Announcing Presentation of Joint Research Results with Professor Katsutoshi Furutate of Hosei University's Faculty of Career Design at the International Conference "2026 APCDA Hybrid Conference"
SmartSoudan, Inc. will present the results of its joint research with Professor Katsutoshi Furutate of Hosei University at the "2026 APCDA Hybrid Conference" in Malaysia. The research, which analyzes the relationship between objective client evaluations and subjective counselor evaluations within EAP services, has been officially accepted by the conference. This presentation underscores the company's commitment to advancing Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in the field of interpersonal support.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 20:00
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SmartSoudan, Inc. (Head office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director & CEO: Yasuo Fujita; hereinafter "the Company") has conducted joint research with Professor Katsutoshi Furutate of the Department of Career Design, Faculty of Career Design at Hosei University, on "The Relationship Between Objective Evaluations by Clients and Subjective Evaluations by Counselors." We are pleased to announce that the results of this research have been accepted for presentation at the "2026 APCDA Hybrid Conference," which will be held in Malaysia from April 20 to April 30, 2026.
■ About APCDA
The Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA) is a forum for sharing ideas and practices on career development in the Asia-Pacific region and disseminating this knowledge to the world. Its primary goal is to provide a platform where career counselors and educators working in countries with diverse cultures and backgrounds can share the latest research findings and effective support techniques. Each year, it holds an international conference in various cities across the Asia-Pacific region, facilitating a vibrant exchange of knowledge through a hybrid format of in-person and online sessions.
■ Event Overview
Conference Name: 2026 APCDA Hybrid Conference
Location: Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Dates: 4/20/2026 - 4/30/2026
Official Website: https://asiapacificcda.org/2026-apcda-hybrid-conference/
■ Research Background
The Company provides "SmartSoudan," an external consultation service for corporations based on the concept of "allowing anyone to consult about anything, anytime, with ease." The Company aims to contribute to society by academically analyzing and utilizing the consultation data and knowledge accumulated through this service. In particular, it positions the creation of new academic knowledge in the field of interpersonal support as a crucial theme and actively promotes joint research with universities and research institutions.
■ Research Overview
● Presentation Theme
Discrepancies between Counselors’ and Clients’ Experiences and Satisfaction in Corporate EAP Counseling (The relationship between objective evaluation by clients and subjective evaluation by counselors—through session evaluation in EAP services)
● Research Members
Shiori Sato (Counselor Office, SmartSoudan, Inc.)
Mayuko Miura (Counselor Office, SmartSoudan, Inc.)
Yasuo Fujita (Representative Director & CEO, SmartSoudan, Inc.)
Katsutoshi Furutate (Professor, Department of Career Design, Faculty of Career Design, Hosei University)
● Research Content
As an attempt to apply "Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)," whose importance has been suggested since the early 2000s, in the corporate domain, particularly in the context of EAP (Employee Assistance Programs), this study examined the discrepancies and correlations between counselors' subjective session evaluations and clients' objective evaluations within an EAP service. The analysis covered records of 74 counseling sessions from the corporate external consultation service "SmartSoudan."
■ Researcher's Comment
We believe that promoting "Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)" in the EAP field is a crucial step for the interpersonal support domain to take in addressing challenges faced by companies, such as improving individual well-being and health management.
In this study, by combining the practical data our company has accumulated in the EAP field with academic analysis using objective evaluation metrics, we feel that we have uncovered an interesting reality regarding the "asymmetry of evaluation" between counselors and clients, which is a key consideration in how support is provided.
Moving forward, we will continue to integrate clinical practice and academic research to explore what determines the quality of counseling. By applying these findings to our daily support, we aim to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society where all working individuals can continue to thrive in good health.
Shiori Sato, Head of Counselor Office, SmartSoudan, Inc.
● Related Links
Announced the results of joint research with Professor Katsutoshi Furutate of Hosei University's Faculty of Career Design at the 30th Anniversary Conference of the Japan Career Counseling Society.
https://smart-sou.co.jp/news/20251208
■ About the Corporate External Consultation Service "SmartSoudan"
"SmartSoudan" is an external consultation service for corporations where anyone can consult about anything, anytime, with ease. In addition to counseling and medical consultations, it offers a wide range of functions, from stress checks and harassment reporting windows that ensure legal compliance, to coaching and individual training that lead to human resource development and cultivation. With over 200 specialists on staff, we carefully address each individual's concerns and issues. By helping to resolve minor worries and anxieties before they lead to poor health, we realize the prevention of mental health issues and contribute to corporate health management and the mental well-being of working people.
"SmartSoudan" Service Site: https://smart-sou.co.jp/counseling
◼ About SmartSoudan, Inc.
With the mission to "resolve the 'frustrations' of working people and align 'individual growth' with 'organizational growth'," we develop and operate an online interpersonal support platform for corporations. Established in February 2021 by CEO Yasuo Fujita, who spent 10 years in new business development and organizational management at a medical business company, we offer the "SmartSoudan" external consultation service, which supports corporate health management by preventing mental health issues, and the "Smart MyCoach" coaching service, which maximizes individual potential and accelerates corporate human capital management. SmartSoudan is a SmartHR group company.
◼ Company Overview
Company Name: SmartSoudan, Inc.
Representative Director & CEO: Yasuo Fujita
Established: February 1, 2021
Location: Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower, 3-2-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Corporate URL: https://smart-sou.co.jp/company
Business Activities: Development and operation of an online interpersonal support platform for businesses
SmartSoudan: https://smart-sou.co.jp/counseling
Smart MyCoach: https://smart-sou.co.jp/coaching
*Product names, company names, and service names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
*The information provided is current as of the announcement date. Information is subject to change without notice.
■ About APCDA
The Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA) is a forum for sharing ideas and practices on career development in the Asia-Pacific region and disseminating this knowledge to the world. Its primary goal is to provide a platform where career counselors and educators working in countries with diverse cultures and backgrounds can share the latest research findings and effective support techniques. Each year, it holds an international conference in various cities across the Asia-Pacific region, facilitating a vibrant exchange of knowledge through a hybrid format of in-person and online sessions.
■ Event Overview
Conference Name: 2026 APCDA Hybrid Conference
Location: Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Dates: 4/20/2026 - 4/30/2026
Official Website: https://asiapacificcda.org/2026-apcda-hybrid-conference/
■ Research Background
The Company provides "SmartSoudan," an external consultation service for corporations based on the concept of "allowing anyone to consult about anything, anytime, with ease." The Company aims to contribute to society by academically analyzing and utilizing the consultation data and knowledge accumulated through this service. In particular, it positions the creation of new academic knowledge in the field of interpersonal support as a crucial theme and actively promotes joint research with universities and research institutions.
■ Research Overview
● Presentation Theme
Discrepancies between Counselors’ and Clients’ Experiences and Satisfaction in Corporate EAP Counseling (The relationship between objective evaluation by clients and subjective evaluation by counselors—through session evaluation in EAP services)
● Research Members
Shiori Sato (Counselor Office, SmartSoudan, Inc.)
Mayuko Miura (Counselor Office, SmartSoudan, Inc.)
Yasuo Fujita (Representative Director & CEO, SmartSoudan, Inc.)
Katsutoshi Furutate (Professor, Department of Career Design, Faculty of Career Design, Hosei University)
● Research Content
As an attempt to apply "Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)," whose importance has been suggested since the early 2000s, in the corporate domain, particularly in the context of EAP (Employee Assistance Programs), this study examined the discrepancies and correlations between counselors' subjective session evaluations and clients' objective evaluations within an EAP service. The analysis covered records of 74 counseling sessions from the corporate external consultation service "SmartSoudan."
■ Researcher's Comment
We believe that promoting "Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)" in the EAP field is a crucial step for the interpersonal support domain to take in addressing challenges faced by companies, such as improving individual well-being and health management.
In this study, by combining the practical data our company has accumulated in the EAP field with academic analysis using objective evaluation metrics, we feel that we have uncovered an interesting reality regarding the "asymmetry of evaluation" between counselors and clients, which is a key consideration in how support is provided.
Moving forward, we will continue to integrate clinical practice and academic research to explore what determines the quality of counseling. By applying these findings to our daily support, we aim to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society where all working individuals can continue to thrive in good health.
Shiori Sato, Head of Counselor Office, SmartSoudan, Inc.
● Related Links
Announced the results of joint research with Professor Katsutoshi Furutate of Hosei University's Faculty of Career Design at the 30th Anniversary Conference of the Japan Career Counseling Society.
https://smart-sou.co.jp/news/20251208
■ About the Corporate External Consultation Service "SmartSoudan"
"SmartSoudan" is an external consultation service for corporations where anyone can consult about anything, anytime, with ease. In addition to counseling and medical consultations, it offers a wide range of functions, from stress checks and harassment reporting windows that ensure legal compliance, to coaching and individual training that lead to human resource development and cultivation. With over 200 specialists on staff, we carefully address each individual's concerns and issues. By helping to resolve minor worries and anxieties before they lead to poor health, we realize the prevention of mental health issues and contribute to corporate health management and the mental well-being of working people.
"SmartSoudan" Service Site: https://smart-sou.co.jp/counseling
◼ About SmartSoudan, Inc.
With the mission to "resolve the 'frustrations' of working people and align 'individual growth' with 'organizational growth'," we develop and operate an online interpersonal support platform for corporations. Established in February 2021 by CEO Yasuo Fujita, who spent 10 years in new business development and organizational management at a medical business company, we offer the "SmartSoudan" external consultation service, which supports corporate health management by preventing mental health issues, and the "Smart MyCoach" coaching service, which maximizes individual potential and accelerates corporate human capital management. SmartSoudan is a SmartHR group company.
◼ Company Overview
Company Name: SmartSoudan, Inc.
Representative Director & CEO: Yasuo Fujita
Established: February 1, 2021
Location: Sumitomo Fudosan Roppongi Grand Tower, 3-2-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Corporate URL: https://smart-sou.co.jp/company
Business Activities: Development and operation of an online interpersonal support platform for businesses
SmartSoudan: https://smart-sou.co.jp/counseling
Smart MyCoach: https://smart-sou.co.jp/coaching
*Product names, company names, and service names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
*The information provided is current as of the announcement date. Information is subject to change without notice.