ODK Solutions <3839> announced on the 28th that it has acquired all the shares of NINJAPAN (headquartered in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), which operates the career building service 'Abuild Job Hunting', and will make it its wholly-owned subsidiary.

The company has listed the following reasons for the acquisition of shares. As part of its growth strategy, the company group aims to create businesses that leverage its strength in connecting with the younger generation, with a focus on the university entrance portal site 'UCARO', which is used by more than half of the applicants. In addition, in its medium-term management plan (March 2025 to March 2027), the company has announced a capital allocation policy that sets aside a 3 billion yen investment framework over a period of three years, and is actively promoting the creation of new services and growth strategies. By making NINJAPAN a subsidiary, it aims to gain opportunities to accompany not only students from exam takers to university students, but also working professionals, and to further expand its business opportunities. Already, through its consolidated subsidiary Potos (headquartered in Osaka), the company provides the recruitment public relations support service 'CareerPort', which works with Generation Z, supporting the career formation of university students and assisting companies in their recruitment branding and early formation of talent pools. On the other hand, NINJAPAN has gained a high share in the job hunting cram schools for upper-level students through 'Abuild Job Hunting', and shares a common vision with Potos such as providing opportunities for young people and maximizing their individual potential. In May 2024, the two companies entered into a business partnership agreement and are promoting the provision of "recruitment branding media services". Through the acquisition of shares, they aim to accelerate the integration of know-how and technology, record and analyze the experiences and achievements of exam takers and working professionals in digital badges that are unique and irreplaceable guaranteed by blockchain technology, and provide tailored career support services for each individual.

* Digital assets that are guaranteed to be unique and irreplaceable by blockchain technology. Currently, they are gaining attention as proof of experience, as digital assets connected to an individual's identity and as tamper-resistant rights information.