interview

【Profile】Japanologist, journalist. Worked at the Embassy of Japan in Georgia from 2009 to 2025(Culture and PR / Ambassadors' personal assistant). Author of the children’s book Sakura. Currently engaged in a doctoral research project on “Georgia–Japan cross-cultural relations in Georgian print media.” Married and with two children.1.Could you briefly tell us about your past activities between Japan and Georgia?When the Embassy of Japan was established in Georgia in 2008, I became a member of the .....

【Profile】Head of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development at Kutaisi International University Campus (KUCA). He has nine years of experience living and working in Japan, studied in the doctoral program at Hosei University, and obtained a Ph.D. in Japanese local government from the Moscow Institute of Oriental Studies. He has an international business and academic career spanning over 30 years, including work with Japanese companies and international project management. He is fluent in Georgia.....

【Profile】71 y.o. Mr.Date had served to Electronics Manufacturer “SHARP”for 39years.During this tenure, for 15years, he had been the frontliner in overseas’ business battle fields( Saudi Arabia, India, Philippines). Afterwords, one medium sized company requested me to help set up their new factory in Philippines and  worked for them for few years. Then, he was transferred to Uzbekistan by JICA to conduct the workshops(Management & Practical Business Case studies) at several universities in Uz.....

【Profile】Phin Tokyo Georgia Owner1.Could you tell us about what store Phin Tokyo is?Phin Tokyo is a store dedicated to delivering Japanese products to people overseas who love them. With the growing demand from inbound tourism, the number of people overseas enchanted by Japanese cuisine and products has been increasing. In major countries like the United States, China, and Thailand, major corporations like AEON have already made inroads. However, in countries such as Laos, such stores are hardly.....

【Profile】After graduating from Doshisha University, Yuta Nakano joined Portimonense U-23 in Portugal. Since July 2022, he has been playing as a forward (FW) for FC Rustavi in Georgia.① What led you to come to Rustavi, Georgia as a football player? And what was your first impression when you arrived? Before coming to Rustavi, Georgia, I was playing for Portimonense U-23 in Portugal. Later, through my agent, I had the opportunity to join FC Rustavi, which brought me to Georgia for the first time i.....

【Profile】Tech diplomat, researcher-scientist, SDG Global Leader Program (Kyoto),PhD Candidate at Kyoto Institute of Technology①What program brought you to Japan?In the summer of 2024, with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), I came to Kyoto, Japan. I won a competition for the SDG Global Leader program, which involves working on projects that positively impact society and the environment.I have personal experience of using a wheelchair in the past, and since then, I’.....

【Profile】Director of Batumi National Botanical Garden――　Could you tell us about the Batumi Botanical Garden?The Batumi Botanical Garden is located about 9 kilometers from the city center of Batumi and spans an area of 112 hectares. It officially opened on November 3, 1912.Within the garden are nine phytogeographic (plant-geographic) sections and three parks, featuring approximately 1,800 different plant and flower species, 90 of which are native to the Caucasus region.The garden also plays an im.....

【Profile】Japanese Language lecturer at Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University――What inspired you to start learning Japanese?lasha san:I was inspired to start learning Japanese through the influence of my father, who always held Japan in high regard. I didn’t know much about Japan at the time, but his thoughts on the importance of the Japanese language sparked my interest.After graduating from school in Batumi, I enrolled at a university in Turkey to study Japanese. Back then, Japanese language .....

【Profile】Born in Georgia. Mainly lived abroad in Czechia, Russia, and Japan. Studied Japanese and English at Palacký University Olomouc in Czechia. Later completed a master's degree at Kibi International University in Okayama, Japan. After returning to Georgia, worked primarily in international companies.――　What was your motivation to start leaning Japanese?Rusdan san:The reason I wanted to learn Japanese actually came from my Czech language teacher. During my final year of high school, I was in.....

【Profile】Majored in Russian at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, completed a master's program at the University of Tokyo Graduate School. After working at embassies and JICA in former Soviet regions, currently residing in Georgia. Also engaged in Russian translation and interpretation.――　What led you to establish a connection with Georgia?Takaraga san:I have always loved literature and mainly studied Russian literature at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. Through my studies, I often had th.....