Blogs and Articles from Thrid Way Forum Memebrs

1. Brief background in Japan

As opposed to the majority of other members of the Third Way Forum, I was born in Japan to a Japanese parent. Due to my father’s work, I lived in the US (in NJ) for 8 years since 4th grade until graduating high school. After returning to Japan and graduating university, I started to work in the pharmaceutical industry in Japan, and have lived in Japan since. I’ve worked in a Japanese firm, a US-based firm, and a regulatory authority, all related to global drug development or international cooperation related work. Currently I am a career advisor, coach, and mentor.

2. Ways affiliated with Third Way Forum

I joined only recently, in April, 2020 to the Working Group that meets weekly.

3. How do we want others to think of Third Way Forum

I want Third Way Forum to be a place where ideas on how a workplace where Japanese and Expats work together can really produce the best outcome by utilizing each one’s strength, regardless of the differences in language or culture.

4. Why is it important for people to contribute to the Third Way Forum

Changes happen so frequently nowadays (although a major change such as COVID-19 was really unexpected). Success means to cope with, or rather to make use of, that change in business, I believe the best way would be to fully utilize each and every person’s unique views, strength, skills, etc. to create new ideas.
There are so many Expats working in Japan. However, due to the difference in cultures and how norms are in Japan, both Japanese and Expats often struggle with the invisible barriers they face when they try to do things in reference to their past experiences.
It is “mottainai” for both Japanese and the Expats to try to stick to the traditional way (or the old-style way) when the OS of the world has been updated.
That’s why it is important that people to continuously try to seek a Third Way, that match with the updated world, and a way where everyone’s strength can be utilized.