*Subtitles: Choose “Subtitles/CC” in the “Settings” (gear icon) at the bottom right of the YouTube video.
*Subtitles may not show with multiple languages or overlapping audio.

Under the slogan “We Care More. Thoughtfulness that changes the world,” our company places great importance on caring for people, society, and the planet, and actively promotes sustainability initiatives.

As part of these efforts, we focus on supporting the individuality of diverse people. One initiative is the creation of the booklet “Gender Lessons for Teens,” which has received positive feedback, particularly in educational settings where gender equality education is increasingly needed.

Building on this, we launched a program that uses the booklet as the basis for a workshop designed to help participants reflect on their own sense of “being themselves.” Through hands-on activities, participants are encouraged to visualize and share what makes them unique, while also recognizing and respecting the individuality and values of others.

This experience aims to inspire participants to embrace their own identity with confidence, while contributing to a society that values diversity and mutual respect.

【Reflection】
In the program, participants created a “My Uniqueness Bouquet” card to express their individuality. Using stickers to represent things they love, values they cherish, efforts they are making, and dreams for the future, each participant designed flowers that visualized their personal uniqueness. By making these bouquets, participants had the opportunity to reflect on their own traits and revisit the values that matter most to them, deepening their self-understanding. Furthermore, by sharing and discussing their creations with others, they were encouraged to recognize and appreciate diverse perspectives, nurturing an attitude of respect for differences. Through repeated experiences of realizing the importance of making authentic choices, regardless of gender or social attributes, the program aimed to help each participant take a step toward a society where everyone can embrace and celebrate themselves as they truly are.

Throughout the program, we witnessed how naturally children value their individuality without being bound by gender or labels. Their ability to express themselves while recognizing and appreciating the uniqueness of others was both powerful and inspiring. For the adults present, it became a significant realization that children already possess this openness. At the same time, as introduced in the program, Japanese society still contains systems and social values that limit children’s possibilities and restrict their choices. This reminded us that adults must take responsibility in addressing these barriers, paying closer attention to the ways society and environments are structured. It is our role to ensure that children can grow up safely and confidently while remaining true to themselves. This program served as a vital opportunity to reaffirm the importance of respecting individuality and creating conditions that never hinder the potential of any person.

【Post EXPO Initiatives】
This program was designed to support a future that celebrates individuality, offering children—the next generation—a chance to express their true selves and experience mutual respect. Through the program, we recognized the importance of acknowledging diverse perspectives and values, while also learning the significance of making specialized concepts easy to understand and creating opportunities for participants to internalize these lessons through direct experience. Building on the insights and challenges gained, we aim to expand opportunities for more people to reflect on individuality and diversity in the future.

To realize a future where each person can believe in their own potential, as well as in the potential of others and of society, it is essential to create more spaces where individuals feel safe to express themselves. Guided by POLA’s slogan, “We Care More. Changing the world with compassion,” we will continue to provide experiences that allow people to practice care—both for themselves and for those around them—through the lens of beauty. By steadily nurturing such initiatives, we believe we can cultivate an environment where everyone’s individuality is respected, and openness to others becomes natural. With this conviction, we will continue moving forward to create a future in which more people can express themselves with confidence and peace of mind.

POLA will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2029. As we approach this milestone, we see it as a moment not only to reflect on our journey so far, but also to envision the next century and the new value we must create. With care at the heart of our philosophy, we remain committed to building a future where people and society can believe in each other’s potential, and we will continue to take concrete steps toward that vision.