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Embedding a philosophy like kyosei could easily stay abstract – but not for Toshiyuki "Tiger" Ishii, President & CEO, Canon Singapore. In this interview, he talks about turning kyosei into everyday practices that strengthen connection, resilience, and purpose across the workforce.
Embedding kyosei into daily work is the kind of organisational shift many may describe as inspiring – and also challenging. For Toshiyuki "Tiger" Ishii (pictured above), President & CEO, Canon Singapore, it is both a cultural commitment and a leadership focus: how do you make a philosophy like kyosei tangible while supporting employee wellbeing, engagement, and a sense of purpose across the company?
His approach has been firmly people-first. From flexible work arrangements to wellness initiatives and professional development programmes, Ishii ensures that the principles of kyosei are reflected in how employees experience work every day.
Speaking to Priya Sunil in this interview, he shares how he and his team are turning kyosei into a practical framework for building a connected, resilient workforce.
Q Singapore’s talent market is highly competitive, and employees today expect much more from their workplaces. How do you see these shifts shaping Canon’s people strategy?
The evolving expectations of today’s workforce present Canon Singapore with an opportunity to rethink how we attract, retain and develop talent. Employees increasingly prioritise personal wellbeing and a sense of purpose, with work-life balance identified as Singapore’s top workforce priority for the third consecutive year.
These industry trends have led us to embed wellness, adaptability and purpose into our people strategy. At Canon Singapore, we design and curate initiatives that ensure that employees feel supported in their personal and professional growth, inspired by a shared sense of purpose that drives both engagement and organisational resilience.
One way is to ensure Canon Singapore employees have the flexibility to shape their work schedules, with flexible working arrangements such as flexi-place (work from home), flexi-time (staggered work timing) and flexi-load (part-time arrangements). This allows them to perform at their best during the hours that suit them most.
Another example is Canon Active Day, a signature event dedicated to holistic wellness; encouraging employees to step outside of their usual work routines to focus on their health and reconnect with colleagues in a relaxed, energising environment. Through physical and team bonding activities that promote physical fitness, mindfulness and teamwork, employees can recharge, strengthen cross-team collaborations while cultivating a sense of shared belonging.
Wellness can be integrated into an organisational culture in meaningful and tangible ways, going above and beyond individual health to foster connection, belonging, and most importantly, a positive workplace spirit.
Q How does Canon’s philosophy of kyosei guide your approach to workplace wellness in Singapore?
Our corporate philosophy of kyosei – which means 'living and working together for the common good' – is the guiding principle behind everything we do. It embodies our belief that people of diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives can thrive together in harmony, creating a workplace that is both inclusive and purposeful.
This philosophy informs our approach to workplace wellness.
We see wellness not merely as a collection of programmes or perks, but as a holistic framework that nurtures physical health, emotional resilience, cognitive wellbeing, and professional growth.
By placing kyosei at the heart of our organisational culture, we create an environment where employees feel supported to care for themselves, to support one another and to contribute positively to the wider community.
The philosophy is also brought to life through a variety of initiatives that are thoughtfully designed to nurture wellbeing, spark creativity and encourage continuous growth. Through our Staff Recreation Club, employees can take part in activities ranging from Hatha yoga and total body conditioning to baking workshops, movie nights, and even uniquely local experiences such as durian parties. These shared moments of joy and connection provide opportunities to recharge and foster a deep sense of camaraderie.
Complementing this, our partnerships with e2i and NTUC Learning Hub opens avenues for professional advancement across many areas, such as data analytics, critical thinking and even leadership management. Collectively, these opportunities embody the spirit of kyosei by empowering employees to flourish both personally and professionally, while contributing to a vibrant, supportive workplace culture.
Kyosei also resonates with Canon’s enduring corporate DNA and our guiding principles known as the ‘The San-Ji’ or the ‘Three Selfs’ – self-motivation, self-management and self-awareness. Together, they encourage employees to take initiative in their own wellbeing, act with responsibility and remain mindful of their role within the team. When these values are embraced collectively, they cultivate a workplace that is not only connected and compassionate but also socially responsible and resilient.
Embedding kyosei into our wellness philosophy allows Canon to harmonise individual and organisational wellbeing, fostering a thriving community where every employee can flourish while contributing to the common good.
Q Beyond office perks like beanbags and coffee bars, how is Canon embedding wellness into the organisation’s foundation?
Wellness at Canon goes far beyond surface-level perks – it is a fundamental part of how we design and operate our organisation. We view it as a holistic ecosystem that integrates physical health, emotional resilience, cognitive wellbeing and continuous professional growth into everyday work life.
With wellness at the heart of everything we do, we ensure that our people are energised, teamwork thrives and physical and emotional wellbeing is woven deeply into Canon’s organisational DNA.
Q What does it look like when wellbeing sits at the heart of organisational design – and how has this shifted employee engagement?
Placing wellbeing at the heart of organisational design transforms the workplace into a thriving ecosystem where employees feel supported, energised and empowered to contribute their best every day. At Canon, this principle shapes how we structure teams, design workflows and cultivate collaboration, creating an environment where individuals can grow both personally and professionally.
This focus on holistic wellness has significantly deepened engagement. Employees are more motivated, more connected to their colleagues, and more aligned with Canon’s purpose and values. It creates a culture of trust and belonging, where people feel their contributions are recognised, their growth is supported, and their wellbeing matters. Incorporating wellness at the core of organisational design strengthens resilience, creativity and collaboration, helping both our people and our organisation flourish.
Q How do you foster a culture where employees feel they truly belong and share a common
purpose?
Fostering belonging starts with recognising and valuing the unique strengths, perspectives and aspirations of every individual. We cultivate an environment where employees feel seen and supported; and are also empowered to contribute meaningfully to both their teams and to the broader organisation.
Our corporate philosophy of kyosei underpins this approach. The infusion of this philosophy into daily interactions, decision-making and organisational initiatives help encourage employees to align their personal growth with collective goals, creating a shared sense of purpose. We also prioritise open communication, collaboration and opportunities for employees to engage in socially responsible initiatives, which reinforce a culture of empathy, trust and connection.
When people feel they belong and that their work contributes to something greater, engagement deepens, innovation thrives, and the organisation becomes more resilient and unified.
Q Can you share an example of wellness directly strengthening resilience at Canon Singapore?
One example is our integrated approach to mental and emotional wellbeing. We provide employees with access to workshops, counselling and grievance-handling resources that help them manage stress and build resilience in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
By supporting both personal and professional resilience, these programmes empower our people to navigate challenges confidently, while reinforcing a culture of care, trust and mutual support; fully aligned with our philosophy of kyosei, or living and working together for the common good.
Q In your view, what is the leader’s role in making wellness a cultural value rather than an afterthought?
Leaders play a pivotal role in embedding wellness into the very fabric of an organisation. At Canon, we see leadership as both a responsibility and an opportunity to model the behaviours and values that make wellbeing a lived experience rather than a checkbox. This means actively prioritising employee wellness in decisions, creating space for open dialogue and championing initiatives that support physical, emotional and cognitive health.
Demonstrating care, empathy and accountability from the leadership board signal that wellbeing is a shared priority, not a peripheral concern.
When wellness is championed from the top, it permeates every level of the organisation, fostering a culture where employees feel valued and motivated to contribute their best, fully reflecting our philosophy of kyosei.
Q Here’s a fun one! If you could create a 'signature' wellness activity that blends kyosei with
innovation, what would it be?
I would create a programme called 'Kyosei Wellness Hackathons', a regular hands-on initiative where employees design and implement small projects that improve wellness in the workplace or the wider community. For example, teams could develop tech-enabled mindfulness corners, ergonomic workstation improvements or even community outreach programmes that combine fitness and social good.
The activity blends innovation with wellbeing: employees collaborate, exercise creativity and focus on tangible outcomes that benefit others, embodying our philosophy of kyosei – living and working together for the common good. Participants gain physical and mental wellness benefits, build stronger bonds across teams and experience the satisfaction of contributing meaningfully to colleagues, the organisation and the community.
It is a fun, engaging way to make wellness a shared, impactful experience rather than an individual task.
Photo / Provided
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