INTERVIEWS | My Eyes Tokyo

The city lacks nature, people don’t take days off… But Tokyo improved my life!

2015-11-25

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: itokuhashi@myeyestokyo.com Jenna Röhrs (Germany) Event organizer/Model/Entertainer Jenna Röhrs is from a Baltic small town in Germany. One of our Japanese friends introduced us to her online first. We almost backed away because she looks really beautiful. But actually she was so friendly when we met her, so we enjoyed the interview; it was like chatting. She expressed her love for Japan, but sometimes she pointed out some Japanese work habits. We thought, “Japanese companies would be truly global if they hire her”. *Interview in Harajuku *Edited by Daniel Penso 校正協力：ダニエル・ペンソ日本語

We want to be seen as a great entertainment group in Tokyo, not as some silly “gaijin” group.

2015-11-10

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com Mike Staffa (USA) Improv comedy group founder Photo Credit: Michael Holmes Photo Almost two years ago we last talked with Mike Staffa, the founder of the Pirates of Tokyo Bay. The group is Tokyo’s only bilingual comedy group specializing in improvisational (improv) comedy. He told us how and why he started his own comedy group in Osaka and Tokyo to bring laughter to audiences regardless of their native language. This year, the Pirates of Tokyo Bay will mark their 5th anniversary with a special show on November 29th at

How can you guys be so polite and helpful? – Tell me, Japanese people! Vol.2

2015-09-23

Produced by Isao TokuhashiEdited by Daniel PensoMail to: info@myeyestokyo.com Haneda Airport, Tokyo Haneda Airport (羽田空港) is one of the two primary airports that serve the Greater Tokyo Area. It handled almost all domestic flights to and from Tokyo from 1978 to 2010, while Narita International Airport handled the vast majority of international flights. In 2010, a dedicated international terminal was opened at Haneda. The Japanese government is currently encouraging the use of Haneda for premium business routes and the use of Narita for leisure routes and by low-cost carriers. *Haneda Airport. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved September 23, 2015, from

Why will nobody sit beside me on the train? – Tell me, Japanese people! Vol.1

2015-07-07

Produced by Isao TokuhashiEdited by Daniel PensoMail to: info@myeyestokyo.com Kamakura, Kanagawa Pref A city located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south-south-west of Tokyo. Kamakura is often described in history books as a former de facto capital of Japan as the seat of the Shogunate and of the Regency during the Kamakura Period. *Kamakura. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved July 7, 2015 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kamakura 日本語 Couple from Holland “This is our first trip to Japan. We planned to come here about 4 years ago, but the Fukushima issues occurred so we put off the trip to Japan. Japan is very

Japanese don’t realize how good their image in the world is and how good of a reputation Japan has.

2015-06-04

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com Nikola Pavesic (Croatia) Startup for startups twitter: @nikpavesic We found a unique recruitment service on Twitter. They provide their services mainly to Japanese startups, and most of its staff members are non-Japanese. In other words, non-Japanese recruiters support Japanese startups. We wanted to thank them and got really interested in their idea. The name of the recruitment service is called “JUSTA”, which was launched by a gentleman from Croatia with the support of Red Brick Ventures, a venture company from Tokyo. We tweeted that we want to interview them and

If I made an unfunny joke, I could say, “I guess it’s ‘cause I’m from Sweden”. Do you know why?

2015-04-18

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com Johan Nilsson Björk (Sweden) Rakugo Performer We have introduced to you Kimie Oshima, a Japanese “English-rakugo (落語)” performer before, but now we have another. This time from… Sweden! His name is Johan Nilsson Björk, a.k.a Borubo-tei Ikeya. “Borubo” means Volvo, the Swedish automotive company, and “Ikeya” refers to IKEA, the world-famous Swedish furniture retailer. A professional rakugo performer gave him such a great stage name. Johan discovered rakugo in Japan and decided to settle in the country after going back home once. His reason Because he fell in love

Rakugo might prevent conflicts. I’ll try to achieve peace through it.

2015-01-29

Interviewed & written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com Kimie Oshima Professor/English-Rakugo Performer Have you heard of the word “Rakugo”? It’s a form of Japanese verbal entertainment. The lone storyteller sits on stage, using only a paper fan and a small cloth as props, and does not stand up from the sitting position. Actually My Eyes Tokyo has interviewed some foreign rakugo performers so far such as Diane Orrett from UK and Mizirakli Halit from Turkey. Also we met Johan Nilsson Björk, a rakugo performer from Sweden. They learned rakugo after coming to Japan, fell in love with the

Make the change that you want to do. And create new opportunities.

2014-11-30

Written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com Anthony Joh (Canada) The 5th guest for the “MET Morning Interview” is Anthony Joh, Business Development Director of GPlus Media. Anthony is in charge of developing the GaijinPot website, which is the largest online resource for anyone looking to work, study or live in Japan. We first were introduced to Anthony by one of his colleagues and met up in a bar in Roppongi to hear of his business background. We’ve met many foreign entrepreneurs up to now, but we’ve never met a person like him. Most of entrepreneurs we’ve met have

I feel Japan will succeed. I want to help it.

2014-05-11

Written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com Keith Perhac (USA) IT Consultant On February 15th, we held the 4th “MET Morning Interview”, where we conduct public interviews with cutting-edge business leaders in English. The guest speaker for this Interview was Keith Perhac, who’s been working in Gifu as an IT consultant. We met Keith at a meetup for entrepreneurs called “GTIC” which was held in Tokyo in the spring of 2013. He often raised his hand and showered questions on presenters in Japanese. That was so impressive for us. Then he joined our presentation event called “Mechakucha Night” in May

The “Pirates” is a family. Trust off stage makes the trust on stage.

2014-03-30

Written by Isao Tokuhashi Mail to: info@myeyestokyo.com Mike Staffa (USA) Improv comedy group founder Photo Credit: Michael Holmes Photo Today we introduce you to the “Leader of the Pirates”. Mike Staffa, the founder of the improv comedy group called the “Pirates of Tokyo Bay” (POTB). As soon as he stepped in the venue for this interview, he said, “I’m sweating today!” even though it was a cold day outside. Because according to him, where he comes from was currently -40C that day! We’re not sure he was joking or not, but anyway he is totally a funny guy.

Interviews with Tokyo People Achieving Dreams