Chizu-san’s facilitation style creates a gentle, calm atmosphere that is very comforting. She values not only the presentations but also the time for each person to reflect, savour what they’ve heard, and find their own words—honouring the lingering resonance of the dialogue. In settings like this, people sometimes feel the urge to speak at length or make strong criticisms, but she managed such moments with care, creating a sense of safety. [Translated from the original Japanese]

I had the privilege of experiencing Chizu’s facilitation at a dialogue event where nearly 30 participants gathered to discuss a specialized topic. Amid a passionate exchange of diverse perspectives, Chizu served as a stabilizing presence - never dismissing any viewpoint, but instead embracing each with positive and thoughtful language that fostered an open and welcoming atmosphere.

At the same time, she skillfully ensured that the discussion remained focused, guiding it with precision so that it steadily progressed toward its intended goal. Her facilitation was akin to meticulously weaving individual threads - delicately and intentionally intertwining diverse opinions to create a rich and cohesive dialogue.

Her ability to seamlessly connect differing perspectives and shape them into a unified flow not only brought warmth and a sense of shared understanding to the discussion but also led to meaningful and tangible outcomes.

I sincerely hope that Chizu’s exceptional facilitation skills will continue to be leveraged in discussions, negotiations, and decision-making processes, helping to foster a more constructive and harmonious world.

I had never imagined receiving coaching myself. In Japan, coaching is still not very common. But thanks to a fortunate connection, I had the opportunity to work with Chizu Matsushita, and it has become a truly valuable and meaningful part of my life.

In everyday life, we rarely take time to truly listen to our own inner voice. Chizu gently helps me explore what I’m really thinking and feeling, and brings those thoughts to the surface in words.

There are coaching approaches that focus on setting and achieving specific goals step by step, and I respect that. But for me, the time I spend with Chizu is something deeper—it’s an emotional anchor. Just knowing that someone is truly listening, even when I worry what others might think or hesitate to talk about myself too much, gives me a sense of calm and safety.

Still, it’s not just about “talking.” After each session, I always come away with words—my own words—that stay with me. And I know those words become stepping stones forward because Chizu is a true professional.

I will continue receiving her coaching—it’s something I deeply value and rely on.
[Translated from the original Japanese]

I had heard of coaching before and even read a few explanations, but it never really clicked with me—and I never thought I’d actually receive coaching myself. When I was reflecting on my career path, I came across an offer for a free coaching session by Chizu Matsushita. I was intrigued by her background and took a look at her website. I signed up for a session, somewhat casually.

To my surprise, I came out of that session thinking, “I want this person to walk alongside me.” That’s why I decided to sign up for six sessions. Over the years, I’ve come to feel that while what you do in life is important, who you meet and who you choose to walk with often matters even more. That’s what led me to make this decision. Over six sessions, sometimes including mentoring at my request, Chizu supported me exactly as I hoped. Within about six months, I reached the goal I had initially set. I’m grateful to have had Chizu as my companion on this journey.

Now that the sessions have ended, what I feel most of all is a deep sense of clarity and lightness. I recommend coaching with Chizu even to those who, like me, weren’t sure coaching was for them.
[Translated from the original Japanese]

I am 200% satisfied! This coaching experience has been a major turning point in my life. I discovered what I truly want, why I think the way I do, and uncovered my authentic self. I gained clarity on my goals, priorities, and methods, enabling me to make decisions and take action. Amid a flood of dubious self-help books and unsubstantiated advice, Matsushita-san’s objective, professional coaching, tailored specifically to me, was invaluable. Her presence and life experiences deeply inspired me. I hope to seek her guidance during key moments in my life. Thank you, and I look forward to working with you again. [Translated from the original Japanese]

I had the privilege of receiving coaching from Matsushita-san during a time when I was struggling with a career transition. Before receiging her coaching, I felt lost and lacked confidence in my direction. However, through the coaching process, I was able to clarify my thoughts and actions, ultimately achieving the significant goal of finding a satisfying new career. Previously, I tended to go through the process of thinking and decision-making on my own. However, during the period when Matsushita-san accompanied me, I was able to gain new perspectives, receive non-judgmental and objective feedback, and realise my true feelings. It was an incredibly valuable experience. Additionally, when I viewed certain things as failures or regrets, Matsushita-san always helped me to reframe them positively. Her support was truly encouraging during the difficult and lengthy period of my career transition. For anyone feeling lost or struggling with career challenges, or those who feel like they're hitting a wall on their own, I highly recommend Matsushita-san’s coaching! [Translated from the original Japanese]

I found Chizu's coaching particularly helpful because she provided a safe and supported space for me to sit with questions I had been pondering - around how I could respond better to challenging situations, and what my future career might look like. I always knew I would end the session with Chizu having achieved much with great clarity and some concrete actions. I have worked with many coaches over the years and I found Chizu's coaching style to be the best I've experienced. She is skilled in creating a calm and open space, and with deep listening and questioning she helps you identify, explore and feel confident about the ideas that surface and next steps that can help you move in the direction you seek. Chizu's sessions are very empowering.

I was honored to be coached by Coach Chizu for 6 sessions. Throughout the entire period, she made sure that it was a safe space and that I could express my struggles and thoughts without feeling ashamed. She listened attentively and her questions always provoked such a deep sense of critical thinking and made me aware and see other perspectives I didn't before and led us to find the root cause of the problems that I want to tackle. I feel hopeful and energized for my future personal and career paths. I would recommend Coach Chizu to anyone especially those who have a lot of ideas but are still filled with self-doubts and uncertainty and need that extra push.

I was coached by Chizu for a total of 11 sessions (5 in 2023 and 6 in 2024). She provided me with a safe space to express my feelings and deep thoughts without feeling judged. She listened attentively and asked thought-provoking questions, making me self-aware and see issues from a different perspective. This led me to find solutions to problems I was tackling. I discovered that coaching could cover any topic (parenting, health, finances), not just work-related issues, and this benefitted me in various ways. I strongly recommend her services to anyone with many ideas but unsure of the right path and needing a professional coach.

Chizu provided one-on-one coaching to seven young leaders (alumni of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative) over a four-month period. The coachees reflections say it all: as one individual wrote, “Coaching with Chizu is one of the most meaningful experiences I’ve ever had.” Chizu’s coaching approach was grounded in empathy and thoughtful questioning. Whether her coachees sought guidance navigating a professional crossroads, clarifying their values, or making a major personal or professional decision, the coachees gained clarity and resilience through Chizu’s process. The coachees appreciated that she did not simply provide prescriptive answers: rather, she helped them arrive at their own realizations. She was able to quickly foster a safe and trusting environment for the young leaders, despite the challenges of building rapport over Zoom, and representing different nationalities and cultures. Finally, as the project coordinator, I can attest to Chizu’s professionalism and communication. I — and the young leaders that Chizu coached — highly recommend her!

When I first began coaching with Chizu, I experienced high levels of anxiety, confusion, and a sense of lack. Her guidance has been truly transformative in my personal growth journey. Through Chizu’s coaching, I realized that almost all of the answers to our challenges lie within us. Often, we know what we need and what must be done, but the noise of everyday life makes it easy to ignore or hide from our true selves. Chizu helped me navigate this, enabling me to confront my true self. I learned that without this self-confrontation, positive change is impossible. Chizu walked beside me on this difficult yet rewarding journey, offering courage and grace at every step. She is patient, kind, flexible, effortlessly adapted to my unique needs, and has immense knowledge, which were all paramount to my development. Moreover, beyond our sessions, Chizu recommended books perfectly aligned with the issues we discussed. These readings, combined with our discussions, profoundly shifted my previously narrow mindset. Implementing the lessons from both coaching and these books has allowed me to embrace gratitude and remain open to new opportunities. I have developed new habits that have brought more peace and harmony into my life, both with myself and others. I am incredibly grateful for Chizu’s time, effort, and deep understanding. She has helped me grow in ways I hadn’t thought possible. I urge you to give Chizu's coaching a genuine shot. Embark on your own journey of true realization and transformation—it is absolutely possible!

I decided to begin coaching as I was navigating the excitement of starting a new life while also facing challenges with a clear time limit. I was searching for a way to approach them with intention.

Over the course of six sessions in about six months, I found myself shifting focus—from the anxiety of an unclear future to grounding myself in how I take each step forward in the present.

With Chizu-san’s warm presence, I felt safe to share any emotion. Her insightful questions helped me draw out the answers from within myself each time.

I would highly recommend her coaching to anyone standing at the threshold of a new challenge, or to those who find themselves often looking outside for answers.

[Translated from the original Japanese]

I am truly grateful for the coaching sessions I had with Chizu. Over the year and a half of working together, I was able to reflect on my daily routine, achieve personal and professional goals, discover skills I never knew I had, and gain a deeper understanding of myself. Chizu created a safe and supportive space where I felt encouraged to open up and learned that it’s okay to ask for help when feeling down. These sessions have been truly life-changing, and I highly recommend Chizu to anyone seeking guidance and answers. P.S. Dear Chizu, thank you so much for this wonderful journey!!!!! :)

I would like to share my personal experience with professional coach, Ms. Chizu Matsushita, who provided a series of five leadership coaching sessions, and the impact it had on me was quite unique and helped me to see myself from a different perspective and gave a truly enlightening experience. Chizu possesses an extraordinary ability to delve into the nuances of leadership, tailoring each session to address my challenges, identify true life goals, and the insightful approach allowed me to explore my values, passions, and aspirations in a way that felt both liberating and empowering. From the outset, she was able to foster an environment where I felt both supported and challenged, a delicate balance that proved crucial in my personal and professional growth. Throughout the sessions, Chizu demonstrated unwavering professionalism and commitment to go above, providing additional resources, references to certain literature and guidance. I am very grateful to such dedication and patience, attention to details and invaluable guidance that was provided. This experience helped me to see myself of who I really am and the potential I have and what I can bring to others. I would highly recommend Chizu to anyone who still has not clarified their personal life mission and wants to understand what role they play and how to make the difference.

Coaching with Chizu is one of the most meaningful experiences I've ever had. Through 6 sessions, Chizu provided me with active listening and powerful questions that empowered me to develop self-leadership for my own professional growth. During the sessions, we had coaching conversations on topics such as empathetic leadership and how to develop a mentoring programme. I even asked Chizu: How do you ask empowering and inspiring questions like you do in coaching/mentoring conversations? How do you facilitate intensive discussions among many talented leaders within a limited time? Her rule is never to answer my questions directly! By listening deeply and asking empowering questions, in every coaching session with her, I found the way to answer those questions myself. Her empathy is truly impressive and strongly motivates me. I certainly recommend Chizu to others and would like to apply her coaching methodology with my mentees.

I signed up for this program hoping to improve my interpersonal and communication skills, not knowing that this program is more than that after more than 6 months with Coach Chizu my heart and my thoughts are different, I obviously have my moments but I for sure know that I am at peace talking to coach Chizu. I found Chizu's coaching helpful because she encouraged me to explore the voice within me. Each session contributes to the growth and shaping of the mindset of me as a person.

I had the great pleasure of receiving professional coaching support from Chizu for six months from October 2022 to April 2023. This was my first time working with a professional coach and I can honestly say that I could not have asked for a better experience! I was going through a very difficult career transition at the time and credit Chizu with providing me with the space to develop strategies to navigate the challenges I was facing. During our time together, I was able to unpack many of my personal beliefs about myself and my career , develop solutions to manage a demoralizing professional relationship, and come up with an action plan to propel career development forward. While I was not sure what to expect out of coaching and was skeptical of how self-directed it is, I've noticed a significant difference in how I approach work situations since my engagement with Chizu. Besides being a kind and gentle person, Chizu effortlessly creates a non-judgmental, open, and honest space to explore one's self and offers so much encouragement and positive reinforcement. I would strongly recommend her services to anyone in need of a professional coach and would be happy to speak about my experiences further to anyone that might be interested.

Ms Matsushita's coaching is characterised by a deep sense of understanding and clarity. It feels like having a conversation with yourself, where you unearth insights in your own words. This process allows you to fully grasp why you arrive at certain thoughts, making the experience deeply satisfying. This sense of clarity naturally facilitates taking the next steps, often leading to meaningful changes in actions after the coaching sessions. Her mentoring and mock interviews are equally impactful. She persistently points out tendencies and habits in your thinking and responses, even those you might not notice in just one session. This approach encourages reflection and improvement, making it possible to address and overcome areas where change may not have been achieved initially. This iterative process is a hallmark of Ms Matsushita's coaching and mentoring style. For anyone looking to advance their career or address challenges they’re currently facing, I highly recommend experiencing Ms Matsushita's coaching. It helps articulate the thoughts and feelings you carry within, paving the way for tangible actions and meaningful progress. [Translated from the original Japanese]

Before receiving coaching, I was worried about the direction of my career and sometimes felt anxious and under pressure. At such times, I received coaching from Mr. Chizu. During the coaching session, I was asked questions about my vague thoughts, passions, and goals, and by putting them into words, I was able to think more deeply. By broadening my horizons, I was able to clear up my doubts and my career direction became clearer than before. I was also very grateful for the positive words I received during coaching, and I realized the importance of having a positive image of my ideal state, which is what I want to be like and what kind of attitude I should take. I did. I hope to continue to put into practice the awareness I gained through coaching. [Translated from the original Japanese]

What I realized from coaching sessions is that through questions from a third party called the coach, I not only organize my thoughts from a different perspective, but also learn more about what I have achieved in each coaching session. By discussing whether I want to do this at the beginning of a session, I have become more conscious of understanding where I stand. Also, by thinking about how to put the learnings from the sessions into action, it was an opportunity for me to not just think about it, but to put it into practice. What I think has changed through the sessions is that I am now able to express my thoughts in words compared to before. Some people may think that's the case, but it's quite difficult to convey what you think to a third party, and for me, it's a big change. Chizu is a coach and facilitator who makes you feel safe and comfortable expressing your opinions. A session with Chizu is truly a process of discovering the voice within yourself. [Translated from the original Japanese]

I received coaching for career steps. My biggest accomplishment was being able to clarify my questions through Chizu-san's coaching. Once the questions were clarified, I was able to find concrete answers to why I wanted to do what I wanted to do and what I should do to achieve it, and my vague vision of the future became clear. [Translated from the original Japanese]

Chizu is a good coach, she introduced the true meaning of coaching and we worked together on the planned topics during the 4 sessions. She is flexible and understanding and very supportive person.