Page 174 - Social Enterprise A New Business Paradigm for Thailand

2016, HH was operating in Fukuoka, Osaka, and Tokyo and had become financially self-sustaining,
reporting $2.4 million in revenue. At that time, it employed 26 staff members, 9 of whom were

formerly incarcerated.

As the business stabilized, some employees left to establish similar enterprises in other Japanese
cities. HH’s success stands as a powerful testament to the potential of social businesses to
dismantle employment barriers for marginalized populations and prove that redemption and
reintegration are achievable through meaningful work (Preedee Boonsue, 2018).

5.3.5 Litalico Inc (Japan)
Litalico Inc was founded in 2005 by Atsumi Hasegawa with a vision to build a society free of
barriers for people with disabilities. The enterprise emerged in response to Japan’s evolving legal

framework, which increasingly recognized the rights of persons with disabilities through anti-
discrimination legislation and its commitment to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities (CRPD). In Japan, people with disabilities continue to face significant obstacles to
employment. Litalico addresses this gap by offering personalized vocational training and
employment placement services, helping participants build both practical skills and the
confidence needed to thrive in the workforce (LITALICO, n.d.) 122 .

Litalico operates a variety of programs designed to meet different needs, including:

1. LITALICO Works – Employment support services for individuals with disabilities, offering
tailored career training and job-matching assistance.
2. LITALICO Junior – A tutoring program for children with disabilities or developmental
challenges, focusing on social skill development and individualized educational support.
3. LITALICO Wonder – A hands-on creative learning initiative that fosters innovation through
activities in IT and digital making.
4. LITALICO Developmental Navi – An online portal and community resource offering guidance
and information for families of children with developmental disabilities.
5. LITALICO Work Navi – A job information platform that connects individuals with disabilities to

employment opportunities, resources, and support networks (Press Release Japan, 2017).
Despite Litalico’s strong contributions to disability employment and its role as a model social
enterprise, it faces ongoing challenges in gaining public recognition and understanding of its
mission. Social enterprises like Litalico remain relatively misunderstood in Japan due to the
absence of legal frameworks that clearly define and support such entities. As a result, the public
often confuses them with charitable foundations or nonprofit organizations. Nevertheless,
Litalico continues to receive financial support through Japan’s Services and Supports for Persons

122 From Vision, by LITALICO, n.d., retrieved on February 14, 2025, (https://litalico.co.jp/en/company)
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