Matsuyama, Ehime Pref.

Matsuyama strives to create a society that provides supportive work environments for everyone.

　The city of Matsuyama, the capital of Ehime Prefecture and the largest city on the island of Shikoku, boasts a great variety of attractions. Among them are Dogo Onsen, which is said to be the oldest hot spring in Japan and whose main building is designated as one of the nation’s important cultural assets, and the 400-year-old Matsuyama Castle in the city’s center, which is one of the only 12 remaining original castles in Japan. The neighboring Setouchi Shimanami Kaido Expressway also provides a world renowned cycling course. This warm-temperature city facing the Seto Inland Sea is making full-scale efforts to create an environment that is not only pleasant to live in, but also to work in.

　Matsuyama is providing training and job-seeking support to women raising small children, single parents, and others, as well as creating opportunities for these workers to work from home. This is helping the development of diverse human resources, which contributes to resolving labor shortages among small and medium enterprises.

　Matsuyama Mayor Katsuhito Noshi explains, “From fiscal 2018, Matsuyama has been making full-scale efforts to be a leading city in realizing work style reform. It is pressing forward with raising work efficiency through the introduction of IT equipment, while promoting the creation of a wide range of work styles and schedules tailored to each citizen’s particular lifestyle. This makes a work environment in which it is easy to continue working long-term.” Mayor Noshi describes the city’s aspirations by saying, “Through this ministerial meeting, Matsuyama looks forward to starting a new page toward resolving labor and employment issues around the world.”