We sat down with Hiroto Suzuki, the founder of the “Arist” home tutoring service based in Chikushino City, Fukuoka Prefecture, to explore his passion as a personal coach and the story behind his service.
Drawing from his own learning experiences, Suzuki emphasizes the importance of conveying the “genuine joy of studying.”
Through a unique educational method that merges teaching and coaching, he enables children to take initiative in their learning journey and develop self-reliance.
In this interview, we delve into the origins of his service and his aspirations for the future.
Service Information
The Inspiration Behind “Arist” as a Personal Coaching Service
Can you briefly introduce yourself?
I’m Hiroto Suzuki, the founder of the personal coaching service “Arist.”
Here’s a question for you.
Did you know that most children today dislike studying?
But when children dislike studying, they may face challenges in securing their future livelihood.
Now imagine if there were a way for children to study enthusiastically on their own?
They’d develop habits and attitudes that will support them as they grow into capable adults.
My mission is to deliver this kind of authentic education.
What inspired you to start this service?
This service naturally evolved from my experience as a home tutor.
May I share a personal story?
Please go ahead!
When I was a second-year high school student, I was a science major but was failing physics and barely passing chemistry.
So, I decided to attend Yoyogi Seminar, where I learned from one of Japan’s top chemistry teachers. He made studying chemistry incredibly enjoyable and taught me that “real and meaningful learning is fun.”
He believed reducing studying to mere exam preparation was nonsensical.
I found myself so absorbed in his classes that I eventually pursued applied chemistry at university.
That experience led me to question the inefficiencies of school education and the lack of depth in exam-oriented learning.
By my second year in university, I dreamed of creating meaningful high schools and universities.
Even after joining the workforce as a custom home sales representative, that aspiration stayed with me.
However, I struggled in my role for 14 consecutive months with zero sales—quite the record, right?
Eventually, I committed myself to studying sales techniques, coaching, psychology, neuroscience, and memory strategies.
As a result, I achieved a top 20% ranking nationwide in sales, but what I truly enjoyed was the act of learning itself.
When I started tutoring as a side gig, I shared my excitement and discoveries with my students.
Seeing them respond enthusiastically motivated me further.
I combined the skills I honed in sales—coaching, study techniques, mindset building, and more—with tutoring.
Students not only enjoyed learning but also became independent.
Their parents were amazed, and that feedback led to the creation of this personal coaching service.
To summarize, why did you start this service?
- I wanted to address the discomfort I felt with Japan’s current approach to education.
- I aim to go beyond exams and rote learning to foster genuine learning skills that children can carry into adulthood.
Who Benefits from “Arist”?
What kind of clients typically use your service?
Many of our clients are families where both parents, especially mothers, are professionals running their own businesses.
They highly value education and believe that while academic achievement is important, it’s not enough.
These parents prioritize skills like passion, critical thinking, and independence.
However, their children often lack motivation for studying, taking their privileged environment for granted.
Busy parents sometimes struggle to engage deeply with their children, often resorting to brief instructions that leave little room for dialogue.
By stepping in as a mediator, I help bridge this gap, fostering better communication and encouraging children to keep their promises and work hard.
The Future of Teaching and Coaching
What are your future goals?
Very few people truly understand how to integrate coaching into education.
Even major tutoring companies often equate coaching with superficial motivation techniques, which can feel dubious.
My goal is to create an educational program that trains “Teaching Coaches” capable of combining:
- Exam preparation and general knowledge
- Coaching techniques
- Parent-child counseling
- Science-backed study methods
- AI and online learning customization
I want to popularize the idea that tutoring should equal “Teaching Coaching” and raise Japan’s educational standards.
Ultimately, I hope to create a system that leverages Japan’s traditions and culture to lead globally.
What does “Arist” mean to you?
t’s the only service in modern Japan that empowers children with the authentic life skills they need through the lens of exams.
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story and vision!