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Human-centered knowledge for the path to autonomy.

Human-centered
knowledge for
the path to
autonomy.

A structured framework built from real-world
support and practice—sharing what works,
so more people can thrive.

01 THE CHALLENGE

Many people lack the support
and knowledge to take charge.

From education and employment to social participation,
many still face barriers that limit their potential.
We work alongside communities to change that—
building pathways toward autonomy and well-being.

02 THE SCALE

Too many young people
in Japan are unable to
pursue an autonomous life.

School refusal, social withdrawal, and prolonged disengagement are complex issues affecting hundreds of thousands of children, youth, and their families.

The challenge is not just about numbers.
It is about futures.

  • SCHOOL REFUSAL

    353,970+

    Elementary and junior high school students classified as school-refusing in FY2024.

    Source: MEXT, FY2024

  • HIKIKOMORI / SOCIAL WITHDRAWAL

    1.46M

    Estimated number of people aged 15–64 living in hikikomori (social withdrawal) in Japan.

    Source: Cabinet Office, FY2022 Survey

  • WITHOUT PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT

    135,724

    School-refusing students not receiving professional consultation or guidance through schools or external institutions.

    Source: MEXT, FY2024

03 OUR MISSION

From decades of practice
to a framework
for autonomy.

JADA draws on more than four decades of real-world support practice to develop structured knowledge for families, practitioners, and society.

By bringing together real-world practice, accumulated knowledge, and a human-centered philosophy, JADA supports young people in working toward greater autonomy and shares this knowledge with those who support them.

Takanobu Sugiura sharing JADA's knowledge at a lecture

  • 40+ YEARS
    OF PRACTICE

    More than four decades of direct support for young people and families in Japan.

  • PRACTICE-INFORMED KNOWLEDGE

    Knowledge shaped by decades of real-world practice, accumulated experience, and ongoing learning.

  • HUMAN-CENTERED
    PHILOSOPHY

    Respecting each individual’s potential and supporting their unique journey to autonomy.

  • KNOWLEDGE FOR GLOBAL EXCHANGE

    Sharing knowledge from Japan and connecting with researchers, educators, practitioners, and organizations around the world.

04 AUTONOMY STAGE OS

A framework to understand
the current situation.

Autonomy Stage OS is JADA’s framework for understanding the current situation of young people and families facing school refusal and social withdrawal (hikikomori). Within it, the 5-Stage Assessment identifies current severity and the level of support needed.

Explore Autonomy Stage OS
Autonomy Stage OS displayed on a laptop

5-STAGE ASSESSMENT

The 5-Stage Assessment identifies the current severity, current situation, and level of support needed.

  1. Stage 1

  2. Stage 2

  3. Stage 3

  4. Stage 4

  5. Stage 5

Lower severity / support needs Higher severity / support needs

UNDERSTAND THE CURRENT SITUATION.
IDENTIFY SUPPORT NEEDS.

The 5-Stage Assessment helps practitioners and families understand the current severity and situation, and identify the level of support needed.

05 JADA SUPPORT PHILOSOPHY

Every young person
has the potential
to develop greater autonomy.

PARENT COACHING DIRECT SUPPORT FOR THE YOUNG PERSON

JADA Support Philosophy brings together Parent Coaching and Direct Support for the Young Person as complementary forms of support. Grounded in human potential and real-world practice, this approach supports young people and families in working toward greater autonomy.

Explore JADA Support Philosophy
Takanobu Sugiura in conversation with a young person

CORE PRINCIPLES

  • HUMAN-CENTERED

    We see each young person as a whole individual, not just their challenges. Dignity and respect come first.

  • PRACTICE-INFORMED

    Our approach is shaped by decades of real-world practice, accumulated experience, and ongoing learning.

  • FAMILY-INCLUSIVE

    Families are key partners. We support the family as a whole, not only the individual.

  • STRENGTHS-FOCUSED

    We build on existing strengths and resources to grow confidence and capability.

  • SOCIETY-CONNECTED

    We work toward a society where every young person can belong, participate, contribute, and thrive.

FROM PHILOSOPHY TO
CONCRETE SUPPORT.

The 7 Steps to Autonomy translate JADA Support Philosophy into a practical support process.

See how we support

06 7 STEPS TO AUTONOMY

JADA’s practical
support process.

The 7 Steps to Autonomy translate JADA Support Philosophy into a practical support process, guiding support according to each person’s current situation and support needs.

Explore the 7 Steps to Autonomy

STEP 1

Parent Coaching & Stage Assessment

STEP 2

Outreach

STEP 3

Lifestyle Improvement & Environmental Adjustment

STEP 4

Learning Support

STEP 5

Building Social Connections

STEP 6

Pathway & Social Participation Support

STEP 7

Social Autonomy

For parents and families

Understand the support journey and gain clarity about how to move forward.

For practitioners

Use a shared language to plan support, guide practice, and review progress over time.

For young people

Recognize progress, build confidence, and shape your own path forward.

07

JADA SUCCESS HUB / EVIDENCE

Evidence. Experience. Impact.
Built on more than four decades of real-world practice.

JADA draws on more than four decades of direct support practice,
experience supporting more than 10,000 young people,
and accumulated outcomes, publications, media engagement, and professional knowledge.

  • 40+

    YEARS OF PRACTICE

    More than four decades of direct support, practice, and accumulated experience.

  • 10,000+

    YOUNG PEOPLE SUPPORTED

    More than 10,000 young people supported through decades of practice in Japan.

  • OUTCOMES

    REAL-WORLD CHANGE

    Documented journeys toward renewed participation in education, work, relationships, and community life.

  • SUCCESS STORIES

    Real Journeys. Real Change.

    Real-world stories of young people and families navigating different paths toward autonomy.

    Takanobu Sugiura with former JADA participants

  • BOOKS & PUBLICATIONS

    Knowledge for Practice.

    Books and publications sharing insights developed through decades of practice in school refusal, social withdrawal, education, and autonomy.

    Books and publications by Takanobu Sugiura

  • MEDIA FEATURES

    Sharing JADA’s Work.

    JADA and Takanobu Sugiura have been featured in NHK, PIVOT, newspapers, magazines, and online media.

    Logos of NHK, PIVOT, Toyo Keizai Online, and AERA

  • LECTURES & TRAINING

    Sharing Knowledge.

    Lectures, trainings, and seminars for parents, practitioners, educators, and communities.

    Takanobu Sugiura speaking at a lecture

  • RESEARCH & COLLABORATION

    Building Knowledge Together.

    JADA welcomes research and collaboration with universities, educators, practitioners, and organizations to share and develop knowledge for autonomy.

    People reviewing documents together around a table

FROM PRACTICE
TO SHARED KNOWLEDGE.

JADA continues to document and share knowledge from real-world practice, supporting better understanding of pathways toward autonomy and social participation.

Explore the Success Hub

08 SOCIAL AUTONOMY

Autonomy is more than
independence. It is the ability to
choose, act, and connect.

At JADA, autonomy means more than living alone or making decisions in isolation.
It means developing the capacity to make choices, take action,
and participate meaningfully in society.

Social Autonomy is JADA’s long-term goal. It means being able to make choices, take part in society, build meaningful roles, and connect with others in ways that reflect each person’s circumstances and goals.

  • CHOICE

    Choosing one’s
    own path

    Autonomy begins with the ability to make choices. Understanding one’s values, needs, and hopes helps shape decisions that reflect who they are and how they want to live.

  • ACTION

    Acting with
    intention

    Choice becomes meaningful through action. Building routines, taking initiative, and moving forward step by step can strengthen confidence and self-direction.

  • SOCIETY

    Connecting and
    contributing

    Social autonomy includes participation in learning, work, relationships, and community life—building connections, taking on meaningful roles, and contributing to society in ways that reflect each person’s circumstances and goals.

From personal choice to social participation.

Social Autonomy is the final goal toward which JADA’s support is oriented.

Explore JADA Success Hub / Evidence

09

SELECTED SUCCESS STORIES

Different journeys.
Toward Social Autonomy.

Real-world stories from JADA’s support practice show that the path toward autonomy is not the same for everyone.

10,000+

Young people supported

40+ YEARS

of Practice

EDUCATION
WORK
PARTICIPATION

Different paths toward Social Autonomy

CASE 01

From isolation
to public service

After nearly 10 years at home, she returned to education, completed correspondence high school, earned a childcare qualification, and later began working in public service.

CASE 02

From school refusal
to service

After withdrawing from school in junior high, outreach support and peer connection helped him re-engage, graduate from correspondence high school, and begin a career in the Japan Self-Defense Forces.

CASE 03

A new path
after dropping out

After academic struggles and leaving high school, he rebuilt his learning path through correspondence education and later began working at a Tokyo ward office.

CASE 04

From isolation
to the tech world

After school refusal, bullying, and setbacks in education, he regained confidence, entered Aoyama Gakuin University, and later joined a major IT company.

BEHIND EVERY OUTCOME IS A HUMAN STORY.

Behind every outcome is a unique journey shaped by the person, their family, and the support around them.

Explore the Success Hub

  • PRIVACY RESPECTED

    Personal details are handled with care and respect for privacy.

  • REAL-WORLD OUTCOMES

    Stories are drawn from JADA’s real-world support practice and documented outcomes.

  • DIFFERENT PATHS FORWARD

    Each story shows that pathways toward autonomy can take many different forms.

  • FROM JAPAN TO THE WORLD

    Sharing lessons from practice in Japan with a global audience.

10 FOUNDER / TAKANOBU SUGIURA

Founded by Takanobu Sugiura.
Built on more than four decades of practice.

For more than four decades, Takanobu Sugiura has worked directly with young people, families, and educational settings. His accumulated practice continues to inform JADA’s philosophy, frameworks, and approach to supporting autonomy.

THE RELATIONSHIP

TAKANOBU
SUGIURA

Experience &
Philosophy

JADA

Vision &
Mission

AUTONOMY
STAGE OS

Framework &
Practice

Takanobu Sugiura, Founder and Representative Director of JADA

  • 40+ YEARS
    OF PRACTICE

  • FOUNDER
    OF JADA

  • PRACTICE INFORMING JADA’S
    AUTONOMY FRAMEWORK

  • AUTHOR

  • MEDIA
    CONTRIBUTOR

  • LECTURER &
    TRAINER

  • ADVOCACY &
    LEADERSHIP

  • GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE
    EXCHANGE

 

Every young person has potential.

 

A belief shaped through more than four decades of direct practice.

Signature of Takanobu Sugiura

11 GLOBAL VISION

From Japan to the world.
A knowledge platform for autonomy.

JADA Global is a knowledge platform for sharing insights
developed through decades of real-world practice in Japan.
It brings together JADA’s frameworks, support philosophy,
outcomes, and accumulated knowledge to encourage dialogue
and collaboration across cultures, professions, and communities.

  • RESEARCH

    Evidence, case studies, and outcomes drawn from real-world practice. Insights that contribute to better understanding of school refusal, social withdrawal, and pathways toward autonomy.

    EVIDENCE & INSIGHT

  • EDUCATION

    Frameworks, stage-based understanding, lectures, and training. Knowledge sharing that supports learning, professional development, and practical application.

    LEARN & SHARE

  • SUPPORT

    Practical approaches and guidance for families, practitioners, educators, and communities. Support that responds to each person’s stage, needs, and long-term development.

    APPLY & SUPPORT

PROPOSAL TO THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY

Beyond school return. Beyond employment. Toward Social Autonomy.

JADA proposes that support for school refusal, high school dropout, and social withdrawal should look beyond immediate outcomes such as returning to school or entering employment. The longer-term goal is Social Autonomy—the capacity to make choices, participate in society, build meaningful roles, and contribute in ways that reflect each person’s circumstances and goals.