【Interview】 What the president thinks about Bizjapan.

Hello. This is Naoko, a 7th batch member from Bizjapan.

Bizjapan gives its members a high level of autonomy and it is a place where you can start and run your project at your own will. Many of you, however, might be wondering: “What are they doing after all?” That’s why I asked our representative various questions that might be interesting for you.

1. Information about Autumn Recruitment

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bizjapan.org/
Website: https://bizjapan.org/en/join/

2. Bizjapan Changed My Values

ーーPlease introduce yourself.　

　I am Hitoshi Kitamura, a sophomore from the faculty of law at the University of Tokyo. I am also the current representative of Bizjapan.

ーーHow do you describe Bizjapan in one word?

　Recently, I call it a “community.” The value of Bizjapan lies in its characteristic as a platform where information, opportunities, and diverse perspectives gather. (Details are in the first article)

(Well... It's somewhat abstract and it's hard to have a concrete image. Let’s ask some more detailed questions!)

ーーWhat kind of activities are you currently participating in Bizjapan?

　I’m currently the representative of Bizjapan and I take on the responsibility of sustaining this community by bringing in new opportunities as well as its management. Personally, I am involved in short-term projects as well as a study group, made up of both members and non-members of Bizjapan, working to participate in a copy writing competition. 

　In my freshman year, I participated in “HASSYADAI COLLEGE”, a project in collaboration with HASSYADAI Inc. In Japan, there exists a chain of poverty where children often end up with similar jobs as their parents due to the opportunity gap. To change this reality, it is necessary to expose blue-collar workers to white-collar job opportunities and broaden their vision. Hence, with the slogan “choose your life”, this project was launched with the passion to inspire and create opportunities for them to surpass the frames that they were born into and explore new possibilities in life.
　For one of the events under the project, we held a workshop that prompted high school students to rethink their future job. Thankfully, the high school gave us an offer to hold the workshop again this year.
　In Komaba Festival (at the University of Tokyo), we held a panel discussion where Shin peita (a popular rapper) and the representative of Hassyadai participated. It became a powerful event concluding that “we don’t need universities any more.”

　This project was established thanks to to personal connections of the senior members of Bizjapan with Hassyadai college. They bring many opportunities to Bizjapan and this is also a strength of Bizjapan. Of course, some people launch projects from scratch.

As you can see, there are many ways to participate in Bizjapan. We could always involve members and companies outside of Bizjapan when we are running our projects.

ーーWere there any changes in you after this experience?

　On one occasion, I asked a person who used to be a delinquent, “Why did you set a fire?” and he replied, “It was the only choice for me.” It seemed like the natural thing to do since everyone else around him did the same.
　 Then he asked me, ”Why did you study so hard to pass the entrance exam of the University of Tokyo?” I replied, “It was the only choice for me.”
　　Suddenly, it struck me that we were fundamentally the same. The view that can been seen in an environment where we grow up is narrow. I realized that both of us had the common point where we chose the choice that we believed was "the only choice available". That, I thought, was a great discovery.

ーーHow often did you participate in Bizjapan?

　We continued to hold meetings once or twice a week for 4 months to plan the workshop. The amount of time you spend in Bizjapan totally depends on the project you are involved in. It could be said that the sooner the deadline of the event is, the busier you will be.　

3. Let’s pursue what you love

ーーDo Bizjapan members have regular activities?

　We have regular meeting once a week, but participation for t not mandatory. We recommend members to actively join opportunities outside of Bizjapan because we expect them to bring in something outside from Bizjapan. Whether you are participating in any Bizjapan projects or not does not define your value in our community. It is great if you are actively engaged in a project, but even if you are not, there is no such thing as a "bad" member.
　We welcome your outside activity considering a wonderful flow. The flow in which everyone shares interesting things that they have encountered outside of Bizjapan.
　If you find ideas or anything that is fascinating and interesting, bring it back to Bizjapan. By sharing it with everyone else, we have the potential to generate something new. We see such actions of sharing and innovating with great importance and hope that this trend will continue in the future. That is why, external activities are more than welcome!

ーーPlease give a message to the current members.

　I genuinely think they are cool . There are many sharp people who can do things I never can do. Whether you're currently active in Bizjapan or not, I just want to say, “Please pursue what you love”.

ーーPlease give a message to the future members.

　If you can embrace the differences in values and perspectives of others, jump into new explorations without hesitation, raise your hand spontaneously, this community will be a great platform for you to broaden your perspectives and soar even higher.
I want to create a community where members can grow individually, such that interesting new ideas can be and will be generated; a place where entrepreneurship will be a constant.
　The goal is not to join the Bizjapan. Before you join Bizjapan, I want you to tell me your passion, what you have been doing to achieve what you want to do in the interview. It doesn't matter whether you join Bizjapan or not. Please continue your challenge to widen your possibility.

ーーThank you Hitoshi! To sum up, it is really up to the individuals to decide what they want to do with the many opportunities provided in Bizjapan!

Photographer
Photos by Kuro-chan; the leader of the Pizzjapan project. Recently he’s been addicted to coffee.