My name is Yodai Tanaka, I am a senior at Hokkaido University in Japan. I am majoring in Law and Political Science with a concentration in International Law and American Politics. I was born and raised in Hokkaido Japan, but studied abroad twice in the U.S.  From August 2011 to August 2012, I was a Rotary exchange student in New York. Desiring an even greater global perspective, from August 2017 to May 2018, I returned to the U.S. to study at the Ohio State University. I am also a member of Nitobe College Program at my university to develop leadership and communication as well as improving my mindsets and skillsets to participate in the global society in the future.

I am currently in Washington, DC as a Japan Internship for Development of Young Leaders (IDYL) program participant. IDYL Program was designed by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Department of State in order to cultivate future leaders of the U.S.-Japan relationship. I am extremely grateful that I can work and exchange opinions with professionals in the field of U.S.-Japan relationships, gaining more expertise and wider views through this program.

Besides professional skills, I’m eager to learn about the deeper culture of the U.S. including its history, social issues, and values. Of particular interest are topics which the greater public in Japan doesn’t recognize yet. During my internship, there’ll be many opportunities such as celebrating American holidays that can help me understand U.S. customs and politics from an intimate perspective. I also want to break down stereotyped ideas and images the American media associate with Japan. Japanese culture is often see as a novelty in other countries; but it’s so much more than sushi and anime — It’s about Omotenashi (extreme Japanese hospitality) and Hanami (cherry blossom viewing)… These are sacred traditions — central to a Japanese identity, yet have been long overlooked. I’m sure there are many more aspects of the Japanese identity that could be clarified. So beyond gaining professional skills in the U.S., I’m hoping to discuss Japanese customs with people in the U.S.