Japan distribution center empowers workforce through culture improvements

Defense Logistics Agency Distribution Yokosuka, Japan, is a unique workforce that supports U.S. forces in the region, but is largely made up of local national employees.  To help improve communication and empowerment of these employees, the distribution center established a Command Culture Center of Excellence and Diversity Inclusion Committee, responsible for addressing the constant change and modification that improving culture requires.

“Culture is a dynamic ‘entity’ which is always evolving and changing, and for leaders, positive organizational culture is a worthy goal to achieve,” said Navy Cmdr. Brian Johnson, the distribution center’s commander.  Organizational culture and command climate is broad spectrum as values, beliefs, myths, traditions, and norms all play a part.  Once set, commonly shared interpretations, values, and patterns are difficult to modify. 

Tomo Ookubo serves as the cultural champion at the distribution center.  In this role, Ookubo coordinated four tours to local logistics companies to provide awareness and developmental opportunities to aid employee professional growth and to expose them to cutting-edge distribution technology.  One tour was to the Black Cat Logistics Terminal, whose network covers every corner of Japan and handles over 1.4 billion parcels a year, making it the largest individual parcel delivery service in Japan.

Additionally, Ookubo translates Culture Center of Excellence materials, including diversity and inclusion materials, into the native Kanji, so the local labor force can be kept apprised of current information.

As a result of the 2016 DLA Distribution diversity plan, the Cultural Center of Excellence team, along with Tom LaBelle, Equal Employment Opportunity specialist, is developing a Diversity and Inclusion team.  The team will address the goals and vision of the diversity plan by analyzing current workforce diversity rates.  The team will also plan and coordinate observances throughout the year, focusing on inclusion and the promotion of cross-cultural and cross-gender awareness for active duty military, government civilians, and the Japanese labor force.

The Diversity and Inclusion Team is divided into five committees, each focusing on a different diverse focus area. 

One committee, the Special Emphasis Program committee, kicked off their season with a special introduction to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in January.  The committee learned that Dr. King wrote a letter to the people of Japan, expressing his desire to visit.  In addition, Hiroshima, Japan, is one of the only cities outside of North America to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  In large part, this is a result of the efforts of the former Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba, who often used King’s words in his speeches to better articulate the argument for nuclear disarmament.