To address the widening social disparities and ongoing environmental degradation caused by excessive capitalism, the nonprofit corporation eumo has promoted the concept of an “Empathy Capital Society” since 2018. In this vision, society cherishes and nurtures empathy as a non-monetary, invisible value and places it at the core of all activity.

In contrast to traditional capitalism, where shareholder value and financial returns dominate, an Empathy Capital Society encourages corporations to engage in co-creation to solve social issues. Shareholders in this model invest not for dividends or capital gains, but out of empathy. Employees choose where to work based on how inspired they feel, cultivate their unique talents, and contribute to society in diverse ways—holding multiple jobs, farming, or engaging in community-based work without being bound by location. Consumers may also farm themselves and begin to shift away from the idea that “cheaper is better,” opting instead to buy from producers they resonate with. Prices are not fixed, but determined within the bounds of each person’s relationship and ability to pay. The crucial point is that people can choose their future course based on their own will.

An Empathy Capital Society does not negate the role of money—there are many things that can be achieved with currency. However, not every aspiration or ideal yields financial profit. For these endeavors, we must have the option to use empathy as a resource. The empathy community currency eumo, designed to circulate money based on empathy, is currently used in about 30 communities across Japan. In this system, people pay more to support good causes and a culture of “pay it forward” is encouraged by assigning expiration dates to the currency—so that those who don’t need it now can pass it on to those who do. This fosters a shift from an economy of competition to one of sharing.

Additionally, the eumo Academy, a place of learning for aspiring participants in the Empathy Capital Society, has empowered over 300 students and professionals to co-create new values for a new era. Many graduates are actively working to revitalize local communities across Japan. As a network for mutual aid, the Tanimachi Social Association was launched in Osaka’s Tanimachi district. This platform brings together diverse individuals who support one another through shared social initiatives. Young students are especially drawn to the universal restaurant and café that serve as hubs for these activities, as places where they can meet inspiring adults.

eumo Day: A gathering for those striving to realise an open empathy-based society in 2024

To fully realize an Empathy Capital Society, we must also rethink our business language. Words such as “competition” or “strategy”—terms reminiscent of warfare—should be eliminated. Language influences how we envision reality and what we ultimately create. As long as such warlike words remain, people will see competition as natural and co-creation as unnatural. Instead, business language must shift from words of conflict to words that reflect a journey of introspection and dialogue.

The Inochi Forum, in collaboration with diverse companies and organizations, will strive toward an Empathy Capital Society—one in which every person can live more abundantly and every Inochi unleashes its radiant light.

[References]

・Empathy Community Currency eumo
https://currency.eumo.co.jp

・Learning from practitioners of the Empathy Capital Society:eumo Academy
https://eumoacademy.com/

・Mutual aid network: Tanimachi Social Association
https://www.tanimachi-social.com

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