I am currently the general manager of the Japanese branch of Air Canada, the largest airline based in Canada. We are currently striving to expand the airline’s routes departing from Japan and engaging in sales and marketing activities.
Air Canada is aggressively promoting flights to the United States from Haneda Airport via Toronto or Vancouver by emphasizing the convenient access to Haneda and the efficient immigration clearance when entering the U.S. In addition, to create new leisure demands, we collaborate with the Government of Canada’s Destination Canada organization to invite senior management members of Japanese travel agencies to Canada and jointly formulate innovative strategies to draw Japanese tourists to Canada.

At work, I lately abide by the motto, “Do not run away! Do not be lazy! Do not be embarrassed!” I just happened to come across this phrase somewhere, but I am especially fond of the part “Do not be embarrassed!” which I always try to keep in mind. I also share it with my staff. People tend to feel “shy and embarrassed” when others see them working hard, and hesitate to openly demonstrate their efforts. However, being embarrassed prevents us from moving forward. I try to bear in mind that we should work hard with aspiration without feeling embarrassed about it.

I studied for seven years in total at Aoyama Gakuin, at senior high school and university (Department of English, College of Literature). Students here tend to coexist in harmony with others instead of competing and trying to outstrip one another. Including myself, many of the alumni seem to go about adhering to this spirit without even being aware of it. Aoyama Gakuin has been upholding the vision of cultivating servant-leaders to create a brighter future. The Aoyama Gakuin spirit of listening to and trying to understand others by putting oneself in their shoes is indeed a characteristic feature of a servant-leader.
As a university student, in addition to engaging in academic tasks, I was also an active member of a circle called the Basic Ski Team and also worked hard at my part-time jobs. I especially remember working as an exhibition booth narrator at the Tokyo Motor Show and computer tradeshows, introducing products and services for exhibitors. Thanks to that job, I managed to get over my stage fright.

I must mention that my husband’s cooperation is crucial in allowing me to concentrate on my work. He loves cooking and does all the cooking for the family. When raising our child, he was also spontaneous and proactive, intricately coordinating his time and mine. Thanks to him, I have been able to maintain a good balance between work and family affairs without being constantly swamped with household chores. He is my strongest work supporter and the most reliable person to turn to for advice.
What I most look forward to is spending time with my daughter, a junior student at a university in Boston. When I can take some time off work, we travel together and talk about her boyfriend and workout programs we are into over dinner.

What is the appeal of working in a global environment? In Japan, we share common notions that allow us to understand each other without having to explicitly express our thoughts. However, once we are outside Japan, communication can only be achieved by clearly putting your ideas into words, while fully digesting and taking in other people’s views. Through such communication, we can absorb values we had not known before and broaden our horizons. I believe that this is the appeal of working in a global environment.