INTERVIEWS

I want to foster helpful dialogue between women from different backgrounds and nurture the concept of “Happy Woman, Happy All” to prevent more war.

日本語 Interview by Isao Tokuhashi info@myeyestokyo.com   Erin Shiraishi (Ukraine) Entrepreneur *Photo provided by Erin Shiraishi Last year, we received a message from someone after a long time. It was from Erin Shiraishi, a former journalist turned entrepreneur. Originally from Ukraine, Erin has lived in many countries. She told us that she recently came back to Japan from France and founded ProMaman – an online social platform to help women everywhere to discuss what they need. In celebration of her entrepreneurial achievements, we requested an interview with her. *Interview held online   Creating an online space for struggling women I organize

Features

We’re delivering dreams and excitement to the world—not just selling hot dogs

日本語 Interview by Isao Tokuhashi and Jennifer A. Hoff Edited by Jennifer A. Hoff info@myeyestokyo.com   Noriki Tamura Entrepreneur When we at My Eyes Tokyo (MET) planned to travel to Canada this year (2023), Jennifer, MET’s English editor-in-chief who is a native Vancouverite, told us about a hot dog chain that she had been familiar with for many years — “JAPADOG“, a Japanese-style hotdog restaurant that operates both in Vancouver and in the United States. It has been featured in numerous media outlets for its uniqueness and has become so integrated into the everyday lives of the locals that all

INTERVIEWS

We should always think differently in order to succeed in business.

日本語 Interview by Isao Tokuhashi info@myeyestokyo.com   Aw Wanping (Singapore) Entrepreneur/Researcher One day we received a message on LinkedIn that said, “I came across one of your interviews and wonder if it would be possible to be interviewed.” This message was sent to us by an entrepreneur from Singapore. However, looking at her background, most of her experience was as a researcher in the medical field. The website of her company, TokudAw, introduced not only her but also her co-owners, but we were still very curious about how she started her own business in the travel field with almost no experience

INTERVIEWS

Revitalizing this country with Moringa is my way of giving back to Japan!

日本語 Interview by Isao Tokuhashi Edited by Jennifer A. Hoff info@myeyestokyo.com   Florsan Bolando Kondo (Philippines) Moringa Cultivator and Enthusiast Photo provided by Florsan Bolando Kondo The “Multicultural One Family Festival” was held in Tokyo on November 23 last year (2022). At the festival, where people of various backgrounds living in Japan gather to share their culture and traditions through shows and stalls, we met an interesting group of people. A group called “ATE Moringa” grows the “Moringa” plants in Yokoshiba-Hikari, Chiba Prefecture, about 70 kilometers from central Tokyo. It is a highly nutritious plant with origins in Northern India which

INTERVIEWS

Always ask the question “What can I do as the one and only individual in the world” and listen to the voice of your heart.

Interviewed by Isao Tokuhashi Edited by Daniel Penso Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Wong Lai Yong (Malaysia) Social Entrepreneur/Career Consultant At the end of 2016, we joined a girls’ night out. It was a very unique event in which African/Asian female social entrepreneurs who are working on social problems and Japanese career women shared their failures (mainly in English) with each other while enjoying Italian dishes. They sometimes stopped eating to listen to others and share their pasts. When the event was almost over, an Asian woman greeted us in Japanese. That’s Ms. Wong Lai Yong. Her Japanese was so fluent

INTERVIEWS

I want to provide Japan “much more value for functionality”.

Interviewed by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Corey Lee (United States) Creative Director / Designer When you hear the word “designer,” you probably associate them with very creative people, but when do you interact with them? In many cases, you probably ask them to work on something that you can’t draw or create. But Corey Lee, a young American creative director/designer, says, “Those days are over.” Until now, designers have mainly gotten orders for design work from planners and developers. However, the future designer should be “A leader who joins the planning stage and takes the lead in concept

INTERVIEWS

Expanding business all over the world and helping children in need – Both are my dreams.

Interviewed & Written by Isao Tokuhashi Edited by Daniel Penso Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Serkan Toso (Turkey) Food Entrepreneur One day we received a mail saying, “I would like to collaborate with you.” The mail came from Serkan, a Turkish man who has his own online platform which provides information about food events to visitors to Tokyo. We got interested in him because of the reasons below; 1. He is from Turkey. We’ve never happened upon a Turkish IT entrepreneur in Japan. 2. He is Muslim, which means he must have food restrictions. It is interesting that that kind of

INTERVIEWS

Even just seeing the ocean was a new experience.

Interviewed by Isao Tokuhashi, Emma Withrow Edited by Emma Withrow Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Fariza Abidova (Uzbekistan) CEO & President of SOPHYS Corporation / Trusted Corporation   Earlier last December just as the holiday season began showing itself here in Tokyo we were fortunate to have the chance to sit down with Fariza Abidova for a cup of tea and a chat on referral from Verena Hopp. Over the course of our talk her tenacity and dedication was evident in her journey from Uzbekistan to Tokyo, and in the hopes and plans she has for her future. To best understand

INTERVIEWS

It’s better to try and fail than never knowing what the outcome could have been.

Interviewed by Isao Tokuhashi Edited by Emma Withro Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Michael Anthony S Porter (Canada) Media Entrepreneur Photo by Rodrigo Reyes Marin/AFLO At the end of January 2016, My Eyes Tokyo was covered by Tech In Asia, the Singapore-based online media resource, which features startup and investor information in Asian countries. The article garnered plenty of likes and audience feedback and resulted in a new friendship with a particular individual who, of all the feedback, reached out personally to meet. The man we’ll introduce you to today shared advice on ways MET could strengthen its role and support

INTERVIEWS

Wanting the world to experience the “Real Japan”

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com   Alisa Sanada Chief Operating Officer of Nagomi Visit We interviewed a Japanese-American who runs Nagomi Visit, a nonprofit organization based in Tokyo. People all across the globe from around 60 countries use the program to visit local homes all across Japan. These “home visits” allow a traveler to visit a local home for two to three hours and experience the everyday life of locals in Japan by engaging with them over a meal. In comparison to a homestay where you stay overnight, there is less pressure on both sides. It