New, Open Ways of Working

The Philosophy Behind O3 (O-Cube)

Olympus aims to foster a healthy organizational culture in order to realize our purpose of “making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling as our purpose.”
We have therefore defined our aim for Healthy Organization as “Committed to delivering Olympus’ Purpose by creating a working culture where everyone is empowered to perform their best.” As a mission critical project to achieve this in the Japan region, we are currently promoting the O3 project centering on collaboration from a purpose-driven perspective and on work-life balance from a people-centric perspective.

The name of the O3 project reflects our desire to create and enhance our future through the accumulation of a diverse range of O's.

The Aim of O3

The O3 project aims to accelerate collaboration by breaking down barriers between organizations, to further improve engagement and productivity, and to deliver innovative value to our stakeholders, all through new, open ways of working.

Olympus’s Vision for Work Open! Open your hearts to each other, open your eyes to the future, and explore new possibilities for Olympus

  • Adopt new, open ways of working to break down barriers between departments in an effort to accelerate collaboration
  • Further enhance engagement and productivity in aims of delivering innovative value to stakeholders

The following three basic concepts form the core of these new, open ways of working.
First, we will promote hybrid ways of working that combine the close-knit communication of in-person interactions with remote work. To this end, we will create optimal office environments that encourage in-person communication and that exemplify activities based on our core values, including fortuitous co-creation. And we will revise those rules and regulations from a time when working from the office was a given, yet that are no longer compatible with new ways of working. By implementing these three concepts in a unified manner, we are promoting reforms to our organizational culture.

Basic Concept for New Working Styles Promote New Ways of Working, Create Optimal Office Environments -Change our workplaces-, Develop New Systems

Promote New Ways of Working

We will encourage working styles that combine working from the office and home to promote hybrid ways of working that merge the benefits of both in-person and online communication

Create Optimal Office Environments

We will adopt optimized office equipment and reorganized office layouts for each function and occupation according to the purpose of working from the office (reviews using actual equipment, communication, etc.)

Develop New Systems

Human Resources (work regulations and rules, etc.) will cooperate with related departments

Specific Initiatives

Promote New Ways of Working

We are promoting hybrid ways of working that combine working from the office and working remotely. Centered on ABW (Activity Based Working), our employees will independently determine and select the best place to work based on the nature of their duties. And we will maximize organizational and individual productivity in aims of achieving work-life-balance and of enhancing engagement.
In addition, we require each organization to conduct workshops intended to instill ABW, and provide opportunities for team members to discuss working styles, including the benefits and outcomes of in-person communication, and for each team to reach an agreement.

ABW(Activity Based Working)

  • Evolve towards an attitude of independent decision making regarding the best place to work
Hachioji Facility Working from home Shared offices Satellite offices
  • Development work (experiments, etc.)
  • Communication across organizations (cross functional projects, etc.)
  • In-person, large group meetings
  • In-person meetings
  • Group work
  • Solo work
  • Visitor reception
  • In-person events, etc.
  • Solo work
  • Online meetings
  • Solo work
  • Online meetings
  • In-person meetings
  • Group work
  • Solo work
  • Visitor reception

Create Optimal Office Environments

Until now, the headquarters and business functions were handled separately by the Shinjuku and Hachioji Facilities, respectively, which contributed to a siloed culture. In April 2024, however, we consolidated the functions of the Hachioji Offices as our global headquarters. This move served to establish a foundation for our goal of becoming a global MedTech company with integrated headquarters and business functions.
Located in Ishikawa, Hachioji, the new global headquarters will emerge as a worksite befitting a global company originating from Japan where employees can work with pride, and as a worksite that symbolizes the O3 project.

Along with consolidating these functions, the global headquarters is equipped with optimized office equipment and reorganized office layouts for each function and occupation according to the purpose of working from the office (reviews using actual equipment, communication, etc.). This headquarters also facilitates communication among employees by providing an open development environment, and has undergone upgrades to induce serendipity. We believe this new campus will break down barriers, enhance individual and organizational productivity and creativity, and emerge as an arena that drives groundbreaking innovation. And we are continuing our efforts to reorganize the office in a systematic manner.

Inside the office 1

Inside the office 2

Inside the office 3

Inside the office 4

Develop New Systems

We are working to enhance our human resource systems and work regulations to ensure fair recognition and rewards for individuals who demonstrate expertise, deliver strong results, and show initiative—regardless of their background, experience, or personal circumstances.
As part of this effort, we have introduced a job-based HR framework across all levels of the organization and unified our evaluation systems and standards globally. These changes are designed to create an environment where Olympus employees around the world can thrive and access meaningful opportunities for growth.
To support diverse working styles, we will continue to promote flexibility, with hybrid work remaining our foundational approach. We are also expanding options such as mobile work from locations beyond the office or home, and remote work from more distant areas. These enhancements are intended to support employees in balancing their professional responsibilities with caregiving and other personal needs.