On June 5, we had the pleasure of welcoming Kanami Iwata, a proud alumna of Kyoto University of Foreign Studies (KUFS) and a community manager based in Kobe, as a guest speaker for our Community Engagement Workshop course.
Kanami-san is someone who truly embodies the spirit of community engagement. Through her work in Kobe’s Suido-suji Shopping Street and surrounding neighborhoods, she demonstrated how ordinary people can become extraordinary changemakers by connecting people, ideas, and opportunities.
At the beginning of the lecture, Kanami-san asked us a simple question: “Do you know the job called a Parallel Community Coordinator?” No one could answer. Then she smiled and said: “I know you don’t know it. Because I created this job myself.” She continued: “You can create your job on your own.” This was a powerful message, especially coming from a KUFS graduate. Rather than fitting herself into an existing occupation, Kanami-san identified a social need and designed a role around it. Her story reminded us that meaningful careers are not always found, they can also be created.
Kanami-san introduced us to her organization, Tamago Koen (Egg Park). The name was inspired by Oji Koen (Oji Park), a well-known park in her neighborhood. In Japanese, the characters for Tamago (egg) and Oji look surprisingly similar, differing by only a small additional stroke. While she presented this as a humorous wordplay, the idea behind the name carries a deeper meaning. An egg symbolizes potential. It is a place where new life develops and hatches. Similarly, Tamago Koen aims to become a space where people’s ideas can emerge, grow, and take flight. Their vision is to make the city feel like a park, a place where everyone feels welcome, safe, and able to belong.
One of the most memorable concepts from the lecture was the role of the “Sazae-san” of the community. Drawing on the familiar Japanese cartoon character known for her warmth, friendliness, and involvement in neighborhood life, Kanami-san described herself as a person who informally connects residents, shop owners, students, local government officials, and community organizations. Her role is not to lead from above but to listen carefully to people’s needs and aspirations.By creating opportunities for collaboration, organizing events, and introducing people to one another, she lowers the barriers to participation and helps build a stronger sense of community.
During the Q&A session, a student asked what motivated her to become a community coordinator. Her answer was both honest and inspiring: “I don’t have any special skill, so I thought I can connect skillful people.” Many people might view the lack of a specialized expertise as a weakness. Kanami-san transformed it into a strength. She recognized that communities need connectors as much as they need experts. In many ways, she serves as a cultural translator, someone who helps different people understand one another and work together. However, she was also candid about the difficulties of this role. “Listening to people and connecting people who each have different paces, speeds, and tones is very difficult.”
When asked about the personal benefits of her work, Kanami-san gave an answer:. “Everyone knows me and they care about me.” She shared a simple example: when she changes her hair color and walks down the street, people immediately notice and comment on it. In contemporary Japan, where many people experience isolation and anonymity, this kind of everyday recognition is increasingly rare.
Kanami-san also invited students to participate in some of her ongoing projects. For example, she is looking for volunteers to support activities such as English-language guiding and translation for the Suido-suji Tasting Tour. These projects provide valuable opportunities for students to apply their language skills while engaging with local communities. They may also serve as excellent Community Engagement activities for students participating in Community Engagement Workshop B during the fall semester.
Kanami-san concluded with a massage holding a particularly special meaning for her: “Opportunities knock, but you are the one who opens the door.” She explained that these were words a professor told her during her time as a KUFS student. The phrase stayed with her throughout her university years and beyond, becoming a guiding principle in her life and career. In many ways, Kanami-san now embodies the very lesson that once inspired her as a student. Her lecture offered more than an introduction to community development. It showed us a living example of what it means to be a changemaker.

Thank you, Kanami-san, for sharing your experiences and inspiring us through your warmth, humility, and commitment to connecting people. Your work demonstrates how communities become stronger when someone is willing to listen, care, and create opportunities for others.

7-Eleven Japan: The Human Side of the Konbini Empire

7-Eleven’s success is often attributed to its advanced logistics systems, data-driven inventory management, and highly efficient franchise model. However, behind these systems lies a less visible but equally critical driver: Human Resource Development (HRD). This case focuses on how the company’s HRD across franchisees and frontline employees enables consistent performance at scale, particularly as the workforce becomes more diverse. It invites students to analyze the situation and propose ideas and recommendations at decision-making points throughout the case study.
Nikkei BizRuptors - 7-Eleven Japan: The Human Side of the Konbini Empire
Dr. Gustavo TANAKA | Faculty of Global Engagement, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
Dr. Keith JACKSON | Kobe University
Kim Thanh LE | Nikkei BizRuptors

Fundamental Principles of Financial Accounting - A Case Analysis of a Bakery Startup

This case study delves into the strategic and financial evolution of “Tony’s Cakes” as it transitions from a home-based startup to a formalized SME in 2025. By examining the operational shifts from solo baking to managing a professional payroll and industrial equipment, this analysis aims to illustrate the complexities of the financial accounting and reporting of a manufacturing company. The narrative focuses on the practical application of accounting principles, such as calculating the Cost of Goods Manufactured (COGM), managing industrial equipment investments, and understanding SME tax regulations.
Nikkei BizRuptors - Fundamental Principles of Financial Accounting - A Case Analysis of a Bakery Startup
Prof. Gustavo TANAKA | Faculty of Global Engagement, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies
Arnecht KANCHANATAVEE | Transmax Co., Ltd.
Mishell ALBORES | Nikkei BizRuptors

We’re pleased to introduce another compelling case study by Professor Gustavo Tanaka of the Department of Global Studies, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies, in collaboration with Arnecht Kanchanatavee (Transmax Co., Ltd.) and Mishell Albores (Nikkei BizRuptors).

Read the full article on Nikkei BizRuptors.

This case takes a storytelling approach to explore accounting in the real world, following the journey of Lisa, a young professional in Thailand who leaves behind a stable office job to pursue an independent taxi business in the growing gig economy.

As Lisa builds her business, the study traces her development from simple cash tracking to a more structured operation. Eventually, she forms a partnership with her brother, Phuwin, which introduces new financial complexities, including the need for professional accounting practices across both gasoline and electric vehicle operations.

The case highlights key accounting concepts in a highly practical context, such as the Economic Entity Assumption, Accrual Basis, and the Matching Principle. It also addresses real-world challenges faced by startups, including the decision between capitalizing or expensing costs, and managing corporate income tax obligations as the business expands.

By grounding technical accounting principles in an engaging human story, this case makes financial concepts more accessible and relevant, particularly for students interested in entrepreneurship, the gig economy, and business development in Asia.

Business, economics, accounting, and entrepreneurship are a core part of the curriculum in the Department of Global Studies. Visit our department home page to learn more.

Over the past few months, I have been very happy to work with an exceptional 1st year DGS student, Bimal Khatri, who wanted to initiate a truly impactful community engagement project that will benefit a large number of underprivileged children from his home community in Nepal. Bimal is not only a great student, he is also a young man with a big heart and a real vision. Please read more about this wonderful project (below) and if you would like to become involved in some way, simply contact Bimal or myself and we will be happy to let you know how you can make a difference, too.



Our project was started with the goal of supporting children from underprivileged families studying at the Shree Kalika Elementary School in Nepal. Many of these students face financial challenges and lack basic resources that are important for their education. With the support and encouragement from our community, we began Phase 1 of the project to provide essential clothing and shoes to the students.

In Phase 1, we successfully raised funds and purchased 62 track suits and 62 pairs of shoes for the children. These items were delivered and distributed to the students at the school. It was a very meaningful experience to see the children receive the support, and the distribution was carried out with the help of local coordination, the principal of that school to ensure the items reached the intended beneficiaries.

Phase 2 of the project will focus on organizing a fundraising concert to raise additional support for the school. The goal is to help provide important facilities such as classroom benches and desks, improve parts of the school building, and support the construction or improvement of toilets. These improvements will help create a healthier, safer, and more comfortable learning environment for the students.

Phase 3 will focus on organizing food stall fundraising events. Volunteers and supporters can prepare and sell food, snacks, or traditional dishes, and the money raised will be used to support future needs of the school. These events will help generate ongoing support while also bringing people together to contribute to the project in a simple and meaningful way.

On January 10, 2026, Kyoto University of Foreign Studies hosted the Hult Prize On-Campus Program. Often called the “Nobel Prize for students,” the Hult Prize is the world’s largest student competition for social entrepreneurship. It challenges teams of university students to create for-profit solutions to real global problems aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This year, 10 student-led teams (9 from the Department of Global Studies and 1 from the Department of British & American Studies) pitched innovative ideas, and three outstanding teams were selected as winners:

First place: GoGreen
Promoting sustainable living through a community-based recycling and composting app (SDGs 11, 12, 13).

Second place: Pedavolt
Generating clean energy through pedal-powered electricity for off-grid communities
(SDGs 7, 3)

Third place: 4udogs
Using affordable AI smartphone tools to help farmers diagnose crop diseases and increase food production (SDGs 2, 9)

These projects show how KUFS students are turning ideas into action, combining innovation, entrepreneurship, and social responsibility to tackle real-world challenges.

Congratulations to all participants for their creativity, teamwork, and global vision! The future of social innovation and entrepreneurship looks bright at KUFS.