Ms. Riko Sakikubo is concluding her 7-week internship at Sojitz Corporation of America with the Japan Internship for the Development of Young Leaders (IDYL) program. Ms. Sakikubo is a graduate student in the International Public Policy Program at The University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy. Before leaving Washington, DC, Ms. Sakikubo was interviewed by CEPEX 2018 Japan Studies Award winner Arianis Blanco on her thoughts of IDYL and her experience:
Why should Japanese students consider the Japan IDYL?
Participating in the IDYL allows Japanese students to improve their English skills, outside of a classroom, at a corporation or an organization. If you want to work internationally in your future career, this is a great opportunity to learn how to communicate professionally or research within your interests. The IDYL focuses on the relationship between the United States of America and Japan, so it is helpful for students to gain further knowledge on it.
While interning at Sojitz Corporation of America, how did you help staff?
I helped write reports on political and economic events as well as translate any necessary information. I also researched individually on the United States’ defense budget and similar topics.
What activities did you do that aligned with your interests or passions?
Since I am interested in the United States’ defense policy, I interviewed multiple experts from various think tanks and companies. It was an opportunity to gain perspectives from Americans and challenge myself by conducting interviews in English.
What will be your fondest memories while interning at Sojitz?
My fondest memories will be meeting people who worked as practitioners, such as experts in DC and people from the Japanese Self-Defense Forces who have worked on the ground. It was great to listen to what they did during their careers since they have different perspectives from people of academic backgrounds.
From the beginning of the internship till now, how have you changed? Have you found new interests or skills?
Throughout the internship, I have tried to become more interactive, as I tend to generally be quiet. Also, I have developed a new interest in understanding the problems of American security policies and the U.S. defense budget.
How do you think your experience with IDYL will help you in the future?
Working in English, either by making appointments, writing reports and summaries or conducting interviews, will help me in the future. My experience also helped me discover another topic of interest to further study.
What advice would you give to incoming IDYL interns?
Do not hesitate to say what you want to seek or what your interests are. Although you will have routine work, it is important to remember your own interests and motivations, so you can get the most out of the experience. This does not necessarily mean to be selfish, but to find a balance.
What should they look forward to?
They should look forward to having an English working experience. Working at a company may be the very first opportunity for most of the students and it will be a good challenge, but it is exciting to go to a new place.
What will be your fondest memory of DC?
Being able to introduce Japanese culture to others and interact with think tank experts, while experiencing an American and Japanese dynamic at Sojitz.
Are there any funny memories?
Another Japanese student and I explained the significance of Valentine’s Day in Japan to our Turkish and Mongolian friends. Japanese Valentine’s Day differs from the States, so people are often surprised to hear about it. It is always fun to have time with other international students and learn about different parts of the world.
What would you advise future interns to see or do in Washington, DC?
Go to the various museums (it is awesome to have FREE museums) and try froyo (frozen yogurt). Also, if you are interested in a career in research, Washington DC is a great place to see the dynamic of American politics and international affairs.
What interesting things should they expect to encounter in the U.S.?
If it is your first time coming to the U.S., strangers will randomly start a conversation with you which Japanese people would normally not do.
What will you miss?
In the United States, the environment is friendlier and more outgoing. Besides this, it is an amazing opportunity to attend think tank events where experts have experience working within the government and have easier access in understanding policymaking.
If you could redo something during the internship, what would you do?
I wish I could do interviews again because I am now more familiar with my research topic and have thought of other questions I could have asked.
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The Japan IDYL (Internship for the Development of Young Leaders) was established with support of the Japanese government and the U.S. Department of State in order to help cultivate future leaders of the U.S.-Japan relationship. For more information about the program, please see: https://culturalvistas.org/programs/specialty/japan-internship-development-young-leaders/
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