Applying My Hong Kong Experience to Japan's Globalization

In high school, I liked politics and Japanese language, but I was also interested in biology, especially ecology, so I went back and forth between the humanities and sciences. When it came time to go to university, I couldn't choose just one, so I decided to apply to SFC, where I could study without being confined to either arts or sciences. SFC offers courses in a truly wide variety of fields. During my first and second years, I actively took classes that caught my interest.

Through these studies, I realized that I enjoyed classes on international relations. A prime example is Professor Motohiro Tsuchiya's "International Relations," but many of the courses I chose were themed around the countries of the world. So, I joined Professor Tsuchiya's research group and began to study Hong Kong. I had lived in Hong Kong as a child and had visited many times since, which sparked my interest.

In Hong Kong, many Westerners live and work alongside the local people. I believe that many people of different ethnic backgrounds naturally gather and coexist there, aiming to study economics and improve their skills by engaging in business in Hong Kong, which was once called the world's top financial city.

I thought that the fact that English is an official language might be a major reason why people from all over the world are drawn to Hong Kong. I initially began my research from the perspective of higher education, but I realized that I couldn't grasp the reality just by thinking about it. SFC also encourages students to see and experience things for themselves. So, I decided to take action and find out for myself. I applied for an exchange program at the University of Hong Kong and spent about a year there from the summer of my third year, continuing my research while living in Hong Kong.

Once I actually started living there, I discovered that some people couldn't speak English, that education differed by generation, and that social disparities existed. I also sensed anxiety about the future from my close Hong Kong friends at the University of Hong Kong. Witnessing this reality shifted the perspective of my research. It was also the time when large-scale demonstrations were occurring, and seeing people become divided, I changed the direction of my research to focus on the future of Hong Kong.

I believe that the outbreak of the demonstrations involves a complex mix of factors, including public anxiety about social issues and dissatisfaction with the political and legal systems. However, there are also opposing views among the people of Hong Kong who are concerned about the disruption of the city's functions and economic stagnation. In the future, I want to focus on these differences in opinion and explore questions like whether demonstrations are the right course of action, if there are alternative methods, and how Hong Kong will change as a result of each outcome. I believe that studying Hong Kong, a city that has grown through the collaboration of different countries and values, is to consider how to face a diverse society, and I think this will continue to be an important issue.

In my second year, I organized a talk event at SFC with a friend called "TEDxKeioUSFC." TEDx is an organization that holds global lectures and events with the concept of "ideas worth spreading." At that time, my interests were so broad that I was at a loss as to what I should focus my studies on or what I should delve into more deeply.

SFC has many alumni who are doing amazing things. So, we planned this event to provide an opportunity to hear from many of them at once, hoping it would inspire many students, including myself, to think about what they want to do. We faced various difficulties in organizing it, but with the cooperation of many people at SFC, we were able to make it a success.

In the future, I want to create an environment in a globalizing Japan where everyone can live comfortably while motivating each other to improve. My studies in Hong Kong, where people from all over the world coexist, inspired me to think this way. I believe that Japan will also face a situation similar to Hong Kong's, with an increasing number of foreign nationals in both the workplace and daily life. When that time comes, I want to help change the mindset of Japanese people and contribute to creating an environment where diverse people can coexist.

I have such a grand vision now, but it wasn't until my third year that I found what I "wanted to do" and began to pursue it deeply. Based on that experience, I think SFC is also suitable for people who haven't yet found what they want to research. With a wide variety of classes, unique professors, and being surrounded by senior students who are passionate about their research, you naturally feel a desire to tackle something yourself. By studying what interests you and actively taking part, I'm sure you will find what you "want to do."

SFC CLIP: "Give it a shot!" TEDxKeioUSFC to be held on July 15!

note: Why is rent in Hong Kong so expensive?