Dentsu Inc.'s New Work: Designing the Workplace (Part 2)

Exercise refreshes you. While there's no clear scientific basis for this, few would argue against it. Performing light exercise during break time through "OfficePo" not only refreshes your mood but also improves work efficiency and even invigorates internal communication. This time, Dentsu Inc.'s Makoto Okumura, the originator of "Officepo," and Keisuke Saito of BUTAI PROJECT, who shares his vision and collaborates on promoting it, discussed "Officepo" once again.
[ Part 1 is here ]

Meeting rooms become places to meet top athletes

――I understand "Officepo" also has an aspect of "supporting athletes excelling in minor sports through these activities."

Okumura: Japan has many athletes excelling in minor sports on the world stage. Take Misuzu Okamoto, for example, who holds the world's third-best record in free diving. Unfortunately, few people know about her. Or Tsuyoshi Seo, the world champion in the sport of stacking. They are, in a sense, undiscovered superstars. As we deepened our connections with them, we realized the presence of minor sports is indispensable to Officepo.

Saito: That's right. When we held a Kikusaisei event, we invited a female Muay Thai fighter. Participants then asked things like, "When's your next match? I want to go see it!" Using Office Po as a platform to introduce people to minor sports is a fantastic opportunity.

Okumura: Once you've experienced coaching, you naturally want to support them. I hope that circle of support keeps growing.

Saito: I have a friend who's a Paralympic silver medalist in ice sledge hockey. His wheelchair technique and arm strength are astonishing. But what's even more impressive is his extraordinary drive (laughs). When I attended a blind soccer trial session before, players who were supposed to be blind were giving instructions like, "The person over there, come this way." They were recognizing people's positions and facilitating using senses other than sight. I thought, "Wow, that's incredible spatial awareness!" And the moment you witness that, you just think, "Amazing! So cool!" The way the other participants look at them completely changes.

Okumura: That's absolutely true. For companies too, deepening understanding of people with disabilities is crucial, and there must be a demand for such opportunities.

Saito: Many people might feel a bit distant from them. In my case, it started with an experience, then we became friends, and now we go out for drinks together like normal—that closeness makes me feel it even more.

Okumura: That could be the case. Providing more casual spaces to interact with them is also an important mission for Office Po.

Designing Health

――Could we consider OfficePo a form of "preventive medicine"?

Okumura: Yes. As a field, I believe it falls within the scope of preventive medicine. We amateurs have stepped into this field, which previously only had experts. I see significance in that.

Saito: That's true.

Okumura: By coining the term "Officepo," many people like Saito-san have shown interest and concern. Japanese society faces the problem of stress, yet the systems to address it remain underdeveloped. I'm not alone in feeling uneasy about this gap between existing needs and unmet solutions. This experience has reaffirmed that.

――Do you think entering the preventive medicine field from a different industry might change the situation?

Okumura: The culture of Japanese companies didn't develop overnight, so I don't think significant change will happen easily. Companies have many things to protect, including their employees. They must grow their business and face their shareholders. Implementing Officepo also requires evaluating cost-effectiveness.

Saito: Taking a break to exercise in a conference room for a change of pace. It's actually quite simple, isn't it?

Okumura: In that sense, it would be great if we could start by changing mindsets. As more companies resonate with Office-po, "many companies will start considering how to approach break time." If that happens, something might change.

Saito: It would be great if a shared understanding emerged that how break time is spent affects productivity.

Okumura: Precisely because we're from a different industry, we can make unconventional proposals. We can approach companies saying, "It's fun and feels good," rather than relying on scientific data. Whether Officepo succeeds remains to be seen, but innovation never happens without action. I believe the significance lies in continuing our activities.

Saito: Yes. I also strongly hope Office-Po can serve as some kind of catalyst.

Okumura: The reality is that many people, myself included, live by the "life = work" philosophy. So, while work is important, I also hope people can develop a fondness for their office. To spend their time there with a smile. If that happens, everyday life becomes much more enjoyable. Officepo is easy to join, and everyone has a really fun time together. I think if people experience it just once, they'll realize how easy it is to create smiles in the workplace too.

Saito: Ultimately, I think it's about being "unhealthy yet rich" as a person. It's not that you can't be rich if you're not healthy. Everyone has unhealthy aspects, whether physical or mental. But by taking action based on your own will and accumulating things you find fulfilling, people can become rich. Officepo provides that opportunity. It makes you physically aware of "reflecting on yourself through break time." I feel that's one of its charms.

Okumura: That's right. Officepo isn't about eliminating stress; it's closer to the idea of "playing." However, the work content varies by department. Some sales staff are constantly negotiating with clients, while others in HR or General Affairs support them internally. Yet, when it comes to HR programs, salespeople often perceive them as stiff. The truth is, HR folks also want to do fun things. In fact, we get many such requests. Office-po is content that everyone enjoys—both the employees who participate and the HR planners who organize it, because they get to join in too.

Saito: That's absolutely right. The planning side needs to get healthier too.

Okumura: But since I'm part of Dentsu Inc., I feel we need to invent something beyond this. I'm currently discussing this with people from various companies. It could be office environment goods or some new tool. I'm really looking forward to meeting many more people who can brainstorm these ideas with us.

Saito: I hope this conversation helps gain more supporters.

Okumura: Exactly. Ideas held alone only grow within yourself. That's why it's crucial for Officepo to reach diverse people, fostering an atmosphere where everyone starts thinking about "how break times should be." When you share information, people notice. That brings responsibility, and I intend to shoulder that responsibility while continuing to dedicate myself to spreading Officepo.

[ Part 1 here ]