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Oyasiru: A Vision for Regret-Free Parent-Child Relationships

Oyasiru aims to create a society in which parent-child relationships continue without regrets. This dream is underscored by two main objectives: living life fully with no regrets until the end and ensuring that loved ones continue to exist in our memories. Through this vision, Oyasiru seeks to foster these ideals within society.

As part of its initiative, Oyasiru supports individuals in cultivating their desires and intentions, prompting them to reflect on questions like, "What does a life true to myself look like?" and "How do I wish to live from now on?" This process is referred to as ‘nurturing wishes.’ In addition to this, Oyasiru emphasizes the preservation of existence, which involves supporting individuals in recounting important episodes and emotions from their lives through the storage of audio and video recordings.

The Oyasiru Interview is a manifestation of this concept. Conducted primarily online, many individuals have experienced their first online conversations through this service. A third party listens to the life stories and future aspirations of parents, as well as topics related to healthcare and caregiving, and transforms these narratives into articles and videos. So far, approximately 60 interviews have been conducted.

Oyasiru Interviews enable the sharing of experiences, thoughts, and feelings that have often been kept within families. This process can lead to transformative moments, such as:

• - A significant change in the parent-child relationship following the sharing of specific stories.
• - Alleviating vague anxieties regarding caregiving and aging, allowing families to envision a shared future.
• - Discovering shared roots that connect parents and children, bringing joy to both parties.
• - Creating keepsakes in the form of videos or articles that can be shared with younger family members as cherished heirlooms.

As the company approaches its two-year mark, it has become evident that many people are in need of support in the process of forming and nurturing their thoughts and feelings. According to a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, although over 57% of respondents agree with the idea of a ‘life discussions’ (where individuals consider and discuss their desired medical care and support), only 1.5% report actively engaging in detailed conversations about it.

Despite a clear willingness to share their intentions, many people struggle to do so. Oyasiru aims to leverage this disconnect by reinforcing its approach to supporting the nurturing process of thoughts and feelings, working towards the realization of its overarching dream. The launch of new services is also planned, to be disclosed in due course.

Oyasiru differentiates itself from traditional solutions by positioning itself not merely as a provider of solutions, but as a facilitator for listening and being present alongside its clients. The delicate nature of these discussions often makes them difficult for families to tackle independently. Oyasiru believes that having a safe third-party listener can provide the social resource necessary for families to engage without fear of confrontation.

In pursuing its goals, Oyasiru is committed to building a business model where listening and being present is the focal point of its service offerings, rather than merely proposing solutions. The company will continue to strive to support the process of nurturing wishes and preserving existence as it works towards creating a society where regret-free parent-child relationships can thrive.

Oyasiru's Founder and CEO, Takeshi Isamu, elaborates on these objectives in his written reflections on the company's dreams and aspirations. After completing his education at Yokohama National University, he recognized the importance of building regret-free relationships, stemming from his own experiences as someone raised in a single-parent household.

With a history of accolades, including recognition from the ETIC-hosted NEC Social Entrepreneurship School and an Audience Award from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's ASAC Startup Acceleration Seed Program, Oyasiru is well positioned to pursue its impactful mission.

As Oyasiru continues its journey, it remains committed to tackling the challenging issues surrounding important conversations within families, allowing them to focus not solely on themselves but on their collective journey with the support of Oyasiru as a trusted listener. Through these efforts, Oyasiru will continue to work diligently towards its vision of a society where parent-child relationships thrive without regret.