Career Paths and Qualifications

What kind of work are you doing now?

What is rewarding about your current job?

What motivated you to pursue your current job?

Do you have any memorable memories from classes or seminars in Faculty of Letters during your student days?

Do you ever feel like what you learned at university is still useful?

The "Expression Culture" that I studied is a field of study that requires you to ask yourself questions and think until you are satisfied, because there is not necessarily one answer. I feel that this attitude of pursuing "why?" is very useful in my current job. When I have even the smallest questions at work, I pursue them by asking "why?", researching until I am satisfied and asking my seniors and superiors. Even if things at first seem unrelated, I think that by thinking about whether there is some connection, I am able to make proposals and guidance that please customers. I feel that this attitude of pursuing is something that I cultivated through my studies at university.

What do you think is the appeal of Soka University's Faculty of Letters?

Please tell us your future goals!

Currently, I mainly work at stations, but my immediate goal is to become a train conductor. A conductor must actually ride trains and strive to ensure safe operation. This will be a job that involves more people's lives than it does now, but two events during my job search made me want to create safety with my own hands, which is why I applied to my current company, and I want to make that happen.

A message to students Faculty of Letters

Make sure you have "antennas that can detect countless hidden paths (possibilities)." I accepted various events that occurred during my job search and the advice of my professors with an open mind, asked myself questions, and believed in my own potential, which led me to join my current company. These countless hidden paths already exist all around you. It's up to you whether or not you can detect them. Perhaps the opportunity has already come along, or it may come tomorrow. I believe this is an important thing not only for job hunting, but for life in general. Live your college life with your antennas up so that you can detect the countless hidden paths.

A message to future students of Faculty of Letters Faculty of Letters and applicants)

"Does Faculty of Letters directly lead to employment? Will the knowledge I've learned be useful in the future?" I'm sure there are many people who have such concerns. I studied American theater and now I work at a train station, but I have never mentioned the names or authors of the literary works I learned at university at work. Still, I feel that what I learned at Soka University's Faculty of Letters is definitely being put to good use. I don't think there is any need to forcefully link what you learn at university with your career path after graduation. Why not set aside your future for the time being and think about what you want to do now and try to put it into practice? I am convinced that those who can cherish every moment now will definitely find a way. I wholeheartedly support each and every one of you as you take the exam so that you can move forward on the path that will make you shine the most.

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What kind of work are you doing now?

After working at Yokohama City Hall for four years, I passed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Specialist Employee Recruitment Examination in 2020 and have been working as a Foreign Affairs Officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since April 2021. Currently in my first year, I am a trainee and worked in the department that handles political relations with China and Mongolia (China-Mongolia First Division) for the first six months, and am currently assigned to the department that handles safety measures and protection of Japanese nationals in relation to terrorism overseas (Japanese National Terrorism Countermeasures Office). Although I am a trainee, I work hard from morning to night every day to acquire practical skills through on-the-job training.

What is rewarding about your current job?

The trainees' daily work involves mainly handling general affairs matters so that the entire division's operations can run smoothly. As part of this, although it is still at the level of helping out senior staff, they also deal with Diet and press inquiries and respond to requests from lawmakers, which gives them a glimpse behind the scenes of diplomatic and political matters as seen on the news.

The work is constantly influenced by the domestic and world situations, and there are tasks that require quick responses, a large amount of work, and speed. I am unfamiliar with the work, but I am putting my all into it, even though I am being pushed around, and I feel that I am growing every day.

I have also had the opportunity to closely observe the demeanor and working methods of senior staff members who work late into the night every day and respond calmly and quickly to unexpected issues. I have also learned a lot from occasionally hearing about their experiences in the field of diplomacy.

What motivated you to pursue your current job?

Do you have any memorable memories from classes or seminars in Faculty of Letters during your student days?

Another memorable memory is the small-group "Basic Seminar" that first-year students belonged to throughout the academic year. The late Professor Junichi Yamazaki was in charge of this class, and he always warmly encouraged and watched over me, even though I was almost always absent from school during high school. I still remember his personality and work hard every day. Also, in the same seminar, I met a friend who was aiming to become a diplomat at the time and would later take the exam with me, and I was inspired by him. At the time, I had not yet thought about becoming a diplomat, but when I decided to take the exam while studying abroad and contacted him, he said, "When we return to Japan, let's share a room and study together," and generously introduced me to various information about the exam and human relationships. I feel that meeting him led me to my current career path.

Do you ever feel like what you learned at university is still useful?

What do you think is the appeal of Soka University's Faculty of Letters?

I think the word that sums it up is "warm." The professors are very considerate, in keeping with the founder's philosophy of "students first," and I feel that the students feel at ease and have an environment where they can openly express their individual personalities and characters.

I also feel that the Faculty of Letters at Soka University was like a "trampoline" for life. It was a place where people like me who had skipped school or experienced setbacks in high school could make a fresh start and try again. As long as you were prepared for some hardship and had the motivation, everyone would cheer you on and support you, regardless of your current abilities.

Please tell us your future goals!

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has an interpreter system, and mid-level employees with excellent language skills are responsible for interpreting when the Prime Minister or the Minister of Foreign Affairs attends international conferences and holds important meetings. My immediate goal is to become a Prime Minister's interpreter. Starting this June, I will be given the opportunity to study abroad at a university (or graduate school) in China for two years as part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas training program after joining the ministry. There, I would like to further hone my Chinese language skills and expertise, and then, while working at an embassy or consulate, I would like to learn how to do the job and acquire the skills necessary to be a Prime Minister's interpreter.

My long-term goal is to become a first-class diplomat who is recognized both within and outside the ministry as a China expert.

A message to students Faculty of Letters

People often ask, "Why Faculty of Letters in this day and age when specialization is so important?" However, I believe that even before specialization, it is important to hone one's "human abilities" in order to keep one's feet on the ground and run through life to the end, rather than focusing on fame and fortune.

Literature is born out of a painful interpretation of life, and the name "Faculty of Letters Department of Human Studies" implies that we will continue to create value by confronting "human beings," that is, life and the world, head-on. The following guideline given by our founder when he named our school "Faculty of Letters Department of Human Studies" expresses this clearly.

A message to future students (and applicants) of Faculty of Letters

I think that among those who are currently aiming to take the entrance exam for Faculty of Letters, there are some who are struggling to study in a difficult environment, and there are also some who want to work hard but are struggling because their studies are not progressing as they would like.
Even in these circumstances, we would like to share with you the words of our founder to help you move forward a little bit each day.

"Happiness is not the absence of suffering. Happiness is not the ability to give in and to endure. It is the ability to walk the path of one's mission calmly and with composure, even when one is under pressure and people around one say, "That person has it tough." Let us not forget that happiness is a flower that blooms in the soil of perseverance. This is the way to walk as a true human being."

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What kind of work are you doing now?

I play the traditional Japanese instrument, the koto.
In addition to the koto performance group "Waon," I am also a member of the Japanese musical instrument group "En," which consists of koto, Japanese drums, and Tsugaru shamisen, and we perform in concerts all over the country, at New Year's celebrations and events, and also support other artists with vocals, dance, etc. In addition to performing, I also compose and arrange music, and am in charge of concerts, weddings, and stage music.

What is rewarding about your current job?

What motivated you to pursue your current job?

Do you have any memorable memories from classes or seminars in Faculty of Letters during your student days?

I remember fondly the literary walks I took with Professor Shimizu Shigeo, who taught me "modern literature" at the time.
There are many places in Tokyo that are associated with literary figures, and the professor and about 10 students visited their cemeteries and birthplaces several times.

Following in the footsteps of the literary figures I learned about in class allowed me to learn about the environment in which they created their works through the sounds and atmosphere of the town, which led to a very deep learning experience. In particular, when I walked through Koishikawa Botanical Garden, which appears in Torahiko Terada's short story "Acorns," I remember the content of the short story coming closer to me as a real scene. I now have precious memories of talking about various things with Professor Shimizu as we walked.

Do you ever feel like what you learned at university is still useful?

As words like "diversity" and "division" become more commonplace these days, I have begun to think more about the differences between myself and others.

It is easy to view those with whom we cannot understand as enemies, but "mutual understanding" is essential to a cultural life as human beings, and above all, accepting different ways of thinking leads to personal growth.

The way various forms of expression such as novels, movies, paintings, poetry, music, and comedy are interpreted by each reader based on their own thoughts and experiences, and there will be 10 different ways for 10 people. No matter how you interpret something, it is always correct. Affirming various ways of interpretation means accepting the differences between yourself and others, and accepting the world as it is. I believe that Faculty of Letters is where you can learn this.

The "diversity of interpretation" that I learned about in my "Modern Literature" class directly translates into an understanding of "human diversity" and "cultural diversity."

What do you think is the appeal of Soka University's Faculty of Letters?

What makes me glad about studying at Soka University is the opportunities I have met with the other students.
To borrow the words of Mr. Kikuchi, who I mentioned earlier, Soka University is the world's top educational institution, and not just in terms of IQ (intelligence quotient), but in terms of EQ. EQ is a concept that is now spreading around the world as a new standard, and it can also be called "emotional intelligence quotient."

Like my classmates at the time, everyone had their own philosophy or a desire to explore their inner world and devoted themselves to their studies. I believe that being able to study with such students is a unique value of Soka University.
Furthermore, the Faculty of Faculty of Letters deals with academic fields that enrich life. Literature, philosophy, art, humanities, and other academic fields seek to gain a deeper understanding of human beings. Many of the students who gather there are unique and quirky. However, by studying with such peers, sometimes clashing, and gaining a variety of experiences, I believe that your humanity will expand in many layers and you will become a more attractive and profound person.

Please tell us your future goals!

A message to students Faculty of Letters

When I was in high school, a senior student told me something I still remember well: "Going to college is for those who couldn't go to college."
Of course, what you learn will be of use to you, but for what purpose and for whom will you use what you have learned? Always ask yourself "for what purpose" as you study.
Whether it's a part-time job or studying, if you think about "why" you do it, you'll find a purpose other than just "making money" or "getting credits" and you'll grow as a person. Compared to Faculty of Law or the Faculty of Economics and Management, what you learn in Faculty of Letters is often not directly related to business or commerce. That's why I think it's important to work without losing sight of "why."

A message to future students (and applicants) of Faculty of Letters

I think your age is the most worrying time of your life. When I was in high school, I had endless worries about my relationships and my inner self. For example, when I was angry, I couldn't be satisfied unless my friends were equally angry, and I was in despair that no one would understand me. However, I now realize that those emotions were an irreplaceable part of myself.

Faculty of Letters students are particularly people who try to express themselves, and this is also true for those involved in fields such as literature (poetry, novels, etc.), music, comedy, etc. - you are the only you in the world who cannot be invaded by anyone. Any worries you may have will eventually become a lovable aspect that shapes you. For those who are creative, they will grow into an important part of your individuality.

In any case, please value your own sensibilities, listen to what your seniors and teachers have to say, and work hard at your studies, hobbies, part-time jobs, etc.

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What kind of work are you doing now?

What is rewarding about your current job?

The students at Tongji University are very talented. They are ambitious, proactive, and always positive. In Shanghai, one of the world's leading economic cities, being able to speak Japanese is not a big advantage. Even if you can speak Japanese, you can only use it in Japan. It would be more useful for the future to improve your English or learn other languages. However, they are learning Japanese, enjoying Japanese culture, and trying to get to know Japanese society. As a Japanese person, I feel truly grateful. The days I can spend with the young people who will carry the future of Sino-Japanese friendship are irreplaceable.

When the coronavirus infection began to spread, the Tongji University Foreign Language Institute sent out a message to the world saying, "Let's get through this together!" I posted the message together with my colleague (he wrote it in Chinese and I translated it into Japanese).

What motivated you to pursue your current job?

I grew up on a remote island called Tsushima in Nagasaki Prefecture. From an early age, I longed for the world outside the island, and as I grew up, I began to think, "I want to study abroad. I want to work overseas." When I was in high school, an ALT teacher from New Zealand asked me about Japanese culture, but I couldn't explain it well. Therefore, I decided to study Japanese culture at university and entered the Department of Japanese Language and Literature (at the time) in the Faculty of Faculty of Letters.

I studied Japanese literature at university and wrote my doctoral thesis on Japanese literature, but I always had questions about what kind of country Japan is and what kind of people the Japanese are. In order to pursue these questions, I felt it was necessary to look at Japan and the Japanese language from an outside perspective.
For me, who admired the outside world and wanted to know more about my country, becoming a Japanese language teacher overseas was a natural choice.

Do you have any memorable memories from classes or seminars in Faculty of Letters during your student days?

Do you ever feel like what you learned at university is still useful?

Although it is a little different from what I learned, I feel that the kindness I experienced at Soka University has shaped who I am today.

What do you think is the appeal of Soka University's Faculty of Letters?

I often hear the question, "What do you study in Faculty of Letters?" It's difficult to describe what you study in the Faculty of Faculty of Letters in one word. In other words, I think it's a place where you can do anything. If you like anime, you can pursue anime. If you're interested in philosophy, you can study philosophy to the fullest. If you want to become a foreign language professional, you can create an environment where you can only speak a foreign language.

I have a friend who loves female idols. He is the kind of person who can give all his energy to his favorite idols. He pursued his love for them and has now become very famous as a researcher of idol theory.
There are no restrictions in Faculty of Letters. They accept everything you want to do and try. That is the charm of the Faculty of Faculty of Letters. Faculty of Letters of Letters at Soka University adds kindness to this. It is full of people who will accept what you like as it is and tell you that it is interesting. If you don't have anything you like, you will definitely find it here. Faculty of Letters at Soka University is a place that will make you love the things you like even more. It is a place where you can love yourself even more.

Please tell us your future goals!

One time, a student told me, "You are very kind when you talk to me, but sometimes the emojis you send on WeChat (the Chinese messaging app) are very cold." Of course, I don't mean it that way. In fact, I often use emojis to express kindness. However, it seems that my students perceived it the opposite way.

This is due to the difference in how Chinese and Japanese people perceive the same emojis. Fortunately, thanks to the students' help, I was able to understand that it was just a difference in how we each perceived it, and we were able to laugh about it, but if the other person had not honestly confessed their feelings, I might have been left feeling, "What a nasty person." Frictions like this can be seen in many places, causing problems of all sizes.

A message to students Faculty of Letters

Perhaps some of you are feeling anxious about your future. Because the Faculty of Faculty of Letters is a place where you can learn anything, you may be unsure of what you want to do. However, I think that's fine. Pursue what interests you and what worries you now. You may lose interest in a month, but that's fine, isn't it? Life is made up of many connections. There are many cases where small connections lead to big results in the future. It's a waste to spend your days thinking about whether something will be useful or not. Every event becomes food for forming your own identity. Cherish the small questions you have every day and enjoy your life Faculty of Letters!

A message to future students (and applicants) of Faculty of Letters

Perhaps some of you are currently wondering whether to go on to Faculty of Letters. This is because people often ask, "Is studying Faculty of Letters useful?" I always answer such questions with confidence. It is not only usefulness that is important.

Dazai Osamu said in his work "Justice and Smiles": "Studying that has no direct use in daily life is what will complete your personality in the future.... It's okay to forget academic knowledge as soon as you learn it. But even if you forget it all, a handful of gold dust will remain at the bottom of the training you've undergone. This is it. This is what is precious. You must study. And don't be in a hurry to try to force your learning to be directly useful in your life. Take your time and become a truly cultivated person!"

Studying is about knowing kindness. If there are more kind people, the world will be a more peaceful place. In other words, Faculty of Letters is a fortress of peace. So I can answer with confidence. Please study hard at Faculty of Letters!

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What kind of work are you doing now?

I am an English teacher at a public junior high school in Tokyo. This will be my fourth year as a teacher. This is my third year as a homeroom teacher, and I am very excited to have my first graduating class this year.

What is rewarding about your current job?

What motivated you to pursue your current job?

When I entered Soka University, I was not actually a student in Faculty of Letters (laughs), so it's quite strange that I am being interviewed here as a graduate of Faculty of Letters.
When I entered Faculty of Law, I had no dreams for the future. I enrolled in Faculty of Law because I thought I would find something I wanted to do, but the dream I found was to become an English teacher, which I couldn't achieve in that faculty.
It was when I was taking a common subject course, Human Education, in my first year. The content of the class that day was to think about "education," and Lecturer called on students in Discovery Hall to speak. Until that class, I had never seriously thought about "education," but when I thought about it, I realized that I was very passionate about education itself. To explain how passionate I was, in fact, the class had homework to read the specified passages in advance, but I had forgotten about it and attended the class unprepared. Moreover, since it was Discovery Hall, I had no intention of speaking at all, but before I knew it, I had raised my hand and was confidently expressing my opinion in front of the students. This class made me start to seriously consider becoming a teacher.
However, because it was not possible to become an English teacher while remaining in the Faculty of Faculty of Law, I took the transfer exam to transfer to Faculty of Letters in my first year. I passed with ease and was able to start anew as a student in Faculty of Letters. At the time, Professor Asaga, who was in charge of the basic seminar at Faculty of Law, encouraged me by saying, "I hope that you will become the first English teacher from the Asaga seminar," for which I am very grateful.

Do you have any memorable memories from classes or seminars in Faculty of Letters during your student days?

Do you ever feel like what you learned at university is still useful?

In the Osaki Seminar, I conducted my graduation thesis on Willingness to communicate in English. Japan English learners are generally not good at communicating using English. In order to change the current situation of "learning English but not being able to use it", we first conducted research on the factors that affect English learners when they try to communicate.
After graduating from university, I went on to study at Soka University Graduate School of Humanities International Language Education Major TESOL (TESOL). At TESOL, even native international students learn in English with a very high degree of difficulty, which is what they call "hell". It was very difficult for me to study at this level because I had never studied abroad, but it goes without saying that what I learned in the Osaki seminar supported me. In fact, in my master's thesis, I conducted a more in-depth study on Willingness to communicate in English, which I researched in my graduation thesis. I think I was able to form my own foundation in the Osaki seminar.

What do you think is the appeal of Soka University's Faculty of Letters?

The appeal of Faculty of Letters is that, compared to other faculties, you can choose from a wide range of options to deepen your study in the field that suits you. Another strength is that you can meet classmates who are taking on various challenges and inspire each other.

Please tell us your future goals!

My dream is to embody Soka's human education and become the best English teacher in Japan. I want to overcome myself and continue to learn every day.

A message to students Faculty of Letters

I hope you will deepen your learning in the field that suits you as soon as possible. I think that sometimes it can be difficult because there are so many options. When that happens, don't run away, but think carefully, consult with your family, seniors, teachers, and friends, and make the best choice.

A message to future students (and applicants) of Faculty of Letters

I came to Faculty of Letters to become an English teacher. If you dream of becoming an English teacher, I recommend the Faculty of Faculty of Letters. Even if you are not an English teacher, the Faculty of Faculty of Letters has many specialized fields that are not available in other faculties. I hope you will deepen your studies in various fields and deepen your studies in the one that suits you.

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What kind of work are you doing now?

IOM strives to solve various migration-related issues based on the basic principle that "human migration through regular routes and in a manner that guarantees human rights and dignity benefits both migrants and society." As a field-based organization, as of the end of 2020, it has 450 local offices in 165 countries around the world.

What is rewarding about your current job?

What motivated you to pursue your current job?

I first became interested in human migration, which is IOM's specialty, after my experience in a refugee settlement in Uganda during my internship at graduate school. I was heartbroken to see that while I was "voluntarily" moving for study abroad, internships, and travel, the refugees living there were "forcibly" relocated to escape conflicts and other issues in their own countries, and were forced to live harsh lives.

Do you have any memorable memories from classes or seminars in Faculty of Letters during your student days?

Do you ever feel like what you learned at university is still useful?

What do you think is the appeal of Soka University's Faculty of Letters?

The range of fields of study is wide and diverse.
When I enrolled at TUFS, I was thinking of becoming a high school English teacher, so I enrolled in Faculty of Letters with the intention of majoring in "Intercultural Communication (English)." However, I was so inspired by a class I took in the second semester of my second year that I ended up majoring in "Peace and Conflict Resolution" (at the time) in my third and fourth years.

Thanks to the Soka University Faculty of Letters, I was able to discover my field of interest and carve out a career path that I never imagined when I enrolled.

Please tell us your future goals!

From the end of January 2022, I will be working at the IOM Greece office through the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) dispatch system. I would like to continue to do my best to support refugees.

A message to students Faculty of Letters

Please treasure your meetings with your seminar and class teachers, classmates, seniors, and juniors, and continue to make efforts to discover and improve your own capabilities. We are rooting for you.

<A message to future students (and applicants) of Faculty of Letters

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