The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced the commencement of application acceptance for "Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations 2026" and "Health and Productivity Management Top 500" starting August 18, 2025.
Overview of Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Recognition System
The Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations recognition system is a framework for socially evaluating companies that strategically implement initiatives for health maintenance and promotion from a management perspective, promoting "health and productivity management" which considers employee health management from a business standpoint. Recognition has been conducted since fiscal 2016 in two categories: "Large Enterprise Category" and "Small and Medium Enterprise Category" by organization size, with recognition administered by the Japan Health Conference. Starting in 2025, system operations are managed by Nikkei Inc. as the secretariat, working to further promote health and productivity management through active public relations activities.
Recognition Requirements for Large Enterprise Category
Requirements are determined based on responses to the Reiwa 7 Health and Productivity Management Survey. Organizations ranking in the top 500 in the Large Enterprise Category are recognized as "White 500." The Health and Productivity Management Survey is conducted annually since fiscal 2014 to analyze the status and year-over-year changes in corporate health and productivity management initiatives, and to obtain basic information for selecting "Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations" and recognizing "Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations (Large Enterprise Category)." Last year, 3,869 organizations responded, with over 80% of companies comprising the Nikkei Stock Average 225 participating, demonstrating that many leading companies across industries are engaging in health and productivity management as a business strategy.
Recognition Requirements for Small and Medium Enterprise Category
Requirements are determined based on the content of the Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations 2026 (Small and Medium Enterprise Category) recognition application. Organizations ranking 1-500 in the Small and Medium Enterprise Category are recognized as "Bright 500," while those ranking 501-1500 are recognized as "Next Bright 1000." To further expand participation among small and medium enterprises and encourage enhanced health and productivity management initiatives among already participating organizations, disclosure of feedback sheets on the website is required for Bright 500 applicants and serves as a recognition requirement for both Bright 500 and Next Bright 1000.
Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations Selection
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Tokyo Stock Exchange jointly select listed companies with particularly excellent health and productivity management practices as "Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations," introducing them as attractive companies for investors. Evaluation is conducted based on responses to the Reiwa 7 Health and Productivity Management Survey.
Future Schedule
The Reiwa 7 Health and Productivity Management Survey response period runs from August 18, 2025 (Monday) to October 10, 2025 (Friday) at 5:00 PM, while the Health and Productivity Management Outstanding Organizations 2026 (Small and Medium Enterprise Category) recognition application period runs from August 18, 2025 (Monday) to October 17, 2025 (Friday) at 5:00 PM. Selection and recognition are scheduled for around March 2026.
The article demonstrates that health and productivity management initiatives have become established as corporate business strategies, particularly widespread among listed companies, while indicating policy direction toward qualitative improvement of health and productivity management through enhanced evaluation systems.