World Wise Voices: Ayako Tamura's on her Interest in Applying New Skills to Impact a More Peaceful Society

Your career has been dedicated to promoting cross-cultural collaboration and mutual understanding through education, cultural exchange, and international partnerships. What first inspired you to pursue this path, and what continues to motivate your work today?

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During my time at university, I took part in an International Youth Forum in Korea, which was my first truly global experience. Relations between Japan, Korea and China were strained at the time, and I was initially hesitant to join, but I soon formed genuine friendships. One Korean participant told me during a long night of conversation that he had not had a positive image of Japan because of historical issues, but that meeting me had shifted his perspective. That moment made me realise the power of people-to-people exchange and mutual understanding in building a more peaceful society, and it has guided my career ever since.

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From supporting Japanese Studies programs across Asia to serving as Deputy Director of an overseas office at one of the Japanese governmental institutions  and now managing international scholarship programs at a  private foundation, you have worked across diverse cultural contexts. What leadership lessons have you learned from these experiences?

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Working across different countries taught me that nothing should be taken for granted, as assumptions can easily lead to misunderstandings. Clear and frequent communication is essential for the success of any project, particularly when navigating cultural differences. I also realised that this awareness can fade when working with people from similar backgrounds, so I make a conscious effort not to assume shared understanding and to communicate clearly and explicitly. These experiences have shaped me into a leader who values attentiveness, adaptability and strong relationships. 

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What motivated you to apply to the World Wise Executive Leadership Program, and what aspects of the program resonated most with your professional goals and experiences?

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Coming from the not‑for‑profit sector, I wanted to grow as a leader who can bridge the business world and mission‑driven organisations. WWELP brings together participants from diverse professional backgrounds, offering a valuable opportunity to broaden my network and learn from different perspectives. I am especially looking forward to sharing leadership insights with the cohort and strengthening my ability to collaborate across sectors. The programme aligns closely with my long‑term aim of contributing to cross‑cultural and cross‑sector partnerships. 

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Throughout your career, you have focused on building connections between people, institutions, and cultures. Why do you believe cultural fluency and cross-cultural leadership are increasingly important in today's world?

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As mentioned earlier, I believe mutual understanding is essential for creating a more peaceful and cooperative society. To achieve this, we must first recognise that today’s world is shaped by many different cultures and ways of thinking. Cultural fluency enables us to navigate this ocean of diversity with respect and confidence. Leadership then becomes the compass that guides how we connect, collaborate and shape the future we aspire to build. 

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As a Nippon Foundation Scholar and member of the inaugural World Wise cohort, what impact do you hope this experience will have on your leadership journey and your efforts to strengthen international understanding and collaboration?

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I have built my career within the not‑for‑profit sector, and I hope WWELP will immerse me in more diverse professional cultures, including different working styles and values. As I reach the mid‑career stage, I feel it is important to challenge and reconstruct the assumptions and beliefs I have formed through my past experiences, as they can easily become rigid if left unquestioned. The in‑person kick‑off meeting in Tokyo already offered perspectives I had never previously considered, giving me a refreshing sense of intellectual disruption in the best possible way. This programme represents an opportunity to broaden my thinking, strengthen my ability to bridge people from different backgrounds, and contribute to a more peaceful and interconnected society.

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Ready to use your skills for good? Learn more about Minerva University’s World Wise Executive Leadership Program.

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