Tokyo Alumni Podcast (2025)

29/04/2024

The podcast is back up and running!

Tokyo Alumni Podcast - Episode 82 - Justin Novak - Seattle Mariners Bullpen Catcher (ASIJ 2014)

Welcome to Episode 82 of the Tokyo Alumni Podcast.

Today, we're excited to have Justin Novak join us. A standout alumnus from the ASIJ Class of 2014, Justin has made significant strides in the world of professional baseball. He's currently the bullpen catcher for the Seattle Mariners, a role that keeps him with the team for all 162 regular-season games, plus playoffs. Despite his demanding schedule, Justin took the time to join me for the 82nd episode.

During his time at ASIJ, Justin was nothing short of a baseball legend, leading his team to two Far East titles and an undefeated season of 27 wins to 0 losses during his senior year.
He also excelled in college, helping his Division I team (University of Virginia) clinch a national championship in his freshman year.

As a fellow baseball enthusiast, I was truly inspired by Justin’s positive energy and deep insights into the sport. In today's episode, we delve into his journey through international school and college baseball, and discuss how one can seek out a career in the MLB.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spDhupSrhFE

Tokyo Alumni Podcast

Welcome to Episode 82 of the Tokyo Alumni Podcast. Today, I'm excited to have Justin Novak join me. A standout alumnus from the ASIJ Class of 2014, Justin ha...

27/11/2022

Tokyo Alumni Podcast EPISODE 81 - Steve Harris

Audio Only Link: https://anchor.fm/nick-harris46/episodes/Tokyo-Alumni-Podcast---Episode-81---Steve-Harris-ASIJ-Faculty-1997-2014---Former-Faculty-e1rc5n9

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qXc7BwSXEI

There is no way Steve Harris could have predicted he would spend 43 years in Japan.

Born in San Francisco, California, on Halloween in 1958, his family would soon cross the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County, where they settled in the city of San Rafael. His first encounter with foreign language learning consisted of two terrible years of middle school German, a language he chose because his mother’s side of the family immigrated to the San Francisco Bay Area after fleeing N**i Germany.

His talent for foreign languages would emerge during his years of study of Spanish at San Rafael High School, where at the age of 16 he would also meet his future wife, a Japanese girl from Tokyo who happened to be studying there for one year. The relationship prompted him to begin studying Japanese upon entering the University of California at Berkeley in 1976.

He enjoyed his Japanese studies so much that he declared Japanese as his major and took advantage of Berkeley’ study-abroad program to spend a year at ICU in Tokyo during his junior year. Though he spent his last year back at Berkeley, the appeal of Tokyo was so strong for him that he decided to try to find work there right after graduation in the summer of 1980.

This led to a 17-year stint as a freelance translator and interpreter and then a 17-year stint as a Japanese language teacher at The American School in Japan.

He left ASIJ in June of 2014 and has since been freelancing from his home, which is walking distance from the ASIJ campus.

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - 2:18 - Introduction
3:47 - 4:33 - "17 years"
4:34 - 7:38 - Being an ASIJ parent vs ASIJ faculty / why ASIJ?
7:39 - 13:22 - Is sending a child to an international school worth the cost?
13:23 - 17:00 - Working at ASIJ from 1997-2014 / Leaving ASIJ
17:01 - 22:09 - Living in Japan for 40+ years - moving to Japan in the 1970s
22:09 - 22:36 - How to become bilingual
22:36 - 27:34 - Memories of ASIJ
27:35 - 36:49 - Soccer - ASIJ Soccer & working as a Japan Futsal Director
36:50 - 39:53 - Creating the ASIJ "Tama Cup"
39:54 - 44:12 - ASIJ Squad of 23 players (mid-2000s-mid-2010s team)
44:13 -46:47 - What is coming up next

There is no way Steve Harris could have predicted he would spend 43 years in Japan.Born in San Francisco, California, on Halloween in 1958, his family would ...

21/08/2022

EPISODE 80
Taeuk Kang (KISJ 2022)
Stanford University student

Taeuk Kang was born in Gyeongnam but moved to Jeju, where he attended Korea International School, Jeju Campus for 11 years. He plans to spend the next four years at Stanford University, CA studying Computer Science. He was awarded the Talent Award of Korea in 2020 among 100 Korean citizens for their exemplary talents.

His early interest in computers led him to software development. Since then, he has developed multiple projects and apps for both open source and businesses. One of his most recent projects is the LiveCorona Map, an open source COVID visualization tool and information source. As one of the project leads, he automated the statistic collections and created a public pharmacy mask map. The project had been adopted by the Jeju government as the COVID status website early on during the pandemic. He also enjoys creating hobby projects such as a multi-source language dictionary and a failed cloud hosting reseller startup.

Now, Taeuk is preparing to study Computer Science at Stanford University, specializing in the Artificial Intelligence area. He wishes to pursue a professional career in a related field.

TIMESTAMP
1:35 - Introduction
3:18 - Why choose Stanford University over Harvard University?
7:45 - How to get into Stanford, Harvard and Columbia University? Are hagwons and consultants worth it?
9:40 - What gave you an edge over other applicants? Are sports and extracurriculars needed to get into a prestigious University?
17:04 - How do you find something you are genuinely passionate in?
25:50 - Attending Korea International School Jeju / life in the GEC
34:10 - The advantage of attending international school over public school
36:55 - What do you envision doing ten years from now (2032)

YOUTUBE LINK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQS9_Ahr8TQ

ANCHOR LINK
https://anchor.fm/nick-harris46/episodes/Tokyo-Alumni-Podcast---Episode-80---Taeuk-Richard-Kang-KISJ-2022---Stanford-University-Student-CS-Major-e1mp15m

Taeuk Kang (KISJ 2022)Stanford University studentTaeuk Kang was born in Gyeongnam but moved to Jeju, where he attended Korea International School, Jeju Campu...

24/07/2022

EPISODE 79
Amelia Juhl (Seisen 1998)
Design Research Director

Amelia is a Design Research Director at IDEO Tokyo. She brings more than 20 years of experience leading creative projects of all sizes. At IDEO, she has worked on projects such as redesigning medical products for the elderly, new beauty experiences for millennials, and systemic redesigns for agriculture. Previously, she worked as a Strategic Planner at a marketing agency, working on CRM or campaigns for global companies such as Nissan, Microsoft and P&G.

Her current passion is in adding life-centered principles to her human-centered approach. She is excited to lend her expertise in innovation to help businesses be more regenerative by design for the next decade.

TIMESTAMP
1:18 - Introduction
3:30 - How to become a Design Researcher
7:35 - How experiences at Seisen helped Amelia with group work
11:05 - Cross-cultural fluency at IDEO & Bilingual education
19:57 - Why should parents send their children to Seisen / International schools?
22:30 - Identity for international school ”インター” kids
26:40 - Working as a woman in Japan
33:23 - Most memorable teacher at Seisen
37:58 - What is to come

Youtube Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyxxeaH2EQI

Anchor Link
https://anchor.fm/nick-harris46/episodes/Tokyo-Alumni-Podcast---Episode-79---Amelia-Juhl-Seisen-1998----Design-Research-Director-e1lk2cq

Amelia Juhl (Seisen 1998)Design Research Director Amelia is a Design Research Director at IDEO Tokyo. She brings more than 20 years of experience leading cre...

04/05/2022

EPISODE 78
Alexander Minami Redhead (SMIS 2003)
Portfolio Manager

Today our guest is a Portfolio Manager at Montrachet Capital.
He attended St. Mary's International School for 13 years (Class of 2003), he later went to study at Tufts University where he earned a dual degree in Mathematics and Psychology. Prior to his current role, he worked at several investment banks in Tokyo and New York including Lehman Brothers, Credit Suisse, and Nomura Securities.

In 2019, he joined Montrachet Capital, a multi-family office in Singapore, and runs the portfolio management group, helping wealthy individuals invest for the future. During his time in Singapore, he became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner, interviewed and translated several books in Japanese for the legendary investor Jim Rogers, and helped numerous clients immigrate from Japan.

He is currently active within the St. Mary's Alumni Association (SMAA), heading the Finance Group as well as the Singapore chapter, and enjoys sharing his no bullsh*t opinion to those seeking career advice. He looks forward to resuming 11-aside football when COVID measures are eased, but enjoys Crossfit and Tennis in the meantime.

TIMESTAMP
1:30-2:40 - Introduction
3:13-4:50 Intro from Alex
5:05-12:44 - The International School "bubble" and being bi-cultural
12:45-17:26 - Joining the industry of "Finance" / SMAA and internships
17:27-22:57 - What kept Alex in finance/in what ways can high school students equip themselves to work in the industry of finance?
22:58-25:35 - Moving from investment banking to portfolio management
25:36-35:06 - Is popular cultures illustration of WallStreet bankers accurate?/working hours in finance
36:07-41:05 - Jim Rogers
41:06-46:35 - St. Marys shout outs
46:36-49:35 - The importance of HS athletics at international schools
49:36-52:40 - What is to come

ANCHOR
https://anchor.fm/nick-harris46/episodes/Tokyo-Alumni-Podcast---Episode-78---Alexande-Redhead-SMIS-2003----Portfolio-Manager-e1i1kai

YOUTUBE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6Yni_pTGaM

Alexander Minami RedheadSt. Mary's International School (2003)Today our guest is a Portfolio Manager at Montrachet Capital.Today our guest attended St. Mary'...

27/03/2022

Tokyo Alumni Podcast
EPISODE 77

Lina Yamash*ta (ASIJ 1997-2003)
*Graduate of ISM (Philippines 2004)
Program Director at VIA (Nonprofit)

Lina Yamash*ta is Program Director at VIA, an international education nonprofit based in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she develops programs that promote cross-cultural understanding between Asia and the U.S.

Her experiences living in Japan*, Singapore, and the Philippines have shaped her commitment as an educator to highlight diverse perspectives, especially those that are less visible.

Lina earned a doctorate in Education from UC Davis, a master’s degree from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a bachelor’s degree in Biology & Environmental Studies from Oberlin College.

Outside of work, Lina enjoys making latte art, reading contemporary and historical fiction, and spending time with her husband and son.

TIMESTAMP
1:06-3:20 - Introductions
3:20-7:58 - Being a TCK - switching from a Japanese school to an international school
7:59- 10:01 - Cross cultural understanding in medicine
10:02-13:28 - What is home for a TCK/international citizens/mixed race?
13:29-17:34 - Raising a tri-cultural child
17:35-23:10 - Attending ASIJ (Japan) ISM (Philippines) and SAS Singapore
23:11-27:40 - Lasting impact of ASIJ
27:41-30:53 - What is to come

Youtube Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlzvDxG2PNM

Anchor Link
https://anchor.fm/nick-harris46/episodes/Tokyo-Alumni-Podcast---Episode-77---Lina-Yamash*ta-ASIJ-2004---Nonprofit-Director-e1gakn9

Lina Yamash*ta (ASIJ 1997-2003) *Graduate of ISM (Philippines 2004)Program Director at VIA (Nonprofit)Lina Yamash*ta is Program Director at VIA, an internati...

23/01/2022

Episode 76
Christopher Harris (EIS 2015)
Associate at The Early Stage Banking Team

He is an American National born and raised in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

During his time in Honduras, he attended SERAN Bilingual School, Escuela Internacional La Lima for and graduated from Escuela Internacional Sampedrana in 2015.

He earned a bachelors in Business Administration from Northeastern University. During his time at Northeastern, Chris was involved with the IDEA Venture Studio on campus and did co-ops in accounting and asset management. During his senior year at Northeastern, Chris was part of the founding of Disrupt, the Fintech Initiative at Northeastern, aimed at building a community on campus at the intersection of finance and technology.

He now works as an Associate at The Early Stage Banking team at Silicon Valley Bank in San Francisco learning and building relationships with young startups, founders, and investors from the Bay Area.

TIMESTAMPS
0:43 - Introduction
3:28 - Do you identify more with American or Honduran culture?
7:14 - The role of language and how it affects personality and socialization
10:27 - Where do international school grads from Central America go after high school?
13:54 - What is the most common misconception about Honduras?
16:21 - Why Honduras? + How did Chris's experience compare at Seran v La Lima v San Pedro?
21:40 - Extracurricular activities at international schools
24:29 - Would you send your own children to an international school?
32:10 - What is to come?

Anchor Link
https://anchor.fm/nick-harris46/episodes/Christopher-Harris-EIS-2015---Honduras--Northeastern--Banking--Escuela-Internacional-Sampedrana-e1db3g5

Youtube Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jMLYonAfOEM

Christopher Harris (EIS 2015)Associate at The Early Stage Banking TeamHe is an American National born and raised in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.During his time...

07/01/2022

Episode 75
John Mikton (Former ASIJ Tech Coach 2000-2005)
Deputy Principal at the International School of Luxembourg

I am a bi national Swiss-American born and raised in Switzerland, in the Nyon area, and grew up in a bilingual home with an American father and Swiss Mother, and was educated in Switzerland and England, I studied in the United States for my Bachelor's, Teaching Certification and Masters. Currently I am the Head of Education and Media Technology/ Deputy Principal at the International School of Luxembourg.

I am a trainer and course designer at the Principal Training Center and Teacher Training Center. , a Learning2 Community Coach and trainer at the Institut de formation de l’Éducation nationale du Luxembourg.

I have 25 years experience working in Education and Media Technology and 17 years as a Leadership Team member in International Schools.( International School of Tanganyika, Western Academy of Beijing, American School in Japan, International School of Prague, Inter Community School Zurich and currently in Luxembourg)

I share my learning and passion for digital fluency at : https://beyonddigital.org
https://digitallife.live/

I also co-host a podcast focused on international education, innovation, creativity, and learning
https://www.theinternationalschoolspodcast.com/

TIMESTAMP
1:27 - Introduction
3:36 - An introduction to Japanese/Asian culture, moving to San Francisco
6:08 - Being part of the JET program at Saitama, Japan
9:20 - Going back to Japan to work at ASIJ
11:22 - International school faculty/schools lack of or success in integrating with local cultures
17:53 - is the "lifer" teacher who stays in one country for 20-30 years something of the past?
22:16 - IB v AP
27:13 - The International Schools Podcast
29:25 - Tech at school - how has COVID affected remote learning?
35:57 - What is to come for John

Anchor Link
https://anchor.fm/nick-harris46/episodes/John-Mikton-Former-ASIJ-Tech-Coach-2000-2005---Deputy-Principal-at-the-International-School-of-Luxembourg-e1ckh8b

Youtube Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v11rfxhZlWA

John Mikton (Former ASIJ Tech Coach 2000-2005)Deputy Principal at the International School of LuxembourgI am a bi national Swiss-American born and raised in ...

07/01/2022

After a 4-month break, we are back!

Episode 74
Andrew Melton (ASIJ 1994)
Educator

I am from Arkansas. I grew up overseas in Riyadh and Tokyo. My parents became international school teachers in the 1980’s which gave me the bug to do it. I attended ASIJ from 1991 to 1994. At Berklee College of Music I studied film scoring, and my instrument was the vibraphone.

After college I went to Los Angeles. I had a wonderful time there juggling film scoring, band composing and arranging, and playing piano in improv comedy theaters.

I then focused on international teaching, at the American School of Marrakech, Morocco, the American School of Lima, Peru, and then Shanghai American School. Now Canadian Ac. in Kobe. At all of these I taught some combination of band, choir, strings, and general music. It’s so great to be back in Japan, still trying to learn the darn language!

Towards the end of my time in Lima, I married Jen Van Ness whom I met at an ASIJ 20 year reunion in Washington DC. She attended ASIJ just for one year as a 9th grader in 1991.

TIMESTAMP
1:20 - Introduction
3:08 - Growing up as an international school student in Saudi Arabia and Japan
5:59 - Becoming a teacher
7:32 - How to become an international school teacher
10:35 - Morocco
12:48 - the transient nature of international school teaching
14:08 - coming back to Japan
14:58 - Canadian Academy v ASIJ
17:12 - How international education led towards Andrews current career
18:55 - ASIJ shout outs
20:48 - What is to come in the next few years

Anchor Link
https://anchor.fm/nick-harris46/episodes/Andrew-Melton-ASIJ-1994---Educator-e1ckgsl

Youtube Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohk3wGbX9DY

Andrew Melton (ASIJ 1994)EducatorI am from Arkansas. I grew up overseas in Riyadh and Tokyo. My parents became international school teachers in the 1980’s ...

25/09/2021

EPISODE 73
Minako Abe, M.D. (ASIJ 1988)
Director of the Tokyo Cancer Clinic

Minako Abe is the director of the Tokyo Cancer Clinic in Japan. She attended ASIJ from 1976-1988 and after graduating, attended UC Berkeley for her B.A. and earned her M.D. at SUNY Stony Brook. She has dual U.S. board certifications in Emergency Medicine and Lifestyle Medicine.

Practicing Emergency Medicine in NYC and NJ for over 15 years, she loved treating all kinds of illnesses and people from all walks of life but found that nearly 80% of what she saw was related to unhealthy lifestyle choices. Chronic illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and even 30-50% of cancers are preventable. As such, she developed a strong interest in Lifestyle Medicine, particularly in relation to the field of immunology and oncology.

In 2014, she and her family moved to Tokyo to help with her father’s cancer immunotherapy clinic. Having lived outside of Japan for 26 years, she experienced a bit of culture shock, having to relearn Japanese and understanding a completely different medical system. However, with both of her children currently attending ASIJ, this has given her family a sense of belonging within this very special international community.

A year into moving here, her husband was diagnosed with a rare spinal cord tumor, and when searching for the best treatment options in the U.S., she was surprised to find that the most advanced treatment options were actually right here in Japan. Even the patented cancer vaccines and immune cell treatments at the Tokyo Cancer Clinic is not widely known or available elsewhere in the world!

This experience got her thinking – how isolating it is for expats in Japan to go through a cancer diagnosis while also navigating a foreign medical system. How are people to know that perhaps the best treatments and opportunities lie right here? Her passion project is to help cancer patients navigate the Japanese medical system, while coaching them to thrive and not just survive with Lifestyle Medicine and Mindset.

You can find her at
https://tokyocancerclinic.jp/
https://www.drminako.com/

TIMELINE
1:44 - Introduction
4:32 - Choosing the career path to become a doctor (from an international school student's perspective) / to work in Japan/USA?
10:50 - Can certain products "give you cancer"?
15:23 - Family history - nature v nurture when it comes to cancer?
17:37 - Sleep!
19:30 - Living in both Japan and the USA for 20+ years, a comparison of the two locations
25:04 - Comparing the perspective of ASIJ as a student vs as a parent
31:31 - What is to come

Anchor Link
https://anchor.fm/nick-harris46/episodes/Tokyo-Alumni-Podcast-Episode-73--Dr--Minako-Abe--M-D--ASIJ-1988---Director-of-Tokyo-Cancer-Clinic-e17rsst

Youtube Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DA6iHK8QEfg

Minako Abe, M.D. (ASIJ 1988)Director of the Tokyo Cancer ClinicMinako Abe is the director of the Tokyo Cancer Clinic in Japan. She attended ASIJ from 1976-1...

22/08/2021

EPISODE 72

Harald Gjerde, MD, FRCSC (St. Mary’s 2006)
Physician – Pediatric Ophthalmologist

Harald is a Canadian national who is ethnically Norwegian and Chinese, who was born and raised in Tokyo. He attended the now-closed Santa Maria International School, later transferring and graduating from St. Mary’s International School as Valedictorian for the class of 2006.

He earned an Honors degree in Microbiology and Immunology from McGill University and completed medical school at the University of Manitoba. He completed a residency in Ophthalmology at Dalhousie University, and finished a fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology at Boston Children’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School.

He was the Clinical Director of the Special Olympics Canada Opening Eyes eye-screening program for Atlantic Canada. He has worked as a professional narrator and voice actor, to authoring scientific papers, as well as being a published poet and writer. He will be moving to Vancouver this winter to work for the BC Children’s Hospital as a Pediatric Ophthalmologist, and work as a Clinical Instructor at the University of British Columbia.

TIMESTAMPS
1:05 - Introduction
4:45 - When did you want to become a doctor?
7:58 - How has growing up overseas affected your practice as a doctor?
14:04 - Choosing Canada or the US for school for someone who wants to go to med school
21:04 - Santa Maria and St. Marys
25:00 - What is to come

Anchor Link
https://anchor.fm/nick-harris46/episodes/Tokyo-Alumni-Podcast-Episode-72-Harald-Gjerde--MD--FRCSC-St--Marys-2006---Doctor---Pediatric-Ophthalmologist-e16910p

Youtube Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lb2XrPQGNFQ

Harald Gjerde, MD, FRCSC (St. Mary’s 2006) Physician – Pediatric Ophthalmologist Harald is a Canadian national who is ethnically Norwegian and Chinese, who was born and raised in Tokyo. He attended the now-closed Santa Maria International School, later transferring and graduating from St. Ma...

04/08/2021

EPISODE 71
Kazuna Yamamoto (CAJ 2015)
Entrepreneur

Kazuna was born in Hong Kong, raised in Singapore and Japan, and currently resides in Chile.

She is the Founder and President of Voice Up Japan, an organization with a vision of a society where anyone can raise their voice, in hopes of creating an equitable society where one is not judged by gender, sexuality, nationality, and religion.

She is the Co-Founder and CEO of WAYVX, a Chilean-based firm dedicated to the digitalization and democratization of the financial industry through the implementation of blockchain and other decentralized ledgers.

Currently, she is working in Corporate Venture Capital Investments at Kauffman Ventures.

TIMESTAMP
0:45 - Introduction
3:05 - Going into entrepreneurship at a young age
4:28 - Voice Up Japan
5:28 - How did being an international school student affect your perspective when it came to social issues?
6:28 - How attending Christian Academy Japan (CAJ) affected her perspectives
11:42 - Learning a 3rd language - Spanish
13:59 - Blockchain technology and crypto-currency
16:59 - The Kauffman Ventures
17:44 - the day-to-day tasks/schedule as a young entrepreneur
18:53 - Long-term goals - VC funds and politics
22:40 - What is to come

Voice Up Japan
https://voiceupjapan.org/

Anchor Link
https://anchor.fm/nick-harris46/episodes/Tokyo-Alumni-Podcast-Episode-71-Kazuna-Yamamoto---Entrepreneur--Activist--CAJ-e15ev3h

Youtube Link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GB9f2ltSmFI&feature=youtu.be

EPISODE 71Kazuna Yamamoto (CAJ 2015)EntrepreneurKazuna was born in Hong Kong, raised in Singapore and Japan, and currently resides in Chile.She is the Founde...

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