Making Detectives a "Naturally Reliable Presence"

Our company supports April Dream, an initiative to make April 1st a day for expressing dreams. This press release represents the dream of "Global Detective Agency."

Background of the Dream

"What do detectives even do?"

Every time I heard that, I keenly felt the "invisibility" and "lack of trust" in this profession.

When I chose detective work, I had no sense of mission. I just wanted to do something different. I wanted a job where I could directly face people's deep-seated troubles.

I once confronted danger as a firefighter and stood in foreign rings as a fighter. A person who had only lived in the midst of the extraordinary happened to find a connection with detective work. What I realized after diving in was the unique depth of this job.

People who were overwhelmed with anxiety genuinely thanked me in the end.

"A job that started by chance eventually became my dream."

Have you ever considered consulting a detective but then stopped? Have you opened an inquiry form and then quietly closed it? Global Detective Agency's independent survey found that some individuals deliberated for up to two years before deciding to consult.

"They seem shady," "They're scary," "I don't even know what's good about them."

—These are the common sentiments. Yet, almost 100% of those who actually consulted said, "I felt relieved after talking," and "I felt even more relieved after meeting them."

Such experiences are once-in-a-lifetime events. There's nothing to compare them to, and it's hard to know what criteria to use for selection. This "not knowing" becomes the first and biggest hurdle for clients.

Why the "not knowing"? There's a reason.

The image of the detective industry as "shady" and "scary" has a historical background. For a long time, until the Detective Business Act was enacted in 2007, anyone could call themselves a detective without qualifications or registration.

Unscrupulous operators who charged fees without conducting investigations, and malicious operators who threatened clients with information, were rampant, and the image of "detective = underworld business" became entrenched.

With the enactment of the Detective Business Act, it has now evolved into a clean service industry. However, even with legal reforms, past impressions do not easily fade. Influenced by movies and dramas, the initial impression of "shady" still lingers.

There are also structural problems.

Doctors have medical licenses, and lawyers have bar exams. For any profession, there are benchmarks that clients can use to judge, "This person is trustworthy." But for detectives, there are no such markers. Because it's an industry where anyone can claim to be a detective just by registering, faces are unseen, personalities are unknown, and there's no standard for fees.

Past images remain, and there are no benchmarks for judgment. Therefore, clients feel "scared" and bear their burdens alone.

In America, detectives are part of "social infrastructure."

In many US states, private investigators operate under a national licensing system.

Because there are qualifications, clients can make judgments. Because they can judge, they can consult with peace of mind. Because they can consult with peace of mind, there are no more nights spent bearing burdens alone.

It's also common for lawyers to hire detectives for evidence collection. Detectives are deeply rooted in society because there's a system to judge "whether this person is okay to ask." That system doesn't yet exist in Japan.

Two experiences taught me this.

While working as a firefighter in Osaka Prefecture, I also competed as a professional fighter, winning titles overseas and participating in K-1. There was a period when I pursued excitement and the extraordinary, balancing two careers.

In the world of firefighters, there is discipline, decorum, and a mission as those entrusted with lives.

Because of that gravity, citizens feel safe when a firefighter arrives. The world of fighters is the same.

Because there is resolve and decorum as one who stands in the ring, the fight gains meaning.

In both worlds, "discipline and decorum" were the foundation of trust. When I started detective work, I was surprised that this "foundation" was missing. It's a job that involves moments that can change people's lives.

That's why I felt a mission to stand here.

Unforgettable Moments

The client who was overwhelmed with anxiety when I first met them genuinely thanked me after the investigation was over.

Their expression had completely changed, as if they were a different person.

I can still remember that face.

There were also nights when I was asked to do something impossible, with tears in their eyes.

Nevertheless, as a behind-the-scenes rescue team, I will be the "last resort" and fulfill my duties.

That is one thing I am absolutely determined to uphold.

My dream is to improve the social recognition of the Japanese detective industry.

To create a qualification system.

To create an environment where clients don't have to hesitate.

To increase the number of people with discipline and decorum in this industry.

For detectives to become a naturally reliable presence in society when people are in trouble.

When that is achieved, people will be able to act sooner without suffering alone.

Just by changing "They seem shady" to "Maybe I should consult them," people will be saved.

To create a society where that first step can be taken with peace of mind. First, we, Global Detective Agency, will continue to embody that vision. To create a society where consulting a detective is commonplace.

And in the future, we are also considering nationwide expansion with partners who share this philosophy.

To create a society where detective agencies that people can trust, saying "This place is safe," are commonplace throughout Japan.

To transform the Japanese detective industry into a socially trusted profession, like in America. We will start that dream from Kansai.

【Company Profile】Global Detective Agency

Representative: Hiroki Mitsui

Global Detective Agency Nishinomiya Takarazuka | 3F Shukugawa Green Town, 7-30 Haguromachi, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture

Detective Business Notification Number: Hyogo Prefectural Public Safety Commission 63250029

Global Detective Agency Nara Gakuenmae | 2F Matsuda Building, 425 Sanjocho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture

Detective Business Notification Number: Nara Prefectural Public Safety Commission 64250002

Global Kyoto Detective Agency | 250 Iwakura Hanazonocho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture

Detective Business Notification Number: Kyoto Prefectural Public Safety Commission 61240002

Global Detective Agency Hokusetsu Consultation Office | 8F Regus Express Hankyu Senri Chuo Business Center, 1-4-1 Shin-Senri Higashimachi, Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture

Business Activities: Detective work (infidelity investigations, background checks, identity verification, corporate investigations, missing person searches, etc.)

Website: https://www.glovalhanshin.com/ https://www.globalkyoto.net/

【Representative Profile】Hiroki Mitsui

Born in Kyoto Prefecture. After making his professional fighting debut in 2009, he based his activities overseas. While serving as a firefighter in Osaka Prefecture and engaging in life-saving activities, he also excelled as an active firefighter-fighter. In 2018, he competed in a televised match in Thailand, winning the IMC International Super Bantamweight title, and participated in K-1 WORLD GP. He also placed second in a domestic men's sports model contest. Armed with the sense of mission cultivated as a firefighter, the mental strength honed as a fighter, and a spirit of "sincerity and compassion," he challenges the reform of the detective industry. Hobbies include spearfishing, hunting, and farming.