MIXI founder Kenji Kasahara transfers shares worth about 1.8 billion yen to 1,700 employees for free, saying he wants to share the success

MIXI founder and director Kenji Kasahara will give about 680,000 shares, worth roughly 1.8 billion yen, to around 1,700 employees and executives in September.

The shares will be transferred for free from Kasahara’s personal holdings, making it one of the largest direct stock gifts from a founder to employees in Japan.

The move is meant to help staff feel closer to the company’s growth and share in its results.

It is drawing attention as a rare example of large-scale employee rewards and incentive design in Japan.