A fruitful stay in Japan, grateful to meet everyone
Last month, I was invited to a Judo Class in Japan (Takahagi City, Ibaraki) and made a round trip to Japan. In this article I would like to tell you about my activities as well as the meetings I had with various people.
1. Highlights of Japan
My mission JUDO is the same, but a lot of content filled activities
(1) Met and dined with my dream Prof. Kaori Yamaguchi (May 7th @ Tokyo)
I was very nervous, but with a bit of help from alcohol we talked about being a woman, a mother, and a Judoka.
(2) Judo Class in Ibaraki (May 14th @ Takahagi)
My main mission of the trip to Japan. The experience with the 60 kids made me notice the difference between Japan and the US.
(3) Met with Koji Murofushi, Commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency (May 18th @ Tokyo)
The other main event was the meeting with the legendary Koji Murofushi – we agreed on a collaboration of Budo (Martial Arts) Tourism – an activity the agency is pursuing.
(4) Meeting with ACS(Adidas Combat Sport) Japan (May 18th @Tokyo)
Met with ACS Japan, Exclusive Distributor for the Combat Sports Products of Adidas, and agreed that I will be on their webpage starting June.
(5) Meetings with Supporters (May 18th @Hand, May 20th @ Kyoto, etc)
Visited Mizkan Headquarters in the same hometown as mine, as well as Ryukoku
University, my base camp in Japan. They both agreed on their continuous support.
1. Individual Events
(1) The 1st GKJN Judo Class in Japan
This is the largest mission of my trip to Japan. The dojo that one of my Alumni is coaching at invited me to coach. My objective was to feel the difference between Japan and the US after being in the US for a few years now. This is the first GKJN Judo Class in Japan.
(The inaugural year of GKJN was in the midst of COVID and couldn’t do anything)
In the US, due to the language barrier, people would listed to me and try hard to understand, but in Japan since it’s my mother language, my skills are being purely evaluated.
Being careful about each word I say, but had an objective to make everyone smile. I had a fun but tough 3 hours together. It’s been a while since the last time I coached kids in Japan. They have high skills but also a very good manners. “Freedom” vs “Obedience” I cannot say which is more important, but did feel that taking the advantages of both would convey the beauty of JUDO and thus connecting the kids around the globe.
Thanks to kids in Takahagi – Next time, you’re gonna work out with US Kids
Fun but tough warm up.
It’s great that even small Kids listen seriously to the technical guidance!!
This is the goodness and characteristic of Japan~!!
They all check in details of what was taught. It’s true that serious kids are worth coaching…
Smiles after class is a Global Language!! Next time it’s with US Kids. Please study English!!
(2) A nervous meeting with Koji Murofushi, Commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency (May 18th @ Japan Sports Agency – JSA)
Everyone in Japan knows Mr. Koji Murofushi (Hammer Throw, Gold Medalist at the Athens Olympics) I was granted an opportunity to meet with him. Being the Commissioner of JSA alone is a great accomplishment, but to me he is a legend in the athletes world, which made me very nervous.
In the interview, he listed to what GKJN does and commented that he’d support it. Also he had made a proposal on a potential collaboration with the Budo (Martial Arts) Tourism which is a project let by JSA. After our interview, he did have meetings with the team and came back to me with detailed ideas.
If I can contribute to the activities of the Japanese Government, I would be honored to do so. I am grateful for Mr. Murofushi to spend his time with me.
He was a gentleman, with an Aura
(3) Meeting & Dinner with the Judo Legend, Kaori Yamaguchi (May 7th @ Tokyo)
Last time I met was during the daytime – this time it was for Dinner!!! Ms. Yamaguchi (currently a Professor at Tsukuba University) is a Pioneer and a Legend in the Women’s Judo World. I get excited every time I meet her, but also a bit nervous with she being a legend. But she is so friendly and frank – I can only thank her for her hospitality. She spent a long time with me giving me advice being a experienced Judoka, Woman, and a Mother. She said that she’d like to do something together. Wow!! And she’s a strong drinker too. I too will be a Pioneer in Judo in the United States!!
With Prof. Yamaguchi, and Ms. Nagata (Writer)
3. Lastly
I also visited Mizkan – a global company from my home town, Handa City, ACS (Adidas Combat Sports) – very popular DOGI from Adidas, Ryukoku University – where I am a special coach – all of them having a positive feedback which made me believe in myself.
Also, everything in Japan was delicious!!!
Everyone was helpful with my son in the flight. Very thankful for the great people around me.
