About us

Guardian’s goal is to realize a society where children can live with peace of mind.

As a company we value diversity, and as such are contributing to the realization of a society that is tolerant of individuality. Guardian understands that it is important to accept diversity and inclusiveness, as there are many different people in the world, with different upbringings and unique cultures. By working together, we can create a society where children from diverse backgrounds are respected, and can thrive in a comfortable environment despite their differences.

We have developed our SOS communication support system for children placing great importance on the child’s perspective, with the stance that the child is our priority. In order to create a society where children, as well as adults, feel comfortable enough to speak up in the face of adversity, we are providing a diversity and inclusion workshop series in English. In order to feel comfortable confronting, and potentially eliminating issues, we believe it is important to provide opportunities to discuss root causes of issues such as bullying, which are often caused by lack of understanding.

Company profile

Company name

Guardian Inc.

Address

33-16 Yoshidatachibanacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan 606-8303

Representative director

Caitlin Erin Puzzar

Business activities

Educational support, development & provision of IT services, human resources development support, regional revitalisation projects, consulting etc.

Capital

6.75 million yen

Established

1st December 2022

Meet our team

- Founders -

Co-founder & Representative director/CEO
Caitlin Puzzar

Graduated from Keele University, England (BA Criminology & competency in Japanese) in 2016.
After graduation, she worked as an assistant language teacher (ALT) at elementary and junior high schools in Kumamoto City. While working with children, she became increasingly aware of bullying and abuse issues, and decided to protect children’s lives. She developed an app that enables early detection of problems, kimino micata, and established Guardian Inc. in 2022. After participating in the Phoenixi Inc. incubation programme, she is currently working on expanding the business.

Co-founder
Hiromi Murakami

She has used her former skills as a system engineer in order to realize Caitlin’s idea and co-develop the kimino micata system. She is president and founder of the Japan Institute for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship (JSIE), an NPO located in Washington D.C. and Tokyo, which is dedicated to supporting the active participation of young people and women in society. She is a senior fellow at the Economic Strategy Institute (ESI) in Washington D.C., and an academic fellow of the Health and Global Policy Institute in Japan, specializing health policy and international relations.

取締役・COO 村上 博美 Hiromi Murakami

- Board of Directors -

CFO
Masanori Tada, MBA

Founder of Nippon Implant Ltd.; Previously President of OCA Japan Inc, CEO of HBOC and VP of Chessman-Well Inc, USA.
Graduate of University of Washington (BA), Kyoto University (MBA)

CTO
Yugo Morimura

Began programming at 15 years old. Worked as a spot engineer for more than 10 IT companies during university; founded dotStar Inc. in July 2017.

- Advisors -

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Public Relations Advisor
Reiko Nagai
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Legal Advisor
Shiki Tomimasu
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Psychology Advisor
Tomoya Mukai
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Criminology Advisor
Ikuo Aizawa

History

2020
January

Start of system development

2021
February

First demonstration tests started at elementary and junior high schools in Kumamoto City

October

Nominated in the British Chamber of Commerce (BCCJ) British Business Awards 2021 - Diversity Equity and Inclusion

2022
February

Second demonstration tests started at elementary and junior high schools in Kumamoto City

May

Awarded the Smart City Promotion Start-up Support Grant (Kyoto)

June

Held first diversity and inclusion workshop (co-hosted by JSIE)

October

Nominated in the British Chamber of Commerce (BCCJ) British Business Awards 2022 - Caitlin for Study UK Alumni of the year, system for Diversity Equity and Inclusion

November

Caitlin selected as a Cohort 7 member of the Phoenixi Inc. incubation programme

December

Guardian Inc. established

2023
February

Child SOS support system name launch - kimino micata

July

Accepted into the “2023 Project for solving social issues through start-ups” (Kyoto City/Kyoto Institute of Advanced Technology)

December

Patent granted #7398813

2024
May

BS Asahi program onair