Understanding Yourself: A Special Lecture at Senshu University by Jikori-kai

The Importance of Self-Understanding Before Job Hunting

On May 30, 2025, Jikori-kai, a company based in Shibuya, Tokyo, specializing in self-understanding programs, held a special lecture at Senshu University’s Kanda campus. More than 200 third and fourth-year students from the Faculty of Commerce attended this lecture, which focused on self-discovery and understanding personal values, talents, and interests in preparation for their future careers.

Background of the Special Lecture

In recent years, the landscape of career formation has been shifting due to advancements in AI and the diversification of work styles. Traditionally, students approached career paths with a mindset of finding a correct answer, but there is now a growing emphasis on choices that reflect individual authenticity.

According to a recent survey on job hunting, the primary factor determining job acceptance is now the ability to pursue what one truly wants to do. Other factors such as company characteristics and culture have become less significant, indicating that students are prioritizing personal fulfillment over conventional metrics. However, only about 60% of students feel they have a good understanding of themselves, leaving a significant number uncertain about their true identities.

In response to these challenges, institutions are stepping up to support students in gaining a deeper self-understanding, making it a vital component of their career support efforts, as seen at Senshu University.

Previous Engagements

Jikori-kai has previously conducted lectures at Senshu University, led by Takayoshi Nakahara, a professor in the Faculty of Commerce. These sessions received positive feedback from students, emphasizing their importance in career education. This time, the lecture expanded beyond a seminar format, allowing more students to participate and benefit from the insights shared.

Lecture Details

The lecture featured Narutoshi Katada, a self-understanding coach and founding member of Jikori-kai. He kicked off the session by sharing his experiences from his early career, highlighting the struggles he faced as a new graduate and how self-understanding transformed his life positively.

The main focus of the lecture was a methodology to discover what you really want to do, combined with practical workshops. Addressing a common concern among students about not knowing what they want, he emphasized that it’s merely a lack of knowledge about how to find it.