FOURDIGITMOM FoR STAR
Addressing Challenges and Building Business Solutions for Single Mothers in Local Communities
Context
One of the social issues in Okinawa is the employment problems faced by single mothers. Despite a high employment rate exceeding 90%, their income is 7 percent lower than the national average, leaving many in a state of working poverty. On the other hand, in terms of work, there is a significant demand for support in obtaining skills and qualifications. Many single mothers wish to improve their skills but are unable to do so due to financial difficulties. Since the employment environment for single parents greatly impacts their children’s lives, companies in Tokyo and Okinawa have partnered up to design a business scheme to change this situation. The goal is to create a system that provides immediate support for the present and foster growth and sustainability for the future. The scheme will actively involve single mothers and their children from the local community, aiming to find a solution that is acceptable to all parties involved.
Our Approach
We designed a project to provide single mothers in Okinawa with both digital design skills and job opportunities. Okinawan companies employ them while dispatching them to FOURDIGIT in Tokyo, where they acquire skills and perform tasks as part of the team. During the training period, they will receive hourly wages to ensure no gaps in their household income while support will be coordinated with support groups to provide living assistance. The scheme also involves exploring collaboration with local municipalities to address and resolve the underlying social issues.
Awards
0
single mother participants
0
children
In my previous job, I couldn't have meals with my children.
Project participant 2nd batch
Process
01
Concept Design
02
Building Partnerships
03
Operation
04
Refinement
Concept Design
Given the various support services already available in Okinawa and FOURDIGIT's internal track record of talent growth, the key was to determine whether it was realistically possible to sustainably execute the project as a business operation. Often, support services that claim to contribute to society only provide initial education without involving participants in actual work, leading to a disconnect from practical application. We identified the intersection of business challenges and solutions, ensuring that local employment and job placement were feasible and that a skill development program can be effectively established. We addressed gaps that the Tokyo-based staff could not cover, creating a concept where practical and operational feasibility align.
Although the number of participants may seem small, there are over 30 children benefiting from that. The design has a positive impact on the future of these children.
Comment from a judge at the Award
Building Partnerships
Three organizations, including Tokyo-based FOURDIGIT along with Okinawan companies and support organisations, embarked on a collaborative project. Typically, such initiatives struggle to advance due to unresolved discussions on role assignments, cost burdens and human resource allocations. FOURDIGIT, prioritising progress over prolonged debate, reached a consensus with all parties to move forward and within 6 months from the conceptualisation, the programme began accepting participants. Subsequently, discussions focused on adjustments and necessary negotiations, and improvement efforts were also accelerated by clearly defining leadership from the outset. By taking the lead from outside Okinawa, the overall consensus-building process was ultimately effective.
0
months
from concept to project launch
It’s a hope for local communities when companies from the metropolitan area tackle regional issues through their core business.
Partner company Lexus Inc.: Hiyane
Operation
The support programme for single mothers has officially launched, with participants following a curriculum while gradually graining practical experience. However, once the programme began, it became clear that operational challenges arose due to factors such as children’s illnesses, individual progress differences, and varying living conditions. Consequently, we established a cycle to continuously refine and optimise the support structure, curriculum content, and daily management methods. The high motivation and enthusiasm of the participants served as an inspiration for the team members in Tokyo, resulting in positive changes for the children and broaden outcomes beyond the participating members.
We realized that the state of emergency declaration led to school closures, and in cases where there are many siblings, it's often unavoidable to take time off.
Project Member: Hanaue (FOURDIGIT Executive Officer)
At my previous workplace, it was hard to reveal that I was a single mother.
Project participant 2nd batch
Until then, my children would say "Oh, you're working again", but now they're supportive.
Project participant 3rd batch
Since everyone shares the same feeling, it motivated me to do my best.
Project participant 1st batch
Refinement
The issue faced by single mothers cannot be resolved simply by improving employment conditions, but also involves addressing financial struggles, truancy, delinquency, and even domestic violence and neglect spanning across generations, which are often interlinked. To tackle the root cause of these social issues, we organized a 2-day workshop bringing together participants from MoM for STAR, FOURDIGIT members, and support groups.
Through research, persona design, As-Is journey mapping, opportunity area setting, and ideation, we uncovered issues related to the male, lack of information for younger generations and the failure of current support activities to reach single mothers effectively. FOURDIGIT is expanding its activities beyond this project to support the establishment of cooperative frameworks among organizations and to engage with government bodies, including national, prefectural, and local authorities.
Through research, persona design, As-Is journey mapping, opportunity area setting, and ideation, we uncovered issues related to the male, lack of information for younger generations and the failure of current support activities to reach single mothers effectively. FOURDIGIT is expanding its activities beyond this project to support the establishment of cooperative frameworks among organizations and to engage with government bodies, including national, prefectural, and local authorities.
I feel at ease knowing that I can look after my children, and they can greet me "Welcome home"
Project participant 2nd batch
My 6-year-old said, "When I grow up, I want to work at Mom's workplace!"
Project participant 2nd batch
At my previous workplace, it was hard to reveal that I was a single mother.
Project participant 2nd batch
Client
FOURDIGIT
Credit
- Producer
- Ryo TAGUCHI, Katsuki HANAUE
- Consultant
- Ryo TAGUCHI, Takehiro SUENARI
- Operation Manager
- Katsuki HANAUE
- Operation ・Instructor
- Yuhei TOKUNAGA, Takuya ABE, Hiroki SHIBASAWA, Yoshimichi TAKAYAMA, Yuka KONDO
- UX Designer
- Makoto KISHINO, Michiyo YAMANE
Partner
- Web teaser / logo
- SHIFTBRAIN
- Co-operation
- Lexues Inc., Umusun Lab. Inc., Single Mothers Forum Okinawa
