I wanted to make a f“Furusato (home)” (home)for students who want to become entrepreneurs. (Sakai)

Saji: You have started an official Sophia University entrepreneurial circle, right? That’s impressive for a freshman.

Sakai: It’s called “Sophia Start-up Club”. I wanted to make a place for students who are interested in entrepreneurship, including myself. Our goal is to produce world-wide entrepreneurs who work on the global stage.

Saji: I never thought of starting a business when I was at your age. Do you know how many credits I passed by sophomore year? -16 credits! I even started sShukatsu (, a job hunting), at only in my senior year.

Sakai: Really? I did not expect that! What were you like as a university student back then?

Saji: I was in a street dance club so I used to go come on campus around 6 p.m. just for evening practice when everyone wais going back home. No wonder I failed the classes.…

Sakai: So basically you just focused on your circle activities.

Saji: What was’s funny about this is that I was notn’t good at dancing. But that’s how you find your own role at in the circle. At that time, there were not many people who could use a computer to edit music and video, so I willingly took on such works. I was like a DJ back then.

Sakai: I see!

Saji: I had also worked hard as ata part-time-jobs. I have experienceddecided to try my hand at many different jobs on many occasions such as at a venture business, restaurants, factory and construction site. This was because I wanted to develop my “originality” and learn deeply about myself.

Sakai: “Originality”?

Saji: Yes, what do you think is your originality?

Sakai: Uniqueness and my own novelty…? It’s hard to come up with something.

Saji: One day in an anthropology class, I was asked how I would use my originality when I join the workplace in an “anthropology” class. I could not answer properly back then but the teacher professor told us “Make use of yourself actively and contribute to others.”. That’s when I decided to learn people’s feelinghow people feels even if I am wasn’ot sure what I would be in the future.
Sakai: That’s how you experienced variety of jobs.

Saji: In the end I did not come to a conclusion, but I spent my time acquiring absorbing a lot of things as a student to develop my originality. The teacher’s professor’s words are still the foundation of my values.

Sakai: I could can really relate to this. I’ve always thought there is a need of to understanding people outside the university to be able to start a business that provides a service people would love.
Saji: What kind of activities are you doing as ain the “Sophia Star-up Club”?

Sakai: Right now, wWe hold study sessions to expand our knowledge and collaborate with companies to hold events at present. We even have alumni entrepreneurs from Sophia speak at our events.

Saji: We can’t be stuck in place because of COVID-19. Have you decided what kind of business you would you like to start in the future?

When you feel you can’t look forward, just take a step to the side and work hard. (Saji)

Sakai: I’d like to start a business in the a mental healthcare related field.

Saji: Wow, it’s that specific already.

Sakai: You have were involved in marketing strategies in the Ssales department Division at Softbank, and your participation to in an internal business strategy idea contest has led you to establish your own company. How did you come across up with the theme of automated driving?

Saji: You must have done a lot of research on me, thank you! I just came up with that idea right before the deadline. So the idea started from; this: cell phones are mobile, mobile means moving, and moving needs cars and. I if we could can control cars remotely, we don’t need drivers, that which could relieve the labor shortage and allow the elders in the depopulated areas to move freely, which can would contribute to society. These ideas kept popping into my head, so thanks to that my application was approved to for the next step.

Sakai: That is so impressive!

Saji: Remember how I have always thought how to make people happy through my circle activities and part- time jobs in college? So, I used those skills to make appealing presentations after I got into the company. Actually, my presentation skills were evaluated pretty highly in sales departmentthe Sales Division. Thereby So I was able to present well in front of executives and I was able, which led to establishing my own company.

Sakai: So it’s all connected.

Saji: It really is. This is the successful result of me experiencing a lotmany things with the spirit of “Make use of yourself actively and contribute to others”. Of course, you would not knowit was impossible at the time to know what and how it would connect at the time.

Sakai: I now want to cherish each and every moment that I experience in my daily life.

Saji: Unlike you, tThere are many students who are unclear of about what they should aim for unlike you, like; they don’t know how what to do. But you don’t always have to look forward, it’s ok to step aside sideways or even go up.

Sakai: I believe these words will encourage many students, including myself.

Saji: If you work hard as yourself, and be who you really areyourself, there are going to be various chances waiting ahead. I really hope everyone learns a lot and, most of all, that you have fun in your university days.