After working on the different global stages, I arrived at the idea: “I want to help people who are facing difficulties” at the grassroots level

Creating a local hazard map at the Red Cross disaster prevention seminar in Osaka, early August 2019

From April 2019, 10 years after I joined the Japanese Red Cross Society, I engage in promoting the importance of “proactive preparedness” for disasters among the general public, and organize disaster prevention education seminars (known as Red Cross disaster prevention seminars) nationwide.

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, the Japanese archipelago is said to have entered a period of seismic activity, and there is a more than 70% chance that a major earthquake, such as a Nankai Trough earthquake or an earthquake directly under the capital, will occur within the next 30 years. In order to respond to such situations, we are expanding nationwide “self-help” activities to prepare ourselves before a disaster strikes as well as “mutual help” activities to prepare in cooperation with local residents.

My current work is directly related to “saving lives.” This offers me a great challenge.

Visit to orphanage in Malaysia. Presentation of commemorative gift to staff (center)

When working overseas, I think it is necessary to be able to speak out your opinion and assert Japan’s diplomatic position while respecting the culture and customs of others in a multinational and multicultural society. For me, “working globally” means working on global issues in a multinational team while maintaining such an attitude. I think there are two skills necessary to engage in global work: the “language skills” to be able to communicate your intentions clearly; and a correct historical understanding of your own country.

First, language skills, especially English skills, are essential. No need to say but it is English, not Japanese, that is the basic means of communication with non-Japanese people in Europe, the US, and Asian countries. You do not need to put emphasis on speaking fluent English, and even if you are not fluent, if you talk with substance, people will listen to you seriously. Advanced English writing skills are also essential for students who want to work for a global organization in the future.

In order to have a meaningful conversation, you need to be able to explain Japan, your own country, to others. While it is important to understand where current Japan stands diplomatically, it is more important to have a solid understanding of Japanese history, especially its modern history. In foreign countries, people often ask why Japan developed so rapidly since the end of World War II. It is because of the tireless efforts of the predecessors to build a modern country, especially after the Meiji Restoration.

On the other hand, before the war, Japan had a period of colonial rule over Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula, and during the Pacific War, Japan forced people in the Asia-Pacific region, which was the battlefield, to suffer from severe hardships. I would like you to have a humble attitude and correct historical understanding of the fact that we live in today after going through such a past history.