Mr. Koichi Iwasawa
Mr. Koichi Iwasawa is the CEO of Key Message International. From a journalism background, Mr. Iwasawa has extensive experience in communication and public relations, and around 16 years of experience working internationally and interculturally in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
“Contrary to communicating in English, I think that using these other languages (the main language of the country I was posted to or the organization I belonged to) helped me to gain the respect and trust of my colleagues and business partners.”
– Mr. Koichi Iwasawa
“In this field, there are certainly guiding materials such as culture maps, but I think it is important to look at various differences, such as individual differences, social differences, language differences, gender differences, and job position differences, in a complex and comprehensive manner.”
Interview with Mr. Koichi Iwasawa conducted on December 15, 2024.
Ambassador Yasushi Sato
Ambassador Sato has worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan for 40 years, spending 23 years in overseas posts. He is currently the Japanese Ambassador to Venezuela.
“I think that flexible thinking and being able to accept change more readily, (…) having a broader range, is important.”
– Ambassador sato
“I definitely recommend that first of all, even if it’s just for a short while, you just go and see the world.”
Interview with Ambassador Sato conducted on January 20, 2025. Edited for publication.
Mr. Kitamura (pseudonym)
Mr. Kitamura worked in business operations (technology, automation, sales, management) for over 30 years.
“That’s what effective business communication is – can you explain how you came to a conclusion logically?”
– MR. KITAMURA
“What is the definition of global jinzai? (…) Good presentation skills, good English. Businesses only emphasize skills, and they say that you should improve those skills, like presentation skills or English. But that’s not it; those are skills, not the goal of becoming global jinzai.”
Interview with Mr. Kitamura conducted on October 9, 2024. Edited for publication.
Prof. Yuichi Nakagaichi
Professor Yuichi Nakagaichi is a former volleyball coach and player, and Appointed Professor at Fukui University of Technology
“Learning English is the start.”
– Prof. Yuichi Nakagaichi
“As people, mentally, they grow. I still believe that.”
Interview with Prof. Yuichi Nakagaichi conducted on May 31, 2024. Redacted for publication.
Dr. Chiaki Mukai
Dr. Chiaki Mukai is an astronaut, physician, and Specially Appointed Vice President at Tokyo University of Science
“You cannot learn from the same idea. You can only learn something new from a different idea.”
– Dr. Chiaki Mukai
“No matter what the language is, no matter what the culture is, the strategy for science communication is ‘the simpler, the better’.”
Interview with Dr. Chiaki Mukai conducted on December 1, 2023. Redacted and partially translated for publication.
Interviews may be reproduced solely for educational purposes, not for commercial purposes.