{"id":25,"date":"2024-02-08T14:40:33","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T05:40:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wps.itc.kansai-u.ac.jp\/ashofmeyr\/?page_id=25"},"modified":"2026-03-09T13:13:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T04:13:22","slug":"interviews","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wps.itc.kansai-u.ac.jp\/ashofmeyr\/interviews\/","title":{"rendered":"Interviews"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

All interviews have been edited for publication. Interviews may be reproduced solely for educational purposes, not for commercial purposes. <\/mark><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Masato Suzuki (Music)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Conductor Masato Suzuki has a background in both Japanese and Dutch culture. Having living and worked across cultures his whole life, he has also conducted and performed with orchestras around the world, including in Europe, Asia, and the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Mr. Masato Suzuki (English)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Interview with Mr. Masato Suzuki (Japanese)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“When a setting is not very international or lacks a foundation for accepting different cultures, things can sometimes not go as smoothly.“<\/mark><\/strong>

“I believe that intercultural understanding is exactly like music itself. (\u2026) If you list out what it truly means to understand, there are many elements involved. In that sense, I feel that understanding another culture is quite similar.”<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>– Conductor Masato Suzuki<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Daisuke Takahashi<\/strong> (Sports)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Daisuke Takahashi is a renowned figure skater and ice show producer. With an international career spanning over 30 years, Mr. Takahashi is an Olympic bronze medalist, World champion, Grand Prix Final champion, Four Continents champion, and five-time Japanese national champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Daisuke Takahashi (English)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Interview with Daisuke Takahashi (Japanese)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“Failure isn\u2019t really failure; it\u2019s experience. (…) I believe the worst kind of education is when the people around you treat failure as something unacceptable.“<\/mark><\/strong>

“To build and expand global communities like that, I really hope Japan will improve education and cultural literacy from a young age.”<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>– MR. Daisuke Takahashi<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

JUNKO KOSHINO<\/strong> (Fashion and Design)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Junko Koshino is an artist and fashion design icon, known for her participation in the Paris Fashion Week for over 22 years, fashion exhibits all over the world, and for her costume designs for operas, musicals, and the World Expos of 1970 and 2025 in Osaka, Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Ms. Junko Koshino (English)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Interview with Ms. Junko Koshino (Japanese)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“Fashion has no nationality. No matter which country it comes from, it\u2019s about sensibility and beauty. It doesn\u2019t depend on the specific characteristics of a particular country. It\u2019s about the people.“<\/mark><\/strong>

“The character for \u201cdelicious\u201d in Japanese (\u7f8e\u5473\u3057\u3044) literally means \u201cbeautiful taste.\u201d So, we eat with our eyes as well. Japanese beauty is not just about satisfying hunger; it\u2019s about enjoying a meal beautifully, including the presentation, the utensils, and the overall experience. That is what makes it truly delicious.”<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>– MS. JUNKO KOSHINO<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Yumi Arimura<\/strong> (Hospitality)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ms. Yumi Arimura is the CEO of ryokan Ayu-no-Sato, in Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture. With an undergraduate degree in accounting from the U.S., Ms. Arimura has dedicated herself to hiring workers from diverse cultural backgrounds to work in a traditional inn, an innovative initiative in Japan. Ryokan Ayu-no-Sato employed over 22 people from 8 different countries at the time of this interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Ms. Yumi Arimura (English)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Interview with Ms. Yumi Arimura (Japanese)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“It doesn\u2019t matter if you\u2019re Japanese or international staff, but you need to have lots of communication (…) so that we have less mistakes and less misunderstandings, and to become a better organization. So good relationships equal good communication. A lot of communication.“<\/mark><\/strong>

“Accept other cultures, accept the people there, and learn, and be flexible.”<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>– MS.YUMI ARIMURA<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mariko Oi<\/strong> (Journalism)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ms. Mariko Oi is the first and only Japanese speaking on-air reporter for the BBC. With a career in journalism spanning over 20 years, Ms. Oi has covered major events for the BBC including the 2011 T\u014dhoku earthquake and tsunami, the Tokyo Olympics, and Shinzo Abe\u2019s assassination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Ms. Mariko Oi (English)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Interview with Ms. Mariko Oi (Japanese)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“I would encourage students to go abroad, even for a short while, just to get out of your comfort zone, because I think that\u2019s something that you would have to experience in your professional life anyway, so the younger you experience it, the better.“<\/mark><\/strong>

“As long as you have something to say that people want to listen to, then it doesn\u2019t matter whether your English is perfect. That\u2019s the mentality that I think is quite important for Japanese students.”<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>– MS. Mariko Oi<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Emi Takemura<\/strong> (Business \/ Education)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ms. Emi Takemura is Representative Director at Learn by Creation and at FutureEdu, and a Co-founder and Advisor of Peatix.com. Having previously worked at various international companies such as Amazon and Disney, Ms. Takemura also focuses on education by advocating for more creative learning environments, where students can develop a sense of purpose and self-efficacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Ms. Emi Takemura (English)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Interview with Ms. Emi Takemura (Japanese)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“I felt that the make-or-break factor of somebody actually acquiring culture and language after a year or not hinged upon grit. (…) It’s surprising how natural ability is not the determinant of success when it comes to international communication.“<\/mark><\/strong>

“Every mistake is a learning opportunity.”<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>– MS. Emi Takemura<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koichi Iwasawa<\/strong> (Business)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Mr. Koichi Iwasawa (English)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Interview with Mr. Koichi Iwasawa (Japanese)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“Contrary to communicating in English, I think that using these other languages \u200b\u200b(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.”

“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.”<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>– Mr. Koichi Iwasawa<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ambassador Yasushi Sato<\/strong> (Diplomacy)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Ambassador Sato (English)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Interview with Ambassador Sato (Japanese)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“I think that flexible thinking and being able to accept change more readily, (…) having a broader range, is important.”

“I definitely recommend that first of all, even if it\u2019s just for a short while, you just go and see the world.”<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>– Ambassador sato<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zenji Kitamura [pseudonym<\/strong>] (Business)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mr. Kitamura worked in business operations (technology, automation, sales, management) for over 30 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Mr. Kitamura (English)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Interview with Mr. Kitamura (Japanese)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“That\u2019s what effective business communication is – can you explain how you came to a conclusion logically?”

“What is the definition of global jinzai? (\u2026) 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\u2019s not it; those are skills, not the goal of becoming global jinzai<\/em>.”<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>– MR. KITAMURA<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yuichi Nakagaichi<\/strong> (Sports)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Professor Yuichi Nakagaichi is a former volleyball coach and player, and Appointed Professor at Fukui University of Technology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Prof. Yuichi Nakagaichi (English)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Interview with Prof. Yuichi Nakagaichi (Japanese)<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“Learning English is the start.”

“As people, mentally, they grow. I still believe that.”<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>– Prof. Yuichi Nakagaichi<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chiaki Mukai (STEM)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Chiaki Mukai is an astronaut, physician, and Specially Appointed Vice President at Tokyo University of Science<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interview with Dr. Chiaki Mukai<\/kbd><\/strong><\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“You cannot learn from the same idea. You can only learn something new from a different idea.”<\/mark>

“No matter what the language is, no matter what the culture is, the strategy for science communication is ‘the simpler, the better’.”<\/mark><\/strong><\/p>– Dr. Chiaki Mukai<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

All interviews have been edited for publication. Interviews may be reproduced solely for educational purposes, not for commercial purposes. Masato Suzuki (Music) Conductor Masato Suzuki has a background in both Japanese and Dutch culture. Having living and worked across cultures his whole life, he has also conducted and performed with orchestras around the world, including […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":317,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-25","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wps.itc.kansai-u.ac.jp\/ashofmeyr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wps.itc.kansai-u.ac.jp\/ashofmeyr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wps.itc.kansai-u.ac.jp\/ashofmeyr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wps.itc.kansai-u.ac.jp\/ashofmeyr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/317"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wps.itc.kansai-u.ac.jp\/ashofmeyr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25"}],"version-history":[{"count":58,"href":"https:\/\/wps.itc.kansai-u.ac.jp\/ashofmeyr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":357,"href":"https:\/\/wps.itc.kansai-u.ac.jp\/ashofmeyr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions\/357"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wps.itc.kansai-u.ac.jp\/ashofmeyr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}