Tokyo Gas: "A Second Act for a New Era: Retaining Wisdom, Fueling Growth”

“We established the ‘Grand Career System’ to support career development for employees in their 50s and over, through training sessions and interviews with career consultants.”

— Tokyo Gas Integrated Report 2021

Opportunity

As Japan's population aged faster than any in the world, Tokyo Gas faced a critical risk: losing decades of technical expertise through traditional retirement. They saw an opportunity to rethink later-life careers—not just as an HR issue, but as a strategic driver of resilience, continuity, and growth.

Action

Tokyo Gas launched the Grand Career program, inviting employees approaching traditional retirement to continue contributing in new, flexible roles. The initiative emphasised knowledge transfer, mentorship, and re-skilling for post-retirement assignments. Rather than a "one-size-fits-all" retirement model, they offered diverse pathways to extend purpose and impact well into later life.

Result

The program preserved vital organisational knowledge, strengthened workforce loyalty, and set a new benchmark for age-inclusive innovation. Tokyo Gas demonstrated that with the right structures, older workers could fuel ongoing competitiveness and sustainability—turning longevity from a liability into a lasting advantage.