Young adults ages 18–25 and learners exploring who they are
SelfMap supports thoughtful self-reflection for people exploring their own ways of learning and acting in everyday life.
Product / Web Service
SelfMap
Trait-theory-based tool for self-reflection and micro-actions
MVP in Development (Launch planned: Late 2026)
Understand your tendencies, reflect on each day, and take a small step tomorrow. We are developing SelfMap as a web service that helps people explore their changing selves from multiple perspectives, without confining them to fixed labels.
Background & Target
Questioning rigid type-based assessments
We look beyond assumptions created by fixed personality categories and unsupported claims, focusing instead on the diversity of personal tendencies.
Multiple continuous dimensions, informed by trait theory
Drawing on psychological trait theory, we describe personal tendencies along multiple continuous dimensions. This is an approach to reflection, rather than a medical assessment.
Core Features & 6-Step Workflow
We are developing the MVP to support the following workflow, from AI-assisted reflection and feedback to suggestions for small actions you can try tomorrow.
Understand your traits
Use a multidimensional self-check to explore your tendencies along continuous dimensions.
Daily check-in
Record a short reflection at the end of each day, noting events, actions, and feelings.
AI-Powered Reflection & Pattern Extraction
Organizes unstructured daily logs to identify cognitive tendencies and recurring behavior patterns in a structured, reflective manner.
Feedback
We are designing feedback that offers constructive, positive observations without assigning fixed labels.
Micro-actions
We are developing suggestions for small actions you can try tomorrow, informed by your reflections.
Reflect and build a record
Build a history of reflections and visualize changes over time to support ongoing self-understanding.
Screens in Development
Explore how SelfMap connects daily reflection, small actions, and ongoing self-understanding.
These are UI mockups in development. Screens and features may change before release. The sample screens are shown in Japanese.
Scroll horizontally to explore all five screens.
Technology & Architecture
We plan to use Anthropic’s inference models (Claude API) in SelfMap’s backend to interpret subtle contexts and emotional nuances in unstructured reflections. Combined with trait-theory-guided prompts, the design aims to provide structured, non-judgmental feedback.
Data protection remains a design policy during MVP development. We prioritize encrypted communication and data minimization, and plan to process reflections with external AI only as needed for analysis and under each provider’s privacy terms. Our design prohibits unauthorized use of input for external model training; protection mechanisms are planned for implementation and validation.
- Daily Reflection Log
- Trait Framework × Claude API Engine
- Structured Insights & Micro-actions
Research Foundations (In Development)
SelfMap aims to apply empirical psychological research to contemporary self-understanding tools. We reference the following theoretical frameworks as core academic foundations:
Trait Theory & Personality Psychology (Five-Factor Model)
Theoretical basis for describing personal cognitive and behavioral tendencies along continuous dimensions rather than rigid categories.
Stress & Coping Theory
Lazarus, R. S., & Folkman, S. (1984). Stress, appraisal, and coping. Springer Publishing Company.
Framework for cognitive appraisal of daily events and selecting constructive coping behaviors.
Self-Reflection & Insight Processes
Reference for distinguishing self-reflection from insight and recognizing that reflection does not necessarily lead to insight.
* SelfMap is not intended for medical care or psychological diagnosis. It references the above theoretical frameworks solely as a framework to support self-understanding and constructive reflection.
Safety, Ethics & Responsible AI
We are designing strictly non-medical use and safety measures aligned with Anthropic’s Usage Policy. The following describes our policies during MVP development; crisis redirection and data protection mechanisms are planned for implementation and validation.
Non-Medical Notice
No medical care, diagnosis, or treatment
SelfMap is a self-reflection tool that supports self-understanding. It does not provide medical care, diagnosis or treatment of mental health conditions, or professional counseling.
Crisis Redirection
Directing signs of crisis to professional support
We plan to implement guardrails that immediately stop ordinary LLM responses and display official professional support resources when free-text input is detected as indicating a potential crisis, including self-harm or suicidal ideation.
Data Privacy
Data use for the user’s own reflection
Our policy is to process input solely for the user’s own reflection analysis. This includes necessary external AI processing, while prohibiting disclosure to third parties for unrelated purposes, unauthorized sale, or use in training publicly available models.
Stay Updated / Product Updates
SelfMap is currently in MVP development. We have early testers lined up, and closed testing will begin once the MVP is ready. We will announce the start of closed-alpha testing, public updates, and development progress on our official X and note accounts. Follow the accounts below for announcements when testing begins.
Contact
For questions about SelfMap’s development or the service, please contact us at the email address below.
shigekiakiyama@kobo-shimazu.comPrivacy Policy & External AI Processing
Back to Kobo Shimazu →