Profile of the Representative

Encounters with people can change a life.

As a child, I was shy and did not like being in front of others.

What changed me was Awa Odori, which I started with classmates at our local shopping street in elementary school. We practiced together during school breaks, pushing each other on and dancing with all our hearts. Later I also joined the Koenji Awa Odori festival, and little by little my fear of performing in front of people faded and I began to believe in myself. The joy of working toward one goal with friends, the fun of steady effort, and the discovery of potential in myself I had never noticed before.

Feeling myself change little by little over the years through this experience is where I come from today.

What I learned from challenges and setbacks

After that, I worked for a company for about 30 years. I came to work in accounting after I tracked down the cause of a fraud that had occurred within the company. Although I was chosen to be in charge of accounting, I started with no knowledge of bookkeeping at all. I worked on weekdays and went to bookkeeping school on weekends alongside students, and with the kind and careful guidance of my teacher, I earned the Grade 3 bookkeeping certificate from the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry after two years of study.

On the other hand, once I was in a position to develop my own staff, I ran into many walls. Because of my own efforts, I found myself unconsciously expecting the same attitude from others. Working hard at your job and helping people grow are not necessarily the same thing. Feeling that difficulty keenly became a major turning point for me to rethink my values and the way I relate to people.

Toward teaching that believes in people’s potential

In 2018, I became a nationally certified career consultant. Through in-person lectures and many role-plays while studying for the qualification, I learned the importance of listening carefully to others and respecting each person’s values and individuality.

This learning also brought a great change to the taiko teaching I had been doing for many years. After starting work, I encountered taiko through the Bon Odori dance in front of Sugamo Station and studied under Ichiro Ishiko, the leader of Wadaiko Hama. In 2005 I became a founding member of Wadaiko Hama, and since then I have taken part in a wide range of activities, including performances in Japan and abroad, corporate events, school performances and media appearances.

For about 20 years I have also taught taiko to people of all generations, from 4 to 80 years old, including children with intellectual disabilities.

What I value in teaching is not a one-size-fits-all method, but staying close to each person’s individuality and pace of growth. I try not only to pass on technique but to draw out the potential each person has. And even as a teacher, I learn a great deal from my students, and I keep learning through my relationships with people.

Carrying experience into the future

Today, as the representative of MJ Kikaku, I work to share Japanese culture in Japan and abroad and to create new possibilities through developing people. I also continue to teach and perform with Wadaiko Hama, and serve as a councilor of the Japan Taiko Association.

What I have learned through my experience is that people can change through encounters and experiences, and that each person’s potential is different.

With this in mind, I hope to keep connecting people and culture and creating opportunities for new challenges and growth.