Global Shapers Community Okinawa Hub
OUR TEAM
Okinawa Hub aims to encourage young people to actively express their individuality.
Aiming to realize a diverse society, the World Economic Forum community
We will develop projects that connect Okinawa to the world and local communities.
SHAPERS
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CURATOR
Marimo Higa - Marimo Higa -
Ryukyu Mirai Co., Ltd.
Raised in Okinawa. After graduating from high school, he studied languages in Canada and the Philippines. I have experience studying abroad in philosophy on the theme of "What is happiness?" in Costa Rica and Uruguay. With the goal of becoming a person who can contribute to world peace, she was involved in the management of the Okinawa City Children's Council for next-generation education and support for international exchange for multicultural understanding, but is currently on childcare leave. She is currently preparing a night nursery school project that incorporates Montessori essence, focusing on her own childcare experience and poverty issues in Okinawa.
Vice Curator
Rika Takagi -
Keio University/HelloWorld Inc.
Born in Fukushima City, currently living in Okinawa City. Currently enrolled in economics at Keio University correspondence course. He became interested in the connections between people after experiencing the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear power plant accident as a child. He spent three years in Germany learning about community development and social capital through sports. ``It's interesting because everyone is different!'' Aiming to realize a colorful society full of individuality, we opened Spaghetti Ice in Koza, Okinawa City, and with HelloWorld, we spread ``Machinaka Study Abroad'' and ``WorldClassroom'', which were born in Okinawa, all over the world. He continues to engage in activities that bring people together peacefully and communicate this information to the world.
Impact Officer
Erika Makishi -
Okinawa Prefectural Yaeyama Hospital General Medical Department Physician / Okinawa Medical Community Nuchigusui / PROJECT50 Medical Health Field Participation
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. Doctor of general medicine department, Okinawa Prefectural Yaeyama Hospital. 40th Urasoe City Tourism Goodwill Ambassador Tedako Lady. Specializes in general medical care, community medicine, SDH, and primary care. When he was young, he learned about the Manhole Children in Mongolia and dreams of working in a developing country in the future. When he was a medical student, he visited orphanages, schools, non-medical clinics, refugee camps, etc. overseas. Questioning Okinawa's lack of options, and realizing that issues such as education and poverty are directly linked to health problems, in 2021 he founded and operates Nuchigusui, a medical community that cares about Okinawa. He also became interested in creating a city where people can naturally become healthy just by living there, and studied medical design at Street Medical School. Currently, while working as a doctor at a general hospital on Ishigaki Island, he is participating in Project 50, an initiative led by young Okinawan entrepreneurs, and is creating a proposal in the medical and health field for the next 50 years.
Tetsushin Tamaki -
rokuyou Co., Ltd. / Former Hana Warabi representative
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. Obtained an elementary school teacher's license and a middle and high school teacher's license (English) at Kansai University of Foreign Studies, and after graduating, worked as a public elementary school teacher in Osaka Prefecture. Sensing issues with the current education in Japan, after returning to Okinawa Prefecture, he launched a multigenerational education platform that conducts inquiry learning for high school students and programming education for elementary school students. Also, after being involved in the Uruma City career education project "Mira Kanai" as a career education coordinator, he joined Roku You, which is based in Okinawa Prefecture. Currently involved in implementing inquiry learning and developing teaching materials at high schools in Okinawa Prefecture.
Marin Matsuda -
Graphic Recording Co., Ltd.
Born in Shuri. CEO of Graphic Recording Co., Ltd. Learned graphic recording by himself while attending university. His experience working as a ``note taker'' who summarizes lecture content alongside hearing-impaired students is useful in his current work as a graphic recorder. Graphic recording is being used in many settings, including NHK live broadcasts and Akira Ikegami's lectures, as well as major companies and the educational field. He was featured in a special feature on TV Tokyo's ``Ikiru wo Convey'' as a graphic recording guru.
Akihiro Shiraishi -
Director of Hot Okinawa Research Institute Co., Ltd.
After spending his elementary and junior high school years in Tokyo and his high school years in Okinawa, he entered Keio University's Faculty of Environment and Information Studies in 2012. Joined a consulting company in Tokyo as a new graduate. Engaged in business improvement/core system introduction project for a trading company and strategic planning project for a telecommunications company. In 2018, he returned to Okinawa and assumed his current position. Engaged in projects within the prefecture and government projects at Kabu Hot Research Institute. Wansaka Oura Park (Hokubu Roadside Station) Officer/Okinawa Sports Related Industry Promotion Association Auditor/Japan Workation Association Official Concierge for Okinawa Main Island
Yoshimiri Namamine -
Ryukyu classical music performanceMusician/Director of Uzashichi Lab
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. In order to pass down Okinawan's traditional performing art, Kumiodori, to the next generation, he works as a sanshin performer. Uzashichi Lab holds workshops and concerts to propose new ways to enjoy traditional performing arts. At NHK's ``Songs and Dances of Okinawa,'' for which he is the director, he is searching for ways to convey the appeal of performing arts through video.
Tomohiro Taira -
rokuyou Co., Ltd.
Born and raised in Shuri. After entering Okinawa International University (Japanese language teacher, majoring in Ryukyu culture), he joined the High School Baseball Federation. Planned Okinawa music festivals both within and outside the prefecture, and planned Okinawa sightseeing tours for participating university students from outside the prefecture. After graduating, he worked in Tokyo as a sales representative for Okinawan ingredients, awamori, and crafts, while also working as an Okinawa school trip advisor and awamori advisor. Currently, he is based in Okinawa and works with boards of education and school teachers to create learning mechanisms.
Nao Kubo - Nao Kubo -
Kazamidori Co., Ltd. President and Representative Director
Kazamidori was founded with the vision of ``creating a society where all children can hold the reins of their lives, regardless of the environment in which they were born.'' We are developing two brands: ``Tsuchi to Ne,'' a baby food that gives parents peace of mind, and ``Gohanjikan,'' a home-cooked meal for families with children. We also provide meals to local children using lost ingredients from our home-cooked meals. In Okinawa, we are launching a specialized cram school for comprehensive selection.
Naomi Iwazawa - Naomi Iwazawa -
Culmony Co., Ltd. / University of Tokyo Graduate School
Culmony Co., Ltd. Representative Director / Doctoral student at the University of Tokyo Graduate School Founded Culmony when he was a high school student with the aim of creating a diverse society that values “differences.” We provide schools and companies with educational programs that promote interest in and understanding of different cultures. He also gives lectures and writes. My research field is learning environment design to support learning of intercultural competency. Roots in Japan and Czech Republic.
Natsuhiko Yamada-
Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital
Graduated from Tokyo Medical and Dental University School of Medicine in 2022. Currently a trainee at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital. Engaged in basic research as a student and studied abroad at Imperial College London for half a year. Co-authored a paper on cellular metabolism and won Willy Top Cited Article. Completed Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Big data analysis, etc. from Harvard and Stanford. He received the Outstanding Leadership Award and the Visionaries Award for his philanthropic activities that focus on the social determinants of health in order to correct health disparities. At Tokyo 2020, he served as Volunteer Lead and has been working as a volunteer for Médecins Sans Frontières. Participated in Global Shapers to correct health disparities in Okinawa Prefecture and revitalize the region and Japan from a social epidemiological perspective.
Maia Kina -
Okinawa Cellular Telephone Co., Ltd.
I joined the company as a new graduate and belong to the new business development group in the business creation department, where I am working on new business development aimed at solving Okinawa's problems.
She also serves as the 45th Miss Hibiscus, a tourism goodwill ambassador for her hometown Okinawa City, promoting the charms of Okinawa City both inside and outside the prefecture.
Graduated from the Department of Tourism Science, Faculty of Tourism Industry and Science, University of the Ryukyus in 2022. During her student days, she took advantage of her experience studying abroad in Singapore to serve as the Ryukyu Awamori Goodwill Ambassador, the 34th Awamori Queen, and worked in public relations for Lagoon, a business support facility.
Ryogo Maeda - Ryogo Maeda -
Representative of next generation cram school
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. After graduating from high school, he moved to Tokyo to enter the Faculty of Commerce at Keio University. Feeling the disparity in opportunities between Okinawa and Tokyo in all aspects, he took a leave of absence during his second year of university and founded NEXTGENERATION, a cram school in Okinawa. The current 3rd batch of graduates are being produced primarily from universities outside of the prefecture, and they are working on their 4th batch. Starting this year, he will also be involved in the development of inquiry learning materials for schools and the private sector, aiming to realize customized education in order to achieve the vision of "education for as many people as there are people" through public and private education.
Ami Ninomiya - Ami Ninomiya -
Manatee Co., Ltd.
Director of Project Manati (10th Good Life Award Executive Committee Special Award), Representative of Litterati Japan (Ministry of the Environment/Nippon Foundation Marine Litter Zero Award 2019 Idea Category Award winner). Director of the Sea and Japan Project in Okinawa Prefecture, a general incorporated association. Born in 1995, from Gunma Prefecture. Graduated from the Department of Subtropical Bioresource Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of the Ryukyus. Engage in environmental activities centered on “increasing choices and actions that are kind to you and the earth”
Haruka Uezato -
NPO 10,000 People Idobata Conference Staff / Vice-chairman, Okinawa Prefecture Youth Red Cross Volunteer Corps / Director, Disaster Platform Okinawa General Incorporated Association
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. Joined an NPO whose philosophy is to ``build a community and school for 10,000 people from the perspective of social education.'' As a staff member at a community center designated by the city, I am currently working on creating a system to solve education and welfare issues using local power. Despite suffering from an intractable immune system disease, in addition to his day job, he is a member of various volunteer organizations, working on the healthy development of children, disaster prevention and mitigation activities, and dissemination of Red Cross first aid methods.
Taichi Tsuji -
Umusan Lab Co., Ltd.
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. After graduating from high school, spent 6 years in Canada and 1 year in Taiwan. After returning to Japan, he worked at Softbank, where he worked on an alliance project with Google. At Dialpad Japan, he is responsible for partner alliance marketing. After that, we will develop renewable energy business, social business support business, and career education business for elementary, junior high, and high school students. From April 2013, he joined Umusan Lab Co., Ltd. as Chief People Officer.
Taichi Tsuji -
Umusan Lab Co., Ltd.
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. After graduating from high school, spent 6 years in Canada and 1 year in Taiwan. After returning to Japan, he worked at Softbank, where he worked on an alliance project with Google. At Dialpad Japan, he is responsible for partner alliance marketing. After that, we will develop renewable energy business, social business support business, and career education business for elementary, junior high, and high school students. From April 2013, he joined Umusan Lab Co., Ltd. as Chief People Officer.
Taichi Tsuji -
Umusan Lab Co., Ltd.
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. After graduating from high school, spent 6 years in Canada and 1 year in Taiwan. After returning to Japan, he worked at Softbank, where he worked on an alliance project with Google. At Dialpad Japan, he is responsible for partner alliance marketing. After that, we will develop renewable energy business, social business support business, and career education business for elementary, junior high, and high school students. From April 2013, he joined Umusan Lab Co., Ltd. as Chief People Officer.
Taichi Tsuji -
Umusan Lab Co., Ltd.
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. After graduating from high school, spent 6 years in Canada and 1 year in Taiwan. After returning to Japan, he worked at Softbank, where he worked on an alliance project with Google. At Dialpad Japan, he is responsible for partner alliance marketing. After that, we will develop renewable energy business, social business support business, and career education business for elementary, junior high, and high school students. From April 2013, he joined Umusan Lab Co., Ltd. as Chief People Officer.
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Kunihiro Shimoji -
COO of EF Polymer Co., Ltd.
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. After working at a US think tank (Washington DC) and a foreign consulting company (Tokyo), he made a U-turn in August 2020. While working in the Office of the President of Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), where he was involved in industry-government-academia collaboration, he met Narayan, the founder and CEO of EF Polymer. Narayan joined EF Polymer because he resonated with his vision of leveraging the technology developed in India and established at OIST to solve the water shortage problem that plagues farmers around the world and realize sustainable agriculture. As a business development manager, he is involved in business development outside Japan with Japanese and Indian members.
ALUMNI
FOUNDING CURATOR
Taichi Tsuji -
Umusan Lab Co., Ltd.
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. After graduating from high school, spent 6 years in Canada and 1 year in Taiwan. After returning to Japan, he worked at Softbank, where he worked on an alliance project with Google. At Dialpad Japan, he is responsible for partner alliance marketing. After that, we will develop renewable energy business, social business support business, and career education business for elementary, junior high, and high school students. From April 2013, he joined Umusan Lab Co., Ltd. as Chief People Officer.
OUTGOING CURATOR2022
Kunihiro Shimoji -
COO of EF Polymer Co., Ltd.
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. After working at a US think tank (Washington DC) and a foreign consulting company (Tokyo), he made a U-turn in August 2020. While working in the Office of the President of Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST), where he was involved in industry-government-academia collaboration, he met Narayan, the founder and CEO of EF Polymer. Narayan joined EF Polymer because he resonated with his vision of leveraging the technology developed in India and established at OIST to solve the water shortage problem that plagues farmers around the world and realize sustainable agriculture. As a business development manager, engaged in business development outside Japan with Japanese and Indian members.
TOKYO & OKINAWA HUB ALUMNI
Tomoko Teruya - Tomoko Teruya -
Waseda University Educational Research Institute
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. Founder of NGO Yuimar. We provide independence support to foster self-esteem for orphans in Mongolia, and have achieved a 90% university entrance rate and 100% employment rate for orphans. In 2015, he participated in the Davos Conference and was selected as a member to exchange opinions with President Hollande of France, and held a dialogue with President Elbegdorj of Mongolia. For one year starting in 2016, he will travel to impoverished and conflict zones around the world. Research collaborator at Waseda University Educational Research Institute since 2019.
Hitoshi Uema -
Support Engineer / ChiCaRo.inc CTO
Born in Okinawa Prefecture. After graduating from the University of the Ryukyus, he moved to Tokyo to join SoftBank Corp. As an engineer, he is responsible for building and operating Softbank's network, one of the largest in Japan, developing solutions for corporations, and planning solutions that utilize 5G/AI/IoT. Responsible for creating materials for Career LIVE, etc. where Managing Director and Chairman Son appear on stage. From November 2020, he will be responsible for planning training courses for solutions provided by Ericsson Japan Co., Ltd. and building and operating NW as a Support Engineer. In parallel with his main job, he works as an AI engineer in his private life, as well as planning, producing, and launching websites and serving as an IT advisor.
Atsuko Oku - Atsuko Oku -
ChiCaRo Co., Ltd.
Graduated from Hiroshima University in 2017. As the eldest of five children, she supports child-rearing while attending school, and has developed an awareness of the burdens and concerns of child-rearing. In 2019, I joined ChiCaRo because I sympathized with the founder's philosophy of ``I want to improve child-rearing through the power of technology.'' The service received a great response after its launch in 2020. In 2021, he became president and representative director with the aim of expanding the business. Currently, as a mother of one child, she is developing a business that utilizes her own experience of raising children.
Atsuko Oku - Atsuko Oku -
ChiCaRo Co., Ltd.
Graduated from Hiroshima University in 2017. As the eldest of five children, she supports child-rearing while attending school, and has developed an awareness of the burdens and concerns of child-rearing. In 2019, I joined ChiCaRo because I sympathized with the founder's philosophy of ``I want to improve child-rearing through the power of technology.'' The service received a great response after its launch in 2020. In 2021, he became president and representative director with the aim of expanding the business. Currently, as a mother of one child, she is developing a business that utilizes her own experience of raising children.
Atsuko Oku - Atsuko Oku -
ChiCaRo Co., Ltd.
Graduated from Hiroshima University in 2017. As the eldest of five children, she supports child-rearing while attending school, and has developed an awareness of the burdens and concerns of child-rearing. In 2019, I joined ChiCaRo because I sympathized with the founder's philosophy of ``I want to improve child-rearing through the power of technology.'' The service received a great response after its launch in 2020. In 2021, he became president and representative director with the aim of expanding the business. Currently, as a mother of one child, she is developing a business that utilizes her own experience of raising children.