Chikage Kichibayashi: Envisioning a Bridge to Japan in Malaga, Spain

2023/11/20

Currently, I am active as a professional player for a team called "Nueces de Ronda Atlético Torcal" in the Spanish Women's Futsal First Division.

Ten years ago, I took a leave of absence from the Faculty of Policy Management, where I was enrolled at the time, to transfer to a team in the Spanish First Division. Since then, I have dedicated myself to futsal while traveling back and forth between Japan and Spain. Additionally, I have competed in numerous international tournaments as a member of the Japanese national team for approximately ten years.

Among the various experiences I have had around the world, what I find particularly valuable is the experience of being a minority while living abroad. Encountering situations and hardships daily that I would never face in Japan and confronting them is sometimes difficult, but it has become an irreplaceable experience for me. I have developed a habit of valuing basic communication every day—fundamental things like who I am, what I want to do, and how I want to be understood by others.

Through these ten years of living abroad, I have also personally felt the distance between Japan and the rest of the world, as well as the hurdles in communication. When people think of Spain, Madrid and Barcelona are still the most famous, and in recent years, San Sebastian has also become a popular tourist destination as a land of gastronomy. However, southern Spain, where I live, is called the Costa del Sol. It is an area with exceptionally good weather even within Europe and is a popular tourist destination. While its recognition in Japan is not yet high, the beautiful sea and warm people are a perfect match for Japanese people.

Furthermore, I feel that the regions of Malaga and Marbella along the Mediterranean coast are places of great opportunity for Japanese people and companies. In particular, Marbella has strong connections with places like Miami and Dubai, and is a location where various businesses are being born. It is an attractive region where major global companies are gradually beginning to expand, and many people are interested in Japan and Japanese companies.

While I am still playing in the Spanish league as an active player, I hope to contribute, in my own small way, to opening up new possibilities for Japan from here in Spain and Europe.