Stories; Students, Faculty, Alumni
*Positions and years are those at the time of interview.
Striving to Cultivate Individuals Who Can Respect Different Values and Cultures
So OtaSo Ota,
Teacher at Emmanuel College, Australia
March 2012 B.A. (Major: Media, Communication & Culture, Minor: Language Education), ICU College of Liberal Arts, Division of Arts and Sciences
An encounter with liberal arts brings unexpected personal growth and transformation, along with the opportunity to enjoy the future.
Arika Shiga,
Director, Obuse Town Library Machi Tosho Terrasow
September 2016 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Major: Sociology, Minor: Japanese Studies
How ICU’s Challenge-Embracing Mindset Shaped My Career Journey
OH, Jun young ,
ohora Japan country manager
2015 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Major in Physics)
Encountering the Liberal Arts — Opportunities for Unexpected Personal Change, Growth, and Enjoying the Future
Takaaki Inokuchi ,
Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Project Manager
2007 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Social Sciences)
Why I chose a space-related job
Saori Watanabe,
Flight Director (J-FLIGHT), Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Major in Physics), ICU College of Liberal Arts, Division of Arts and Sciences, March 2018
[Series: Studying Abroad × Liberal Arts Part Three]
Looking Resolutely Toward a Future Researching on Nuclear Issues at an Overseas Graduate School
Yumi Sato,
College of Liberal Arts, Thrid-Year student (At the Time of Interview)
Major in Major in Peace Studies
Applying ICU's Japanese Language and English Literature Learnings to Shape a Career in Words
Heidi Karino,
Founder & CEO, Fermenstation Co., Ltd.
1995 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (International Relations)
Kaori Shimazaki's Entrepreneurial Journey
Kaori Shimazaki,
CEO, SAKE Generation, Inc.
2000 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Social Sciences)
In Pursuit of “My Passion” and “Making the World a Better Place” -- Discovery of the World of Fermentation
Lina Sakai,
Founder & CEO, Fermenstation Co., Ltd.
1995 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (International Relations)
Going to ICU is Connected to Why I Work as a Conductor
Yoshihiro Hanaoka,
Conductor
Graduated from ICU College of Liberal Arts, Division of Humanities (then) in March 2002
JLP Students' Voices
Saaya Thompson
Robbie Peng
Yutaka Krawehl
Siena Daly
(Second-year student in the College of Liberal Arts)
[Series: Studying Abroad × Liberal Arts Part Two]
Moving Beyond a Comparison of Two Nations and Towards a Nuclear Dialogue on a Global Stage
Yumi Sato,
College of Liberal Arts, Thrid-Year student (At the Time of Interview)
Major in Major in Peace Studies
Enjoying Japanese art in the world with ICU's open-mind approach
Koto Sadamura,
Curator of the Israel Goldman Collection
Visiting Researcher in the Department of Asia, British Museum
Graduated from the ICU College of Liberal Arts, June 2005
[Series: Studying Abroad × Liberal Arts Part One]
Peace Research through a Comparison with Japan
Yumi Sato,
College of Liberal Arts, Thrid-Year student (At the Time of Interview)
Major in Major in Peace Studies
Asking about the waste we throw away each day could bring hidden issues to light.
Momona Otsuka ,
Chief Environmental Officer,
BIG EYE COMPANY Co.,Ltd
Kami Katsu Zero Waste Center
2020 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Major:Public Policy, Minor:Environmental Studies)
I want you to have confidence you can change the world.
Keisuke Hanyuda,
Managing Director & CEO, Owls Consulting Group, Inc.
2000 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Social Sciences)
Seeking to Unravel the Mysteries of the Genes that Control Aging and Longevity to Support Human Health
Ayane Maruichi, PhD candidate in Endocrinology (G3), University of California, Berkeley
B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Major in Biology), ICU College of Liberal Arts Division of Arts and Sciences, March 2020
M.A. in Natural Sciences (5-year Program), ICU, March 2021
Encountering the Path of Research in the Liberal Arts
MayakoShibagaki,
Master’s Program (Second Year Graduate Student), Harvard University
BA, ICU, June 2020
The liberal arts continue to impact my work
Matthias Schepers,
President and Representative Director of Volkswagen Group Japan and Brand Director of Audi Japan
1997 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (International Relations)
My ICU Life
Saika Stevens, 4th year student, the College of Liberal Arts (as of March, 2022)
Major: International Relations&Biology
How the Free Academic Environment at ICU Helped Me Find My Authentic Self
Mari Niwa
2005 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Science)
Cofounder and CHO (Chief Happiness Officer) Ideal Leaders Co., Ltd.
The “Sense of Appreciation” Born of a Liberal Arts Education Will Lead to World Peace
Tamami Hotsuki
2003 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (International Relations)
Executive Officer, NPO MIRATUKU
Finding my focus through an online summer experience
Leela Yamamoto , Second Year
to Global ICU Web site
When Faced with Difficulties—— Path Shown by the Participation in Online Study Abroad Program
Rika Asakura, Second Year
to Global ICU Web site
Critical Thinking and Liberal Arts Lay the Foundations for Tackling Complex Environmental Problems and Sustainability Challenges
TOBAI. Sadayosi
1990 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Biology)
Chief Executive Officer, WWF Japan
Message for Prospective Students
"To be a genetic counselor to serve as a mediator between medical professionals and the public."
IKEDA, Mone, 4th year student, the College of Liberal Arts (as of February, 2021)
Major: Biology
Message for Prospective Students
"To those wondering whether they should study in the U.S. or Japan"
IWASAKI, Ayako, 4th year student, the College of Liberal Arts (as of March, 2021)
From the U.S.
Major: Media, Communication and Culture
Minor: Law
Creating a Society Where Left-Behind Children Can Move Forward in Life
Mio Kojima
2006 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (International Relations)
Executive Director, AIDS Orphan Support NGO PLAS
Weaving Local History and Culture into Cuisine, an Approach Nurtured by ICU's Liberal Arts Education
Yutaka Kitazaki
1996 B.A., Arts and Sciences (Humanities)
Executive Chef and Food Creator, Culinary Operations, Jiyujin Inc.
“Ability to think by yourself” “Ability to find problems and solve them” Nurture the skills and mindset required to operate successfully in any environment.
Daniel Silva
2010 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (International Relations)
T&C Strategy & Operations Manager, Amazon Web Services, Inc.
Bringing Japanese animation to a global audience using a solid foundation of skills cultivated at ICU
Akane Hagino
2003 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Languages)
Sunrise Inc. Deputy General Manager, New Office Relocation Project, Administration Division
Acknowledge diversity and take a step back to survey the whole scene
Misaki N. Natsuaki, Ph.D.
1998 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Education)
2001 M.A. in ICU Graduate School of Education
Associate Professor, University of California, Riverside
Amount of Effort I Made, Learnt the Joy of Studying Environmental Science
Ryota Sato, Forth year
Major in Biology, minor in Environmental Studies
Developing a Plan for ICU's Senior Thesis through Study Abroad in the STEM Field
Manae Takahashi , Forth year
Major in Biology, minor in Psychology
A tireless devotion to international cooperation
Harumi Kodama
1992 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Social Sciences)
1994 M.A. in ICU Graduate School of Public Administration
Representative, Japanese Representative Office, Asian Development Bank
Desire to convey Japan’s charm to the world through daikagura
Michiyo Kagami
2000 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Social Sciences)
Daikagura performer
Learn values not influenced by any country
Lee Utsumi
1986 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (humanities)
Owner of Lee's Bread @ Oiso Kanagawa Prefecture
Creating business where “aspiration” and “will” can shine
Hideki Fukamachi
2003 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (International Studies)
CEO, GEMSTONE Inc. / Business Producer and Management Coach,
Developing ability to pursue research in the real world where there is no dichotomy between arts and sciences
Yasu Morita
1992 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Biology)
Associate Professor, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Continuously taking on the challenge to see how far I can go in a global business
Kazumi Noyama
2006 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Social Sciences)
Store manager, IKEA Japan K.K.
For a future where everyone can fully utilize his/her own genetic information
Tomohiro Takano
2011 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Social Sciences)
2013 M.A. in ICU Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Public Economics in Public Policy and Social Research Program)
Co-Founder & CEO, AWAKENS, Inc.
The OriHime business requires knowledge in both the arts and sciences
Aki Yuki
2012 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (major in economics)
Co-founder, COO of Ory Lab Inc.
Developing useful English language skills
Akiko Fujii
Associate Professor (Major: language education)
It’s important to take action yourself if you disagree with something
Yukiko Muto
1998 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Social Sciences)
Executive Officer of Uber Japan, Co., Ltd. President of Uber Eats, Japan
What are abilities unique to humans that AI does not have?
Anri Morimoto
Vice President for Academic Affairs (Majors: Philosophy, Religious studies)
Elevate our humanity with advanced digital technology
Nobutaka (Nobu) Ide
1993 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Social Sciences)
1995 M.A. in ICU Graduate School of Public Administration
President & CEO Wacom Co. Ltd., Japan
To solve the unsolved mysteries of the universe
Kazuhiro Sekiguchi
1981 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Physics)
Professor, Division of Optical and Infrared Astronomy, National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
There are numerous worlds out there that I don’t know yet
Tomohiro Tanaka, Fourth Year
Major in Literature
Expand My Own World and Possibilities
Yuriko Suzuki, Fourth Year
Major in Psychology
Alumna Interview
Naoe Yakiya,
1996 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (International Relations)
Director, UN WFP Japan Relations Office
Alumnus Interview
Tobias Stahl,
1997 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (International Relations）
Localization Division at Square Enix Co., Ltd.
Financial industries at a turning point amid the widespread application of IT
Takuya Kaneko
Associate Professor (Majors: Business and Development Studies)
Power balance in East Asia -China's thoughts and actions-
Stephen R. Nagy
Senior Associate Professor (Majors: Public Policy, International Relations, Politics and Asian Studies)
Alumnus Interview
Kazunari Ogura,
1996 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Humanities)
Director, Hachinohe Family Clinic
Alumnus Interview
Matthew Berzins,
2009 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Languages)
Supply Chain & Procurement division, en world Japan K. K.
Alumnus Interview
Yusuke Yasuda,
2008 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (International Studies)
Representative, Kizuki Group (Kizuki Co., Ltd., and NPO Kizuki)
Alumna Interview
Yoko Narahashi,
1969 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Languages)
Director, lyricist, Casting Director, representative of the UPS ACADEMY, which nurtures actors for the global stage
Alumna Interview
Tania Kadokura ,
1989 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Languages)
Culinary Specialist
Alumnus Interview
Andrew Neuman,
Came to ICU from UC Davis in 1984 as an international exchange student to study for one year
Cognizant Japan KK, Project Manager
Round-Table Talk with ICU Alumni Working for Google Japan LLC (2/2)
Momoko Fukuyo
Mark Ryo Shillaw
Mauricio Jose Carlos Guerrero
Round-Table Talk with ICU Alumni Working for Google Japan LLC (1/2)
Momoko Fukuyo
Mark Ryo Shillaw
Mauricio Jose Carlos Guerrero
You will discover the real value of International Exchange Program later
Shiori Ono, Fourth year
Major in International Relations
Overseas study opens the way for the future
Kosuke Baba, Fourth year
Major in Economics
Alumna Interview
Sakura Shishika,
2008 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Education)
Flight Operations, Boeing 737 Flight Crew Office, First Officer Japan Airlines Co. Ltd.
Alumnus Interview
Junichiro Kosaka,
1994 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Social Sciences)
1996 M.A. in ICU Graduate School of Public Administration
Senior Liaison Associate, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representation in Japan
Building the foundation for studying at ICU
Manami Takimoto, Third year
Major in Economics
Alumna Interview
Keiko Sugimoto,
1993 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Natural Sciences)
Team Leader of Cell Function Research Team at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science
ELA opens the door to various majors
Ryotaro Miura, Third year
Major in Information Science and Economics (Double Major)
First step toward becoming a "trustworthy global citizen"
Takeshi Yoshihara, Third year
Major in Business
Professional works supported by trust and ethics will increase in an advanced capitalist society
Katsuhito Iwai
ICU Visiting Professor
Economics Major
Alumna Interview
Sachiko Kusukawa , Class of 1986
Division of Humanities
Honorary Professor in History of Science at the University of Cambridge
Hoping to improve education for visually challenged in the Philippines
Yukari Ishida, Class of 2014
Major in Development Studies
NPO Free the Children Japan (FTCJ)
Alumnus Interview
Koji Tokumasu, Class of 1974
Division of Education
President of Asia Rugby
Alumna Interview
Yoshimi Horiuchi, Class of 2007
Division of Languages
Director, Always Reading Caravan Association (NGO in Thailand)
Alumnus Interview
Motohide Yoshikawa, Class of 1974
Division of Social Sciences
H.E. Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
Alumnus Interview
Kazuo Hirai , Class of 1984
Division of Social Sciences
Representative Corporate Executive Officer, President and CEO of Sony Corporation
Student dorms that embarace diversity are where many strangers meet and dialogues are born.
Oriza Hirata, Class of 1986
Division of Humanities
Playwright and Director
New Landscapes Glimpsed from a Place Where Literature and Physics Meet
Shinano Angevine (Second year) × Christopher E. J., Simons (Senior Associate Professor)
to Global ICU Web site
Learning should be a pleasure, not a chore
Shiho Hatanaka (Third year) × Beverley F. M. Curran (Professor)
to Global ICU Web site
I as a teacher，I as a learner, I as a researcher, and I as an entertainer.
Keita Ishii (Third year) × Yasuyo Moriya (Professor)
to Global ICU Web site
Studying natural sciences as a part of liberal arts education
Hiroaki Kitano (Alumnus, President & CEO of Sony Computer Science Laboratories, Inc.) × Ayako Kuroda (Master's Student) × Tsuyoshi Mizoguchi (Professor)
to Global ICU Web site
Making the Most of College Life
Ken Kuroki, Fourth year
Major in Biology, minor in Mathematics
Taking a step toward my dream
Momonari Kodama, Fourth year
Major in Linguistics
Finding a new identity through dorm life
Shota Kurebayashi, Third year
Major in International Relations, minor in Environmental Studies
Ties that will stay for life beyond generations
Shiho Hatanaka, Third year
Major in Media, Communication and Culture
Dorm Life is a Treasure of Lifetime
Tori Honma, Third year
Major in Education
Study abroad program attractive to students majoring in sciences
Shizuka Takeyama, Fourth year
Major in Biology
「Various Colors of ICU (short ver.)」
Various Colors of ICU (short ver.)
My ICU Life
Saika Stevens 4th year student, the College of Liberal Arts (as of March, 2022)
Major: International Relations&Biology
Message for Prospective Students
"To be a genetic counselor to serve as a mediator between medical professionals and the public."
IKEDA, Mone 4th year student, the College of Liberal Arts (as of February, 2021)
Major: Biology
Message for Prospective Students
"To those wondering whether they should study in the U.S. or Japan"
IWASAKI, Ayako 4th year student, the College of Liberal Arts (as of March, 2021)
From the U.S.
Major: Media, Communication and Culture
Minor: Law
Message for Prospective Students
Shrestha Juni Fourth Year
Message for Prospective Students
Uroosa Mahmood Third Year
Message for Prospective Students
Camaryn Yokota Fourth Year
Message for Prospective Students
Yusuke Yamagami Fourth Year
Message for Prospective Students
Bibai Naritomi
Fourth Year
Message for Prospective Students
Hairston Chalissa First Year
Message for Prospective Students
Hideyuki Karei Fourth Year
Message for Prospective Students
Priscilla Balona
Fourth year
Message for Prospective Students
Hanami Takahashi Fourth Year
Alumnus Interview
Kazunari Ogura
1996 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Humanities)
Director, Hachinohe Family Clinic
A wide range of medical care for all genders, ages and organs
I am running a clinic as a family physician in my hometown of Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, though the concept of family physician is not yet common in Japan. A family physician provides a wide range of medical care to patients and local residents for their health problems regardless of their gender, age and organ of concern, and I take care of all general ailments from internal medicine and pediatrics to middle ear infection, minor injuries, and even mental diseases such as depression and dementia. In between the outpatient hours in the morning and afternoon, I visit patients at their homes once or twice a month according to a plan and see them on request if they suddenly feel sick.
Encounter with family medicine
When I was a 1st year student at ICU, I participated in the Study English Abroad (SEA) Program. I lived in a student dorm of the University of Victoria in Canada and took classes in the morning and did voluntary work at an old-age home in the afternoon. I made friends with a local medical student doing voluntary work and asked her about one of my family members who became ill at that time: "When a person is sick both physically and mentally and suffering from multiple physical illnesses, he has to consult with specialists for each disease and visit a psychiatry department for mental problems. What can we do in such a situation?" She then told me that we should consult with a family physician in such a case, and this is when I learned about family physician for the first time. As we spoke more, I learned that a family physician provides medical care to all physical issues irrespective of which organ it is and he/she also takes care of mental issues, and that he/she supports the community from children to senior citizens reflecting its needs. Actually, my father was a gynecologist but I did not intend to become a doctor. However, when I learned about family physician s, for the first time I felt that I also wanted to become one, and decided to become a family physician who offers medical care necessary for the new era by medically examining the local people and the entire community.
In the hope of building a local community where people live in peace
After graduating from ICU, I joined the Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, and after graduation I received training as a family physician at the Hokkaido Centre for Family Medicine. This training is Japan's first residency program and I was the 20th graduate. The training system of the academic society, which started with this program, is the original form of general practitioner, a newly established medical specialist under the new medical specialist system from this fiscal year.
It was the time when no one knew the phrase family physician and no one was studying family medicine to start one's clinic, so when I started it the response from both patients and local medical personnel was like "What's that?" Patients gradually, and more or less smoothly, accepted, "So, you see patients for internal medicine, pediatrics and all departments". The medical personnel, however, had a stronger feeling that they were not sure who a family physician was. I, therefore, made efforts to earn their understanding and trust. Building a track record is the only way to win trust. A family physician is an independent medical specialist and collaborates with all other medical specialists. Family physician is not only about assigning patients to other doctors; we provide medical care to patients who we can treat and introduce those who require specialized treatment to relevant specialists at appropriate timings and follows up on them. I build relationships of trust one by one by accumulating the record of this introduction and reverse-introduction. Today, we have more patients returning to our clinic saying, at the hospitals we have referred them to, "Hachinohe Family Clinic's referral meant the patients would be well looked after," which makes me realize that we have successfully built a relationship of trust with medical personnel as well as patients.
In 2015, I started up a community collaborative project in home medical treatment called "connect8." Medical institutions, pharmacies and welfare facilities involved with patients receiving home medical treatment in Hachinohe utilizes Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to share patient information and facilitate smooth collaboration of a wide variety of specialists by enabling all members to view information regarding one patient. Connect8 has grown into a scheme where more than 500 staff members of various categories at various entities in Hachinohe collaborate and support a total of about 1,400 people and it has 1 million annual accesses to its collaboration tool. In 2016, it was introduced as one of 10 advanced cases in Japan in a survey commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and in August 2018, it was selected as a field for a demonstration project for standardizing medical and nursing care ICT collaboration by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. In addition to the integrated community care system to support elderly citizens, we also established an incorporated nonprofit organization Reconnect in fiscal 2017 for activities to establish inclusive community where all generations and groups including children, differently abled and those who are rearing children help each other, and the city has commissioned the operation of connect8 in this framework. It goes without saying that it is important to care for each patient, and we would also like to contribute with medical care to develop the community so that we can leave behind a community where people can live peacefully, a community where people can grow children and nurse elderly comfortably while working and a community that is easier to live in for children in the future.
Medical field where the learning at ICU comes to life
I was originally interested in the humanities and especially wanted to study philosophy, so I joined ICU known for its educational capability. I studied philosophy with students from various backgrounds and realized that what I really wanted to do was to work in a field where I come in contact with people. I remember very clearly that in my final year I once again thought I would become a family physician.
Now that I have become a family physician, one memory etched in my mind is the ELP (current English for Liberal Arts Program) classes which students take soon after joining the college. Euthanasia was the theme of discussion. I gained the ability to think by discussing a deep ethical topic that does not have a clear answer and I learned how to obtain information, how to judge it, to learn and think on my own and how to implement it through critical thinking and writing, the very fundamental matters that are useful in study and work in any fields. In retrospect, I now realize that it was an education in which I gained the ability to think various things on my own and implement them.
I also think that my background of studying at the College of Liberal Arts enabled me to spontaneously, and without resistance, incorporate ideas from various fields and study and cooperate with people from other fields in building local collaborations, and writing and giving lectures as well as seeing patients as a family physician. If I had joined a medical college and become a doctor straight from the high school like most people do, it might have been difficult to do the activities I am currently engaged in. The experiences at ICU are supporting me comprehensively in various activities.
Find what I want to do, expand the possibility, connect with various people without resistance and cooperate. ICU is a valuable place for learning, which without fail gives us an opportunity to bring out respective personalities and expand possibilities.
Profile
Kazunari Ogura
1996 B.A. in Arts and Sciences (Humanities)
Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, in 2003
After graduating from the Division of Humanities, College of Liberal Arts, Ogura joined the Faculty of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, with the aim of becoming a family physician and graduated in 2003. Subsequently, he completed the initial training at Medical Corporation Caress Alliance Nikko Memorial Hospital in Hokkaido, finished the specialized program for family medicine at the Hokkaido Centre for Family Medicine, worked at Yuge Medical Clinic in Shiga Prefecture and opened Hachinohe Family Clinic in Aomori Prefecture in 2010. In 2015, Ogura established connect8, a network in which general hospitals, clinics, visiting nurse stations, home nursing care support offices and nursing care facilities in the Hachinohe area participate. Since 2017, he has been serving as the chief director of incorporated nonprofit organization Reconnect.
Message for Prospective Students
Maria Matsuki
First year
Messages from International Students
Message for Prospective Students
Nozomi Sasao Fourth year
Message for Prospective Students
Saya Otani Fourth year
Message for Prospective Students
Karolina Höglind Fourth year