Confidence in Studying Shattered Immediately after Entering University

I actually failed a course at an early stage after entering university. I had previously attended a high school with high academic standards and was confident about getting good grades. After entering ICU, I underestimated the situation and presumed that as long as I handed in my assignments and got good marks, I would easily pass my courses without having to actually attend classes. However, that proved to be a mistake. A professor asked me why I had not attended a class with a single word, "Were you hanging out?" This simple question subsequently had an immense influence on my actions. Many of my fellow classmates were returnees or graduates from international schools and were deeply motivated to learn. As my aim for studying had been to enter university, I was unable to adjust to my new environment and even ended up asking myself why I had decided to enter ICU in the first place. The professor's simple question, "Were you hanging out?" was my wake-up call. I realized that simply getting good marks wasn't enough at ICU, and I seriously thought again about what I wanted to achieve there, motivating me to become more proactive in my learning.

Thereafter, I began to voraciously study the subjects that I had been interested in high school, such as physics and mathematics, and expanded into a diverse range of fields. I also developed a deep interest in history and enthusiastically studied Japanese and world history; however, I also encountered a feeling of immense uneasiness in my Eastern European and Russian history course. Compared to the history of other nations, I felt that there was very little room for debate and a scarce amount of information regarding Eastern European and Russian history. Especially for Russia, despite its proximity to Japan, I felt that the basic available information on Russia was limited. In order to solve this issue, I realized that I had to become proactive in seeking to learn, and I decided to study at St Petersburg University.

Forming the Foundation of My Career: Mental and Communication Ability Nurtured at ICU

Once I arrived in Russia, I faced unexpected language barriers and communication issues. Basic tasks such as going shopping proved challenging, and for a while, I experienced loneliness. Subsequently, the number of friends who worried about me and helped me grew, and I was able to eventually settle down thanks to their support. This experience made me realize that an individual cannot accomplish anything on their own. Moreover, this realization became the driving force when I implemented various projects in my current job, which requires people from a wide range of countries to work together.

I currently work at the Asian Football Confederation's main office in Kuala Lumpur, where I am in charge of the administration and management of football technology. Football Technology refers to the technology, such as stadium cameras and sensors installed inside the balls, which supports the accurate judgment of a goal that is scored extremely close to the line or a difficult offside. These advanced technologies are indispensable for attaining accurate and fair judgment, and are a vital presence in large-scale matches such as international friendly matches and FIFA's World Cup. With constant advances being made in football technology, my role is to engage in cutting-edge initiatives, such as by testing out new technology and equipment in matches and by actually implementing them. We are constantly searching for the latest technology, aiming to contribute to its advancement.

However, there are immense differences among countries regarding the implementation of football technology. While wealthy nations can introduce a full set of equipment, developing countries, in particular, face a shortage of equipment or do not possess any at all. In such cases, we send out equipment to them, but unexpected issues often arise where the international situation or diplomatic factors make air transportation difficult, or even if the equipment is transported, it is stopped by inspection at the airport right before arriving for the match. Under such difficult circumstances, we have been able to overcome obstacles countless times through the support of local partner companies and staff. Communication between people from different countries, languages, and cultures is not an easy task, and in order to overcome the differences that occur, it is important to openly exchange opinions while also respecting each other. I believe that the foundation for fulfilling my professional duties in my current job was formed from my experience studying abroad, where I learned that nothing could be achieved on one's own, as well as developing open-mindedness and communication skills through my studies at ICU.

Don't Be Bound by Conventions and Enjoy Your Changing Self

My message to prospective studentsis not to be bound by rules or conventions, don't be afraid of change, and always be free-spirited. I personally felt restrained by the boundaries of studying for entrance exams, and felt aimless once I got into university, where I experienced periods of just empty days. However, ICU warmly accepted the situation in which I found myself, and despite sometimes losing my way, the university provided an environment where I was able to slowly but steadily find what I wanted to do, what I wanted to actualize and what I wanted to continue seeking. Many of ICU students have spent a long period of time living abroad and are not bound by Japanese conventions. One of my friends spent each season participating in various activities such as football and basketball. I once asked him why he didn't focus on one activity, and he responded in the following way. "Why do you think it's good to constantly spend 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, just focusing on one, single thing?" He clearly did not feel the need to narrow down his interest to one activity, and was not burdened by a fixed notion that there could be only one correct answer. It is perfectly acceptable to lose one's way, and if you find a new interest, you are free to change your environment in order to pursue it. The most alluring element of ICU's Liberal Arts can be found in this free approach.

My first career was not in football. After graduating from university, I joined the foreign banking and financial services organization HSBC. I then moved to Bloomberg Japan where I honed my management skills, and later transitioned to a non-profit organization focused on world-class human resource development. Deep down, however, I had always felt an urge to find a football-related career, so I moved to Spain, where I signed a freelance contract with a football club and started my own company. My career has taken many twists and turns before reaching my current position. Over time, I have come to enjoy my shifting interests at any moment in time. Do not fixate on one thing; instead, embrace various challenges and encounters while you are at ICU. I am certain you will discover growth and a future beyond your imagination.