'Smile Project × Square Plus Special Lecture' Held. Ai Sugiyama & Kyoko Nagatsuka Speak ~ Cultivating 'Professional Perspectives' on the World Stage for Business Settings ~
General Incorporated Association Square Plus and Smile Project Co., Ltd. co-hosted a special lecture featuring former professional tennis players Ai Sugiyama and Kyoko Nagatsuka. The event focused on 'Challenging Mindset' and 'World-Class Teamwork,' sharing business insights gained from their experiences and fostering interaction with participants.
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General Incorporated Association Square Plus (Location: Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture) hosted a special lecture on February 5, 2026, featuring Ai Sugiyama and Kyoko Nagatsuka, who belong to the association. The event was organized by Smile Project Co., Ltd., a corporate sponsor of the association.
From left: Kyoko Nagatsuka of the association, Chairman Masafumi Nakanishi of Smile Project Co., Ltd., and Representative Director Ai Sugiyama.
■ Background and Purpose of the Event
The event, held as a special project, focused on the themes of "Challenging Mindset" and "World-Class Teamwork." Director Koshiba emphasized the importance of learning from the real-life experiences cultivated by both speakers during their professional careers in a rapidly changing modern era, and applying at least one of these lessons to daily business actions.
■ Main Contents of the Lecture and Dialogue
In the dialogue session, both speakers, who have competed on the world stage, shared insights applicable to business, drawing from their own experiences.
First, regarding the "Challenging Mindset," they looked back at major turning points in their lives. Sugiyama recounted her path to recovery, where after falling into a serious slump at age 25, her mother, who was also her coach, asked her if she had "done everything she could." This prompted her to restart her mind, technique, and body, ultimately reaching the top 10. Nagatsuka, on the other hand, shared an episode where, after a bitter defeat post-high school dropout, she was prepared to retire. However, her coach proposed a "three-month conditional continuation," which led her to shift her strategy from overcoming weaknesses to honing her strong forehand, thereby opening up a new path.
Nagatsuka, who forged a new path in three months after considering retirement.
Furthermore, regarding organizational culture for "Winning as a Team," they touched upon building trust in doubles. Sugiyama emphasized that shared values and honest communication are key to teamwork. Nagatsuka noted that Sugiyama's consistently constructive way of expressing opinions strengthened the team, re-emphasizing the importance of communication that brings out the best in others and the attitude of doing for others what you wish them to do for you.
The methods for building trust in doubles were highly applicable to businesspeople.
They also discussed career transitions. Sugiyama reframed the pressure that comes with aging as a "challenge to herself," and spoke about reaching the slogan "BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE." Nagatsuka also shared her experience of taking a university entrance exam before turning 30, after retiring at age 24, and gaining diverse perspectives and confidence through learning in a field different from tennis, thus emphasizing the importance of ceaseless self-improvement.
■ Holding of a Social Gathering
After the lecture, a social gathering was held, becoming a lively venue for active interaction across departments, with participating employees asking questions directly to both speakers. It was a valuable time for speakers and employees to exchange words, deepening their understanding of the lecture content.
■ Future Outlook
Our association will continue to support individual growth and maximize organizational strength through such opportunities in the future.
【Event Outline】
Date: February 5, 2026
Venue: Head Office, 3rd Floor Conference Room
Speakers: Ai Sugiyama, Kyoko Nagatsuka (Members of our association)
Participants: All employees of Smile Holdings / Smile Project
Smile Project Co., Ltd.
Since its founding, it has developed three businesses: "Domestic Education Business," which includes premium education services and authorized nursery school operations, "International Education Business," which includes global schools and overseas study support, and "Postnatal Care Business." It provides personalized services that cater to each individual, aiming to realize a society where "family happiness" and "individual happiness" can coexist.
• Corporate Purpose: Towards a society where "family happiness" and "individual happiness" can coexist
• Representative Director: Ayumi Doi, President and CEO
• Head Office Location: Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo (Gotanda PLACE)
• Parent Company: Smile Holdings Co., Ltd. (TSE Growth: 7084)
【General Incorporated Association Square Plus】
General Incorporated Association Square Plus is a project team where nine legends of Japanese women's tennis have gathered, aiming to contribute to society and open up the future through tennis. They aim to be a force that supports all individuals who challenge their dreams, including not only tennis players but also working women and those raising children.
Members: Ai Sugiyama, Aiko Nakamura, Akiko Morigami (Representative Director), Yone Kamio, Kyoko Nagatsuka, Shinobu Asagoe, Saori Obata, Ayumi Morita, Misaki Doi (9 former top professional players active on the world tennis tour)
Main Activities:
• Tournament operation / Support for young talent through hosting ITF World Tennis Tour, etc.
• Next-generation development / Implementation of junior camps and clinics
• Social contribution activities / Holding sessions and events in collaboration with companies and local communities
【Square Plus】
Official Website: https://d
From left: Kyoko Nagatsuka of the association, Chairman Masafumi Nakanishi of Smile Project Co., Ltd., and Representative Director Ai Sugiyama.
■ Background and Purpose of the Event
The event, held as a special project, focused on the themes of "Challenging Mindset" and "World-Class Teamwork." Director Koshiba emphasized the importance of learning from the real-life experiences cultivated by both speakers during their professional careers in a rapidly changing modern era, and applying at least one of these lessons to daily business actions.
■ Main Contents of the Lecture and Dialogue
In the dialogue session, both speakers, who have competed on the world stage, shared insights applicable to business, drawing from their own experiences.
First, regarding the "Challenging Mindset," they looked back at major turning points in their lives. Sugiyama recounted her path to recovery, where after falling into a serious slump at age 25, her mother, who was also her coach, asked her if she had "done everything she could." This prompted her to restart her mind, technique, and body, ultimately reaching the top 10. Nagatsuka, on the other hand, shared an episode where, after a bitter defeat post-high school dropout, she was prepared to retire. However, her coach proposed a "three-month conditional continuation," which led her to shift her strategy from overcoming weaknesses to honing her strong forehand, thereby opening up a new path.
Nagatsuka, who forged a new path in three months after considering retirement.
Furthermore, regarding organizational culture for "Winning as a Team," they touched upon building trust in doubles. Sugiyama emphasized that shared values and honest communication are key to teamwork. Nagatsuka noted that Sugiyama's consistently constructive way of expressing opinions strengthened the team, re-emphasizing the importance of communication that brings out the best in others and the attitude of doing for others what you wish them to do for you.
The methods for building trust in doubles were highly applicable to businesspeople.
They also discussed career transitions. Sugiyama reframed the pressure that comes with aging as a "challenge to herself," and spoke about reaching the slogan "BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE." Nagatsuka also shared her experience of taking a university entrance exam before turning 30, after retiring at age 24, and gaining diverse perspectives and confidence through learning in a field different from tennis, thus emphasizing the importance of ceaseless self-improvement.
■ Holding of a Social Gathering
After the lecture, a social gathering was held, becoming a lively venue for active interaction across departments, with participating employees asking questions directly to both speakers. It was a valuable time for speakers and employees to exchange words, deepening their understanding of the lecture content.
■ Future Outlook
Our association will continue to support individual growth and maximize organizational strength through such opportunities in the future.
【Event Outline】
Date: February 5, 2026
Venue: Head Office, 3rd Floor Conference Room
Speakers: Ai Sugiyama, Kyoko Nagatsuka (Members of our association)
Participants: All employees of Smile Holdings / Smile Project
Smile Project Co., Ltd.
Since its founding, it has developed three businesses: "Domestic Education Business," which includes premium education services and authorized nursery school operations, "International Education Business," which includes global schools and overseas study support, and "Postnatal Care Business." It provides personalized services that cater to each individual, aiming to realize a society where "family happiness" and "individual happiness" can coexist.
• Corporate Purpose: Towards a society where "family happiness" and "individual happiness" can coexist
• Representative Director: Ayumi Doi, President and CEO
• Head Office Location: Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo (Gotanda PLACE)
• Parent Company: Smile Holdings Co., Ltd. (TSE Growth: 7084)
【General Incorporated Association Square Plus】
General Incorporated Association Square Plus is a project team where nine legends of Japanese women's tennis have gathered, aiming to contribute to society and open up the future through tennis. They aim to be a force that supports all individuals who challenge their dreams, including not only tennis players but also working women and those raising children.
Members: Ai Sugiyama, Aiko Nakamura, Akiko Morigami (Representative Director), Yone Kamio, Kyoko Nagatsuka, Shinobu Asagoe, Saori Obata, Ayumi Morita, Misaki Doi (9 former top professional players active on the world tennis tour)
Main Activities:
• Tournament operation / Support for young talent through hosting ITF World Tennis Tour, etc.
• Next-generation development / Implementation of junior camps and clinics
• Social contribution activities / Holding sessions and events in collaboration with companies and local communities
【Square Plus】
Official Website: https://d