Article

STARSCAPE: Reflections while Working with Clients Over the Past Year

Introduction

It has already been a year and a half since STARSCAPE was founded.

The idea of creating STARSCAPE was born out of a simple conversation one day with Dr. Tomomi Yamashita (now our advisor at STARSCAPE).

“Many clients who take cognitive assessments end up blaming themselves or feeling anxious after seeing the scores, even though those results can also show their strengths.”

That small lament was the seed that grew into what STARSCAPE would become.

In Japan, psychological assessments are often regarded as something only “for people with problems” or as paperwork required to access support.

But we began to wonder. Couldn’t they be much more than that?

Whether you are a student or a working adult, understanding your own abilities, by knowing your strengths and how to use them, can make life feel more fulfilling and manageable.

With this belief, three of us who shared the same vision came together to create STARSCAPE.

Our goal is to build a space where psychological testing and counseling are not reserved just for people in distress, but where anyone can come to “get to know themselves better.” Someone with curiosity. 

The Meaning Behind the Name “STARSCAPE”

It took us quite some time to decide on a name, but we finally arrived at STARSCAPE.

When we look up at the night sky, we see countless stars; each one unique, each shining in its own way.
For us, those stars represent the inner qualities and strengths of each person.
When connected, they form a constellation. Something distinct and beautiful that no one else can replicate.

We human beings, too, are complex, mysterious, and deeply beautiful in our individuality.
Over this past year and a half, we have carried this belief close to our hearts, striving to help each person find and understand the stars within them.
And as we continue forward, we hope to keep deepening that meaning.

To know oneself is not only helpful in learning or working. It also profoundly shapes how we relate to others. It is, in essence, an act of discovery.

The Constellations We’ve Seen Through STARSCAPE

Among the people we have worked with, some say they don’t know what stars they have.
Others feel as if their sky is completely dark.
Even when praised by others, they struggle to accept it genuinely.

Or there are also those who already sense what their stars might be, but are unsure on how to connect them.
Our role  is to help people trace the lines between those stars, to help them discover the constellation that tells their story.

What We’ve Learned: The Importance of Recognizing One’s Own Light

Through meeting so many individuals, we’ve been reminded again and again of the value of truly understanding a person.

Today, information about psychology and self-assessment is everywhere.
With just a few clicks, anyone can take a diagnostic test or a personality quiz online.
But to truly understand a person requires a lot more.
It takes time, professional knowledge, and above all, a sincere curiosity and patience to really know that individual.

At STARSCAPE, our goal is not merely to deliver results, but to ensure that each person can use those results meaningfully.
That is why we take great care in our analysis and feedback, and why we ourselves are constantly learning and refining our methods.

Sometimes, people feel discouraged by their results.
Some even say, “So… I don’t have any stars after all.”
But I don’t see it that way.

There’s a saying: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”
Your light doesn’t come from comparing yourself to others. It comes from the unique balance of your own strengths and weaknesses.
Those differences are your stars.
And helping each one shine a little brighter is what our work is about.

Many people hesitate to take the first step.
They tell us, “It feels like opening Pandora’s box.”
But to know yourself is to have the courage to open that box.

We would like to be there at that moment, to stand beside you as you take that step.
When you open the box and start seeing yourself as the main character of your own story, please remember that you are not alone.

The Landscape We See Now

In recent years, awareness of mental health is growing in Japan.
Even so, many people still view psychological assessment or counseling as something of a stigma, meant only for those with psychological issues.
We hope to gently dissolve those misconceptions.

That’s why our slogan at STARSCAPE is: “A little psychology in everyday life.”

We want psychology to feel closer, more accessible.
Not just in education or work settings, but also in everyday relationships and the way we think about ourselves.
We believe that evidence-based psychology can offer practical insights for anyone who wants to live more authentically.

Continuing Our Journey Among the Starry Night

Going forward, STARSCAPE will continue to provide high-quality, evidence-based services with sincerity and care.
There are still countless skies we have yet to explore.
We hope to keep gazing upward, star by star, constellation by constellation, and continuing this journey together with our clients.

In our hearts' sky, there are innumerable stars shining.
How we connect them, and what constellations we choose to draw.
Perhaps that is what it truly means to “know oneself.”

October 17, 2025
Koh Wei Quan
Founder, STARSCAPE