Keio Students Active in Diverse Fields —2022 Portrait—
2023/02/14
The public relations magazine "Juku" has a "Portrait" section, which primarily uses photographs to introduce the various activities of Keio students. This issue reprints articles that were published in "Juku" 2022 SPRING (No. 314), 2022 SUMMER (No. 315), 2022 AUTUMN (No. 316), and 2023 WINTER (No. 317).
Distributing Flyers to Promote LGBTQ UnderstandingAlso Active in the Keio University Student ConferenceSakura Hayakawa, Second-Year Student, Faculty of Economics
Sakura Hayakawa
While living in the United States during high school, Hayakawa was struck by how accepting society was of LGBTQ people. "In Japan, there may be less overt discrimination, but I think many people are simply not interested in the topic." To bring about change starting with the immediate community, Hayakawa and some friends created flyers to promote LGBTQ understanding last June. They distributed them in front of Hiyoshi Campus. "I was happy to receive many responses from people saying they also wanted to do what they could." Hayakawa is also an active member of the "2022 Keio University Student Conference," which promotes the realization of SDGs at Keio University. "I will continue to work not just to talk about ideals, but to actually bring about change at Keio." Hayakawa is enrolled in the PEARL program, where students can obtain a degree in economics in English. Hayakawa studies international security in a seminar at SFC and is engaged in fiscal research in a student club, navigating these busy days with characteristic proactiveness.
(From the "Portrait" section of the public relations magazine "Juku" 2023 WINTER (No. 317))
Leveraging Experience as a Tennis Player and UmpireDedicated to Research in Sports ManagementShion Hotta, Fourth-Year Student, Department of Law, Faculty of Law
Hotta began playing tennis at the age of three and is skilled enough to compete in professional tournaments. At 16, Hotta also became the youngest person at the time to obtain a Class B certified umpire license and has served as a chair umpire in international matches. "The atmosphere of a match can change with just one word from the umpire. It's similar to being a stage director." As a member of the Yagami Tennis Club, Hotta is dedicated to daily activities with teammates and also pursues research in sports management, having published more than ten papers in international academic journals. "My research, which clarified the relationship between umpire satisfaction and frequency of activity, was used to improve the environment at the Japan Tennis Association, and we actually saw results such as a 10% increase in young umpires." In recognition of numerous achievements, Hotta also received the Koizumi Sports Encouragement Award. After graduation, Hotta aims to become a lawyer and tackle challenges in fields where legal frameworks are still developing, such as sports and AI.
(From the "Portrait" section of the public relations magazine "Juku" 2022 AUTUMN (No. 316))
Runner-Up in the Individual All-Japan Fencing ChampionshipsSaki Harada, Second-Year Student, Law School
Last November, Harada won second place in the women's épée at the All-Japan Fencing Championships. Although missing out on a victory to follow the one in 2019, Harada calmly reflects, "I'm more frustrated that I was overwhelmed by the atmosphere and couldn't perform my best, rather than the result itself." Harada started fencing in the fifth grade, "wanting to try a new sport." Eleven years later, Harada is now expected to be a next-generation ace. "It's interesting to assess your opponent's characteristics and build a strategy for the match. It's not just about physical ability; the breadth of your techniques and experience determines the outcome." With an eye on the 2024 Paris Olympics, Harada graduated early from the Faculty of Law this spring and entered the Law School. Harada hopes to address various issues in the sports world from a legal perspective, saying, "I want to contribute to creating an environment where athletes can focus on their competition." The goal is to be both a lawyer and a fencer.
(From the "Portrait" section of the public relations magazine "Juku" 2022 SUMMER (No. 315))
Sharing the Culture of Hometown Amami Through Shima-uta and SanshinMarin Naruse, Third-Year Student, Faculty of Policy Management
From the Edo period, the people of Amami were deprived of their unique culture under the oppressive rule of the Satsuma domain, and they also suffered during the post-war US military occupation. Shima-uta songs contain the lives, hardships, and messages for the next generation of the Amami people. Naruse began learning shima-uta and the sanshin in the third grade of elementary school and has won awards in numerous competitions. Naruse has also performed shima-uta in Hong Kong as a representative of the prefecture. In high school, Naruse won the Grand Prix at the 3rd International Symposium for High School Students for research on the depopulation of Amami. At SFC, Naruse says, "I want to not only share Amami's culture but also think about the region and its traditional culture in a broader context." Since coming to Tokyo, Naruse has actively collaborated with brass bands, orchestras, and jazz musicians. "I want more people of my generation to pay attention to traditional culture." This year, there will also be opportunities to perform abroad.
(From the "Portrait" section of the public relations magazine "Juku" 2022 SPRING (No. 314))
*Affiliations and academic years are as of the time of publication.