan,” introducing recent policy developments and corporate initiatives in Japan. The seminar also featured Mr. Kenichiro Asano, Representative Director of the Institute for Social Health Strategy, who discussed the evolution of Japan’s approach to health and productivity management and the growing importance of integrating employee health and well-being into corporate management and broader social systems. Practical corporate perspectives were presented by Mr. Hiroyuki Inaba, General Manager, Business Promotion Department, Global Oral Healthcare Business Development Center, Lion Corporation, and Mr. Daiki Matsunaga, Deputy Managing Director, LION Corporation (Thailand) Limited. They introduced Lion’s approach to health and productivity management, along with practical initiatives being implemented in Japan and Thailand to promote employee health and well-being. In Japan, METI has promoted Health and Productivity Management (Kenko Keiei) as a strategic management approach in which companies consider employee health from a managerial perspective and systematically invest in maintaining and improving employee health. Through initiatives such as the Certified Health & Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition Program and the Health & Productivity Stock Selection, efforts to link investment in people with productivity, sustainable growth, and corporate value have become increasingly widespread. Japan is now seeking to share the knowledge and experience accumulated through these initiatives internationally. In Thailand, efforts are also underway to promote frameworks for recognizing and encouraging companies that actively invest in employee health and well-being, drawing on Japan’s experience and relevant international standards. These initiatives represent an important step toward adapting the concept of health and productivity management to the Thai business and social context. Approximately 50 senior executives and representatives from Japanese and international companies, government-related organizations, and other institutions attended the seminar. Participants included representatives from JR, Hitachi, AOTS, Isuzu, Shinki Bus, YN2Tech, Kanematsu, PERSOL, ASIA SEED, The Hokuriku Bank, JBIC, and Hutzper. The presentations were followed by an active exchange of views on the future of human capital management, employee health, and well-being in Thailand, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration and knowledge-sharing between Japan and Thailand.