Opening the Future Through Connection
— JCDA Walking Together with Human Stories
Happy New Year.
I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all JCDA members and to everyone who supports and takes interest in our activities.
The year 2025 marked my first year as President of JCDA. While stepping into this role came with new responsibilities and moments of uncertainty, I was continually supported by the warm words and sincere commitment of our members. Through this experience, I was reminded that JCDA is not shaped by any one individual, but by the collective actions, insights, and dedication of many people.
In December 2025, JCDA celebrated its 25th anniversary. Reflecting on our theme—“Who are we, and what do we live for?”—I felt deep respect for the experiences and connections that each JCDA member has built over the years. At this milestone, the question of what we carry forward and where we are headed becomes our shared source of energy.
Toward 2026: An Era That Honors Human Stories
Amid rapid advances in AI and growing global uncertainty, people’s ways of working and living are being profoundly challenged. While information is more accessible than ever, human value and identity can feel increasingly fragile.
This is precisely why career counseling matters. AI cannot engage with the deeper layers of human life—what a person truly values, the hopes and struggles behind their choices, or the meaning they seek. Career counseling is a process through which individuals reconnect with what matters to them and rediscover their inner energy in times of change. Growth of self-concept is nurtured through trust-based human relationships and respectful dialogue.
Our Focus for 2026
In 2026, JCDA aims to further clarify, strengthen, and share the role of CDA (Career Development Advisor) with society through five key directions:
1. Opening peer training opportunities to society, extending experiential learning beyond our membership
2. Walking alongside social issues, bringing the CDA mindset to diverse fields such as health, education, community, and inclusion
3. Supporting children’s futures through expanded career education in schools and universities
4. Contributing to small and medium-sized enterprises, where career counseling can have a particularly strong impact
5. Upholding quality and ethics, recognizing that continuous learning, supervision, and self-reflection are essential to our profession
A Closing Thought
CDA is not simply a credential—it is a way of learning that accompanies one’s life. Each person’s pace of engagement is different, and every experience, whether active or reflective, is an important part of JCDA.
In 2026, we aim to continue being a community where people can connect with a sense of safety, grow together, and contribute to society.
Thank you for your continued support.
Yoshimi Sasaki
President
Japan Career Development Association (JCDA)