Hello, and welcome to Inspire Tokyo, a podcast brought to you by Kikokushijo Academy in Tokyo, Japan.

On this episode we are joined by Junko Mogi. Junko's story traces a remarkable global journey, from Montessori preschool and local public schools in the U.S., to a returnee program in Japan, to the International Baccalaureate program in India, and finally to Waseda University's School of International Liberal Studies (also known as SILS). Along the way, she found her footing at Kikokushijo Academy, first as a student, then later as an intern, and today she's a project manager at Global KA.

In our conversation, Junko shares what it felt like to move between languages and cultures, the challenge of learning in Japanese classrooms, and the strength she found in those transitions. We also talk about her experiences navigating IB and AO systems. Her journey is a reminder that growing up between worlds can be both demanding and deeply enriching. Junko's reflections will resonate with anyone who's ever had to bridge two worlds or find where they truly belong.