Monthly Meeting

By Jodi Harris, Public Relations and Communications Co-Director As 2017 gets underway, we were pleased to welcome health coach Katheryn Gronauer for a new and interesting perspective on the food we eat. A lifelong yo-yo dieter who struggled with weight and body image, Katheryn started by inviting us to connect with her own experience. She…

By Lisa Matsumoto, Public Relations & Communications Intern Our second meeting of the year took place on October 13 where we explored the culture of the kimono with Dr. Sheila Cliffe, kimono specialist and professor at Jumonji University, and Chizuko Takahashi and Tomoko Yoshida of Kimono Tango, a small women-run company that recycles kimono obi…

By Lisa Matsumoto, Public Relations & Communications Intern The new FEW year kicked off on September 8th, as members and guests came together for our monthly meeting where we learned what diversity and inclusion can do for us in our workplaces and communities. Our guest speaker was Janelle Sasaki, a third generation Japanese-American who is…

By Marie Mortreux, Public Relations and Communications Intern FEW’s July meeting was the last before a one-month summer break. The meeting focused on Feng Shui, or fu-sui in Japanse. Our guest speaker was Master of Feng Shui Jodi Brunner, who is based in Nigata where’s also proprietor of a Japanese restaurant with her husband. The meeting was moderated…

By Marie Mortreux, Public Relations and Communications Intern Our June 2016 meeting focused on contrasting social businesses and traditional businesses. Two successful women were invited to talk about their experiences in both the corporate and social enterprise sectors: Megumi Hagiuda, founder and CEO of AFRIKA ROSE, and Angela Ortiz, CSR Manager at H&M Japan. The panel was…

By Lisa Matsumoto, Public Relations & Communications Intern Both members and guests alike joined FEW’s monthly meeting on May 12 to learn more about what it’s like to work at a world-renowned company like Google. Speaking on her experiences as a woman working in the tech industry, we were fortunate enough to hear from Miki…

By Marie Mortreux, Public Relations and Communications Intern Few’s April 2016 meeting gathered many members and guests interested in learning more about the experience of four successful female journalists living and working in Japan: Anna Fifield, Tokyo Bureau Chief for The Washington Post and a Nieman Fellow at Harvard University; Tomoko Otake, staff writer, editor and deputy manager…

By Marie Mortreux, Public Relations and Communications Intern FEW’s March 2016 meeting addressed one issue that is of much debate: The refugee crisis in Syria. Two impressive guests were invited to share their experiences in dealing with refugees and providing solutions for improving the condition of these individuals: Professor Akiko Yamanaka, Special Ambassador for Peacebuilding and…

By Marie Mortreux, PR & Communications Intern FEW’s February 2016 meeting introduced two Community Service Strategic Partners who take an active role in helping communities throughout Japan: Mirai no Mori and Second Harvest Japan. Vice Chair Jeff Jensen and Program Director Kozue Oka spoke on behalf of Mirai no Mori and Mana Nishioka represented Second Harvest Japan. The…