Can 'Anpanman-like Values' Be Applied to Adult Business?

Hello everyone. This is Inocchi.

Thank you for stopping by as always.
I look forward to your company today as well.

Before we begin, for those asking, 'Who are you?'

Inocchi is someone who works at a childcare and education ICT company and wants to improve the environment surrounding children. I am also interested in running children's cafeterias.
This note is a space for exploring and exchanging knowledge with people in Japan and around the world who are thinking about children.

This time, I will think about 'Can "Anpanman-like values" be applied to adult business?'

The reason is that 'there is a hint for future business in the way of being that involves "helping someone even if it means tearing off a piece of your own face"'.

1. Anpanman's principle of action is "altruism" and "purpose-driven"

• Anpanman's greatest characteristic = "helping others even if you get hurt yourself" -> altruistic behavior.

• Moreover, he does not choose who he helps. He reaches out to every character equally.

• Takashi Yanase clearly stated that 'true justice is giving food to a hungry person.'

• This is a "purpose-driven" existence = acting from Why (to put it in Simon Sinek's terms, "Start with Why").

2. Current business is also shifting toward "empathy capitalism"

• In recent years, businesses centered on "solving social issues" and "empathy/co-creation" rather than "profit first" have been gaining recognition.

• Examples: Unilever's "Sustainable Living Brands," Patagonia's "Earth is our only shareholder."

• In Japan, too, attention is gathering on "purpose-driven management" and "social business."

• Isn't this trend actually incredibly "Anpanman-like"?

3. Practical examples and possibilities of Anpanman-like business thinking

• 1. The attitude of 'offering' your own strength = face (= value) → 'Content strategy that generously provides value,' 'a model that gains trust for free,' etc.

• 2. Helping the 'person in trouble' right in front of you → 'Local businesses that carefully pick up niche markets,' 'one-on-one problem-solving services'

• 3. Not even excluding enemies → 'The idea of "co-business" rather than competition,' 'strategies that expand the market rather than stealing it'

• It is a hopeful sign that even in childcare businesses and educational services for children, more entrepreneurs are thinking based on 'who they want to help' rather than 'whether it will be profitable.'

In conclusion

The reason Anpanman has been loved by children for decades is not because he is 'strong,' but because'he is kind and his purpose does not waver.'
This attitude applies to adult business as well, and perhaps it is an essential value for the coming era.