June 9, 2025 Solicitation Begins for Telework Top Runner 2025 Entries

　The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) collects and awards leading examples in order to promote the spread of telework, i.e., a flexible work style that effectively uses time and place by utilizing ICT.
　The MIC now announces that it will accept applications for the Telework Top Runner 2025.

1. About Telework Top Runner 2025

　In order to promote the spread of telework, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has been selecting and publicizing companies and organizations that are promoting the introduction and utilization of telework and have demonstrated sufficient achievements and excellent initiatives.
　After its rapid spread due to the impact of COVID-19 infections, telework has gone from being merely a temporary crisis management measure to becoming an important factor in changing the future work style of the entire society.
　However, the trend of overconcentration in the Tokyo area is also seen in the adoption rate of teleworking, and there are still disparities in information and workability between urban and rural areas, so it is important to create an environment in which people can make effective use of time and space in rural areas.
　In light of the current situation, the Telework Top Runner 2025 program is designed to create opportunities to publicize unique and outstanding initiatives, such as business reforms through remote/automated operations, etc., in business categories where telework is considered unfit (such as agriculture, forestry, fishing in primary industry; manufacturing, construction, etc., in secondary industry; medical and welfare in tertiary industry). It is also designed to revitalize local economies through telework for people living in rural areas and through the employment of people who work remotely or have second/dual jobs. Excellent cases will be solicited, and awards, etc., will be presented in order to provide an opportunity to publicize the value of telework and to help more companies/organizations proactively introduce and utilize telework. (See Attachment )
　In addition, the Telework Top Runner 2025 - Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Awards program aims to broaden the reach of telework adoption across the entire government. The awards ceremony will be held jointly with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) for the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Awards for Telework Promotion Companies ("Shining Telework Awards") and the Office for Promotion of Regional Revitalization under the Cabinet Office for the Local Revitalization Telework Awards (Minister of Local Revitalization Awards) to disseminate the initiatives of award-winning companies and organizations widely.

2. Eligible applicants

　Companies and organizations that have teleworking requirements in their work regulations, etc. This includes private companies such as joint-stock, general partnership, limited partnership, and limited liability companies; specified nonprofit corporations; and local government organizations including prefectural/municipal governments, and similar organizations.

3. How to apply

　Please access the application form from the link on the "Promoting Telework" page of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications website, fill out the required information, and submit your application.
　URL: https://www.soumu.go.jp/main_sosiki/joho_tsusin/telework

4. Application period

From Monday, June 9, and no later than Thursday, July 31, 2025