Yoko Tsuge

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First Secretary for Public Affairs

Embassy of Japan in the United States

International Development Studies Program (’09)

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Please tell us about your career path so far. What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?

I majored in Mongolian language and area study when I was an undergraduate and I wanted to use what I learned at the university. Working for the Foreign Office was the optimum solution to satisfy my desire to make use of my knowledge and to be involved in something international.

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At the entrance of the US State Department

Since I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, I have been engaged in various areas such as bilateral relations between Japan and Mongolia, anti-money laundering and terrorist financing, Official Development Assistance policy towards China and Mongolia, politics and economy analysis of Slovenia and EU, and cultural exchange and public relations between Japan and Myanmar. As our Ministry covers a wide range of issues and fields, my career path cannot be explained in one word, either.

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I learned a lot through these works but I had always thought that I needed further academic knowledge and background and food for soul as well in order to work as a proficient diplomat. I was extremely lucky to be given the opportunity to study at GRIPS by the Ministry.

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You are currently working as First Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Washington DC. Please tell us about your main responsibilities and duties.

Currently I work for the Public Affairs Section. The section consists of three teams including public relations, education, and cultural affairs. I belong to the culture team and my main responsibility is the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which is the largest festival in Washington, DC area and the most successful showcase of the Japanese arts and culture in the US. Another mission of mine is to explore and establish partnerships with the community members such as various museums and theaters, cultural and educational NGOs, and Japan-America societies etc.. Through these activities, I am trying to promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding among people, which is easy to say but is usually quite challenging.

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What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work? And what have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far?

With Myanmar colleagues in a monastery facility of Yangon

Since I arrived in the US last September, I have been genuinely impressed by the rich human resources available to support and enhance the Japan-US relations. I also have seen many experts and specialists in Japan studies and Japan-US relations though my stay here is still short. Owing to these people’s great efforts in the past and present, the level of our two countries’ relationship is highly developed. It is, however, a kind of challenge to maintain and further promote this relation under the continuously changing circumstances. I also have found it a big challenge for me to reach out to a wider population, especially to the population who are not particularly interested in Japan and to “invite” them to the “Japan world”. ??

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One of the greatest rewards of my job is that this job allows me to meet various interesting people. Some give me enormous encouragements, while others are soul-shaking experiences. I have been so blessed with encounters and meetings and I am always thankful.

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What is the most important thing you got out of your studies here, and how has your experience at GRIPS prepared you for future endeavours? Please also share your fondest memories of your time spent at GRIPS.

One year at GRIPS really was an eye-opening time for me. Great professors and lecturers who are enthusiastic and devote themselves to train the younger generation from all over the world, wonderful friends who generously share their talents and knowledge to help classmates, international classmates

who present different and new perspectives to me……… All these things and experiences are unforgettable and are cherished in my heart. Needless to say, going out and having gatherings with close classmates were great fun!???

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Taking a Slovenian colleague around in Nara

You have been living outside Japan for quite some time. What do you miss about Japan and what do you like about living abroad?

I sometimes miss Japanese food such as delicious sushi and sashimi. Good Japanese books and literatures are always welcome as gifts from Japan too. Some people envy me as I can live abroad and see many things. However, honestly speaking, it is not always easy to start everything from the scratch when you move from one country to another. It usually takes me some time to find friends at a new place. What I do abroad is to try to open my heart to a new life and to see the positive aspects.

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How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life? And what is your

At Myanmar’s first UNESCO world heritage site

favourite thing to do when you are not working?

I tend to be too much serious and

sometimes cannot help but being worried over my responsibilities. One of the things I am trying is to leave office as early as possible so as to have a balance in work and private life. Physical distance often works well in my opinion.?

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In my free time, I like to chat with friends, listen to music, go to concerts and theatres and so on. I am very happy now because Washington, DC caters for almost everything. I also love to look at cooking recipe books and imagine myself as a great cook.

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If you could give one piece of advice to anyone studying at GRIPS what would it be?

GRIPS offers great opportunities and don’t miss them. Try to get involved in Japanese society and culture beyond the campus since you are in Japan.

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How would you like to maintain involvement with the School? What do you expect from GRIPS as an alumnus and do you have any suggestions on how to further utilize the GRIPS alumni

The famous landscape of Bagan, Myanmar

network?

Taking this opportunity, let me express my sincere appreciation for to GRIPS Alumni Office’s efforts to keep each other connected. I would suggest that the GRIPS Alumni Office reaches out to the Japanese Embassy in the respective countries as the Embassy usually has a diplomat who is responsible for Japan Alumni and its networking. Our Embassies are also looking for the chance to closely work with alumni.

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