ITIFIMonday, February 12, 2018The Shinro Shimbun Hawaii Edition13at the Studio Rim Hawaii, the Hawaiian radio stationHawaii Fair 2017 in Osakasell Hawaii made products. My Japanese skills and my Japanese network of contacts definitely help me in supporting the Hawaii companies in the Japanese market. I try to go on personal trips to Japan once a year to see Life Itself Is the Learning Process That You Build Up Something.―Please give advices to those interested in Japan.irst, I believe you need to be at least fluent in two languages in this age of globalization. To really succeed, you may need to be trilingual due to the way work crosses borders so seamlessly. Second, if you are interested in Japan, go study in Japan as much as you can, then eventually fi nd a way to work there. In my case, it took more time for me to eventually start a career there. It was not easy, but it was all worth it. I did not clearly know my career path in Tokyo, but was fortunate to find PR, because I am skillful at networking and always aim to help others succeed. My desire to help others translated into enabling client businesses to succeed and grow. Last, but not least, you Mr. Lyle Fujikawa is an economic development specialist at the State of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. With his experience of study and career in Japan, he is playing a big role in promoting Hawaii. From his story, we can get suggestions about the importance of studying in Japan. am a 4th generation Japanese-American born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. My ancestors were from Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Beppu and Fukuoka. They immigrated to Hawaii during the Meiji Period to work on a sugar plantation on Maui Island and a coffee plantation on Hawaii Island. In the 1st grade of junior high at Punahou School, the fact that my parents didn't study or speak Japanese motivated me to study Japanese. In the summer our teacher took my schoolmates and I to Japan, along with our parents, enjoying such places like Tokyo, Nikko, Odawara, Fuji, Kyoto, Mr. Lyle FujikawaEconomic Development Specialist at the State of HawaiiDepartment of Business,Economic Development & TourismHiroshima, and Fukuoka. I was fortunate to visit Japan almost every year, which were key opportunities to expose myself to Japanese language and culture. I graduated from Punahou School in 1986, and was fortunate to win a scholarship to study at Nanzan University in Japan for one year. There I stayed with a great Japanese host family and took part in international friendship activities with Japanese students. I tried to interact with Japanese students as much as I could, so I gained quicker fl uency in Japanese. continued my Japanese studies at the University of Pennsylvania, but when I graduated, I found my Japanese language ability was not really needed by East Coast companies. I returned to Honolulu, where I found work at the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce, which had local and Japan-based companies as members. I was later hired to work in Tokyo and began a 14-year career in PR and marketing in Tokyo. I served private companies and semi-governmental groups promoting their products in Japan to businesses and consumers. I learned a great deal about consumer and business needs, as well as about the strict guidelines and regulations about importing into Japan.―How was it like to live in Japan?here are huge differences between Americans and Japanese in the way they think, behave and express themselves. I learned many differences from my bosses and co- workers. Japanese place more emphasis on group harmony than individuals, and they focus on processes in expectation of achieving desired results. Americans tend to do the opposite, promoting individuals to stand out from the crowd, and to pursue desired results in any way possible. Japanese will also more often apologize to customers quickly when problems occur, while Americans often do not explicitly apologize for fear of legal liability. Food is also different from Hawaii, where in Japan the presentation of cuisine, such as sushi, is as important as the ingredients. Japanese consider how to make the dishes look as attractive as possible, in the spirit of “omotenashi.” Japanese custom is very careful with packaging and interacting with customers. Even convenience store clerks carefully handle items and then hand over packages to customers with both hands. When I actually lived in Japan, I found out differences between Tokyo and the areas from where my ancestors came. One funny episode in Japan happened during my Yakudoshi, a bad year in Japanese customs. I asked one of my close friends, “When is the party?” but she didn't understand because she didn't know the Hawaii tradition of celebrating our Yakudoshi, which is practiced much differently in Japan. There are so many other episodes that show you will learn their culture only when you see and experience in person. ―Please tell us about your current life in Hawaii. currently work in the Business Development & Support Division (BDSD) of the State of Hawaii Dept. of Business, Economic Development & Tourism. I support small businesses to grow and be able to export their products to other countries. I support the Hankyu Hawaii Fair held every July in Umeda, Japan. Hankyu Department Stores managers are professionals at creating ideal events, like the Hawaii Fair. The week-long event attracts over two hundred and fifty thousand customers, helping to promote and Promotion of Hawaii in Japanmy friends, and keep abreast of the newest customs in Japan. It is essential to view things by my own eyes. All these experiences add up and have contributed to my ability of serving as a bridge between Hawaii and Japan.should always work to become better. In Japan, I had to work hard at improving my command of Japanese. When I faced a hurdle, I thought, “Even though I have tried hard for many years, why is it so difficult?” And after I overcame the hurdle, there is another one. It is that way in life, for everyone. Every single day presents you with the opportunity to learn meaningful things. If you study in Japan, you will not only improve your Japanese language ability but also learn about yourself and life. Recently, I started practicing calligraphy to continue my study of Japanese language and culture. Calligraphy can also serve as a sort of meditation. I am excited to continue challenging myself to keep learning. The chance is everywhere!I’m the Sum of All My Experiencein Japan.―Please tell us about your personal history. Special InterviewTo Be a Bridge Between Hawaii and Japan
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