Tokyo Alumni Podcast

Episode 26 Ian Shimizu (St. Marys 2011) Environmentalist  

WeMori Kickstarter Link https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1065560538/wemori-an-app-to-regenerate-the-earth-0  

Ian explains to Nick what WeMori does, and how their Kickstarter works. He explains to Nick about the two types of the awards backers of WeMori can receive, washi and an "up-cycled" t-shirt. He explains how "washi" is in a sense the world's most "sustainable paper", since its paper you can wash. He also explains to Nick what "up-cycling" is and how the t-shirts created specifically for his Kickstarter backers are made out of this unique system of "up-cycling".  Ian explains to Nick the importance of mindset in regards to understanding why we have the products we do, and to understand what happens to these products once they are used. That we must consider the "story" of products in front of us in regard to where they come from and where they are going. By understanding what is around us, we can then understand how we can change our daily routines in order to live a lifestyle that is more aware of the holistic picture of what makes our everyday life.   Ian's advice in regards to what the average person could do in regards to making immediate changes would include, but not exclusive to; eat less/no meat, use renewable energy, use less disposable bottles, ride fewer planes, and help protect and restore forests.   The two discuss nuclear energy, and how its a very divisive issue without a concrete answer, especially in Japan that has historic trauma in regards to nuclear power, and is in a geopolitically precarious location. ​Ian and Nick then discuss renewable energy. The advantages/disadvantages as well as the general question of whether "alternative energy" alone is a resolution to our environmental issues.   ​Ian explains to Nick the root of where his passion for environmentalism came from, and how it a series of events, from his childhood all the way to the present day, which had molded him to become the environmentalist he is today.  The two discuss "Earthman" (​Article with "Earthman" from France). Ian explains to Nick how "Earthman" started around 6-7 years ago by him, and is now part of any climate March in Japan today walking in the front row.  Ian explains to Nick the importance of education and awareness in regards to environmental issues, and how he has utilized platforms such as 350 and Spiral Club to help this happen.   

Guest: Ian Shimizu Ian (St. Marys 2011)

H is a bilingual environmentalist, educator, and consultant based in Tokyo. Founder of weMORI, an ongoing nonprofit project to build an app that makes protection and restoration of forests around the world fun, easy and accessible for all.  He is a professional speaker with experience giving over +200 speeches and lectures about SDGs, climate change and other topics on sustainability across Japan.  He is a consultant and project manager for various environmental and education projects for clients including The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Currently consulting for an app-based education service launching in March of 2019 for CINRA.Inc.  He helped launch the Japan branch of 350.org, a global grassroots nonprofit while a student at International Christian University, Japan's top liberal arts University. Founder of Spiral Club, a community media platform with the aim of 'making environmental awareness mainstream' in Japan.  Music Credit: Bensounds

Episode 25 Philip Seiji Vincent (ASIJ 2007)

Managing Partner (Japan) - Plug and Play Japan

​Seiji explains to Nick the role of Plug and Play in Japan, and how they help create bridges between the large corporates in Japan, with new innovative startups.

The two discuss the difficulties of bridging the two very different cultures of innovative start-ups and conservative Japanese corporate culture.

Seiji, having spent roughly half of his life in Japan, and half in the United States, a bilingual and bicultural individual feels like his role of connecting startups to large corporations is a perfect fit for him, and for international school graduates who often possess this similar background.

The two discuss how Japan's technology was cutting edge in the 80s and 90s, but how the environment in regards to tech has been rapidly changing the past few decades. And in certain ways, Japan is falling behind, and how slowly but surely this has been leading towards a push by the Japanese government as well as major Japanese companies to begin to invest more in startups and become part of the venture capital culture.

​The two discuss the evolution of what is considered "professional dress", and how Silicon Valley is revolutionizing what it means to "dress as a professional" around the world, as Seiji helps explain to Nick why he keeps seeing Patagonia clothing being worn by tech executives.

Philip Seiji Vincent (ASIJ 2007)

Managing Partner (Japan) - Plug and Play Japan

Phillip is the Managing Partner & CEO of Plug and Play Japan, a subsidiary of Plug and Play Tech Center located in Silicon Valley. He started working for Plug and Play in Silicon Valley in 2014 and headed both the IoT division and Mobility division before moving to Tokyo to start Plug and Play Japan in 2017. Plug and Play Japan is focused on creating the largest innovation platform in Japan connecting startups and larger corporations worldwide with hubs in Tokyo and Kyoto.

Prior to working for Plug and Play, Phillip was an Account Executive for Uniglobe Kisco, the U.S. subsidiary of KISCO, a large Japanese trading company focused on chemicals and materials.

Phillip graduated from San Diego State University. Phillip has spent half of his life in Japan and the other half in the U.S.

Episode 24 Angie Marsh 

Aviation Officer  

Angie explains to Nick the unique inner-workings of West Point, and how it operates. For example, certain grade levels are not allowed to befriend others, and how upperclassmen are allowed to wear civilian clothing and drive, while this is not allowed for the underclassmen, especially the freshman, who are known as "plebes".  Angie clarifies for Nick his query in regards to the "basketball throwing test", West Point has as part of its physical fitness test, and why it exists.   Angie explains to Nick the various type of activities that are offered at West Point, and how the clubs and activities offered are a bit unique, in comparison to the standard four years University. They also discuss how the size of West Point has affected her classroom sizes and learning experience.   Amongst the 17 possible branches of the military, Angie speaks to Nick why she decided to go the route of aviation. She also explains how "posting" and "branching" works in regard to how military personnel is stationed. At the very end of the podcast, Angie explains and encourages current high school students to explore the ROTC system, and why she strongly recommends it.  

Angie Marsh (ASIJ 2016)

Episode 23: Erika Brinley (ASIJ 2005)

Erika Brinley (ASIJ 2005) 

Stay at home Mom  

Erika Brinley graduated ASIJ in 2005, and attended BYU, and during her time here, she spent two years on a mission trip between her sophomore and junior year at Hokkaido Japan. She would go on to graduate from BYU with a Bachelors of Science in Family Studies with a focus in Human Development. She has always been passionate about the cognitive, physical, mental, and emotional development of human beings, and how relationships such as parent to child or husband to wife can affect these components.   Upon graduating from BYU, she worked for the BYU University extension, where she was in charge of training teachers and developing curriculum for the many missionaries who were traveling to fifty-plus countries.  She currently resides in New York with her husband Darin (ASIJ 2008) and her three children (with a fourth on the way). She is a full-time Mom, and also a music teacher from home, and coaching mothers around the world.

Episode 22 Serena Tamura (ASIJ 2008) Scientist  

Serena explains to Nick how the COVID QPCR tests operate, and what her role entails in regards to the PCR testing in California as a volunteer scientist.  Serena explains to Nick how many of the graduate students received an email in the spring asking volunteers to analyze the samples of COVID tests, and many have come through and are currently volunteering to help with the process of COVID-19 detection.   The two discuss the frustrations of seeing people in the United States who do not wear masks, and yes. "WEAR MASKS PEOPLE!".  Serena explains to Nick the topic of her doctoral research where she is developing genetic therapy for autism, and how she uses a tool called CRISPR, which allows scientists to look at genes, and research their mutation.  The two discuss how Serena began to develop a true interest in biology in University, and how the study of psychiatric disorders and learning how to analyze the biology itself of those diseases gave her passion to seek treatment for what could be perceived often as "untreatable diseases"  *the audio for this episode lags at times.  

Serena Tamura (ASIJ 2008) 

Serena Tamura graduated from ASIJ in 2008, after which she attended Stanford University where she majored in Human Biology with a concentration in Neurobiology and Behavior.  She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California San Francisco in the Dept. of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and is developing CRISPR based gene therapies for rare genetic disorders.  She lives in San Francisco with her husband Andrew and two dogs.  Timestamps 0:05 Introduction

Episode 21 

Shu explains to Nick how understanding the art of coaching wrestling has helped him become a better educator.   ​Shu explains to Nick how wrestling is the most egalitarian sport in the world. The weight classes enable the skinniest lightest student and the heaviest students in the school still have an opportunity to win within their weight class. And the techniques can often be acquired within a high school, unlike sports like basketball and soccer where playing the sport in elementary and middle school is often imperative for a student to excel at the high school level. Shu also explains to Nick how the nature of the sport being a contact/combat sport brings together the team, and makes it the ultimate "team sport", despite the events being 1 v 1.  The former Far East champion wrestler speaks to Nick about his psychologically and physically most challenging moments as a St. Mary's wrestler.   Wrestling was kicked out of the Olympics in 2013, and since then, many changes have taken place in the sport. ​The two discuss how the rules of wrestling have changed in recent years, and how those changes have affected wrestling today. Shu explains how the coaching standards were changed in 2013, and how he was part of the first cohort for international coaching in 2014.   The two discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a 3-season sport system vs a year-long sports system, and how it is contingent upon the athlete in regards to which methodology works best for him or her.  

Shuichiro Yabui ​

After graduating St. Mary’s International School in Tokyo, Mr. Yabui earned his B.B.A. from Temple University; serving as the president of the student government and graduating top of his class. During his high school wrestling career, he accomplished to be a 3-time DoDDs (Department of Defense Dependent schools) Far East wrestling champion. ​ After graduating university, he developed a unique English learning curriculum and founded Yabui School of English, providing English teaching and translation services.  Later on, he assumed position as the head wrestling coach at his alma mater and led the team to win 4 consecutive DoDDs Far East tournament titles for the first time in school history. In 2014, he was certified as Asia’s first United World Wrestling (UWW) Educator. As an Educator, he supports in the development of national coaches mainly in the Asia and Oceania regions.  Currently, he teaches the International Baccalaureate Economics course and Business Ethics as the high school social studies department head at St. Mary’s. Using his bilingual ability, he also serves as the Chair of the International Relations Committee of the Japan Masters Wrestling Federation as well as assists in UWW’s coach education development projects and media translations.

Disclaimer: “The views and opinions expressed in this interview are those of the individuals and do not reflect the views or policies of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP.”

Janet explains to Nick why she became a lawyer. She describes how her passion and interests such as international relations and philosophy were intertwined with international law, and she found the occupation to be both intellectually stimulating and a challenge she was willing to take on.

As a philosophy major, Janet explains to Nick how many of the great philosophical questions we have as a society, often connect to how we view the justice system overall, and understanding philosophy helped her better comprehend how and why these legal systems existed in different nations.

The two discuss the LSATs and preparation for Law School. Janet explains to Nick how the 3-years at law school work, and how the system of the "P14 schools" can affect the job hunt process for those who are attending law school. She also explains to Nick how the job hunt process essentially begins from year one, since the two summers law school students have are an essential time for them to get work experience between their studies.

The two discuss the bar exam, and Janet explains how law school students prepare for the exam, and how the bar is different depending on the state.

Janet clarifies for Nick what many companies mean when they say pro bono, and how some companies utilize a billing system that encourages their employees to work on cases which are pro bono. Janet explains to Nick how choosing a firm that had a very flexible pro bono system was one of the factors in regards to why she chose to work for her current law firm.

Janet explains to Nick how right now is an excellent opportunity for any Japanese speaker to attend law school, and that there is consistently and constantly a demand for Japanese speakers who also have passed the bar. She explains how there is a system present where you could work in Tokyo as a US lawyer through going through the 外国法事務弁護士 system.

Janet Wold Kanzawa (ASIJ 2010)

Janet graduated from Vassar College in 2014, where she majored in Philosophy and International Studies and minored in Economics and Arabic. She returned to Tokyo for one year to work at ASIJ and coach volleyball and field hockey.

Janet then moved to New York City to attend Columbia Law School. Upon graduation, Janet began her legal career at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett’s New York office, where she completed rotations in the Banking & Credit and Capital Markets groups. Janet recently transferred to Simpson Thacher’s Los Angeles office, where she represents private equity funds, corporations, and banks in financing matters. She has enjoyed doing pro bono legal work for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Episode 20 Janet Wold Kanzawa - ​Lawyer

Janet explains to Nick why she became a lawyer. She describes how her passion and interests such as international relations and philosophy were intertwined with international law, and she found the occupation to be both intellectually stimulating and a challenge she was willing to take on.

As a philosophy major, Janet explains to Nick how many of the great philosophical questions we have as a society, often connect to how we view the justice system overall, and understanding philosophy helped her better comprehend how and why these legal systems existed in different nations.

​The two discuss the LSATs and preparation for Law School. Janet explains to Nick how the 3-years at law school work, and how the system of the "P14 schools" can affect the job hunt process for those who are attending law school. She also explains to Nick how the job hunt process essentially begins from year one, since the two summers law school students have are an essential time for them to get work experience between their studies.

The two discuss the bar exam, and Janet explains how law school students prepare for the exam, and how the bar is different depending on the state.

Janet clarifies for Nick what many companies mean when they say pro bono, and how some companies utilize a billing system that encourages their employees to work on cases which are pro bono. Janet explains to Nick how choosing a firm that had a very flexible pro bono system was one of the factors in regards to why she chose to work for her current law firm.

Janet explains to Nick how right now is an excellent opportunity for any Japanese speaker to attend law school, and that there is consistently and constantly a demand for Japanese speakers who also have passed the bar. She explains how there is a system present where you could work in Tokyo as a US lawyer through going through the 外国法事務弁護士 system.

Janet Wold Kanzawa (ASIJ 2010)

Janet graduated from Vassar College in 2014, where she majored in Philosophy and International Studies and minored in Economics and Arabic. She returned to Tokyo for one year to work at ASIJ and coach volleyball and field hockey.

Janet then moved to New York City to attend Columbia Law School. Upon graduation, Janet began her legal career at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett’s New York office, where she completed rotations in the Banking & Credit and Capital Markets groups. Janet recently transferred to Simpson Thacher’s Los Angeles office, where she represents private equity funds, corporations, and banks in financing matters. She has enjoyed doing pro bono legal work for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

Tokyo Alumni Podcast Episode 19

Kai explains to Nick how he went from having a 1.60 GPA in high school to earning a Bachelors in Science at Santa Clara, and currently pursuing a Masters's degree at the University of Melbourne. He explains to Nick what events in his life prompted him to go back to school, and why he chose to study information, data, and computer science.

Kai explains to Nick what the greatest challenges were for him throughout his academic journey at public school, private school, American schools, International Schools, and Australian schools, and how confidence has been a continual theme in regards to how he hoped to improve as an academic and professional.

The two discuss the importance of one creating a new environment, and how change can sometimes only happen through a change of scenery as opposed to a change in ones self. Kai explains to Nick the curriculum and education he has found most effective, and those he had found least effective based on the various schools and school systems he had attended.

Kai finishes the podcast with the advice he would have towards any students who are struggling in high school.

After dropping out of St.Mary’s with a 1.6 GPA, Kai took the route of obtaining GED and attending community college to get a second chance at getting educated.

He eventually attended and graduated from Santa Clara University with a B.S. in Information Systems.

Kai has worked as a data engineer at a machine learning startup in the San Francisco Bay Area, and as a data analyst at Airbnb Tokyo.

He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science at the University of Sydney.

Episode 16: Dr. Yannik Pitcan (ASIJ 2007)