My career vision

My career vision is to build institutional infrastructures that will transform the way global social development functions. I plan to create a consulting firm specializing in nonprofit management and social enterprise, and develop it as an agent of global change to promote the development of an international standard for social enterprises’ performance evaluation and the formation of financial and human resource markets, complete with information clearinghouses, auditors and self-regulatory bodies, which can collectively drive efficiency in the social sector.

I will first launch the firm in Japan and promote it as a catalyst to match the needs of innovative nonprofits with those of private companies. The Japanese social sector lacks strong foundations that can provide leadership and fund professional consulting services. My initial strategy will be to tap into the desire for corporate social responsibility and offer companies a packaged solution including development of CSR strategy, consultancy for partner nonprofits, and performance evaluation.

I am not solely driven by altruism, but by the fact that this career path is what holds the greatest interest, meaning, and excitement for me. If the worth of a life is in the lasting difference our life makes, then it seems clear to me that I should aim for the maximum positive impact. I want to alleviate international inequality in wealth and opportunity because I believe this is the gravest social injustice and the greatest threat to sustainable prosperity in today’s world.

This is a colossal and complex issue and making major advances requires attacks on multiple fronts. To maximize my impact, however, I will leave the beaten track to others and focus on exploring an original approach that can make a real difference. I am convinced that the key is to capitalize on a vastly underutilized resource: the power of humanity resting in each individual. The institutional infrastructure to moderate and facilitate efficient functioning of nonprofits and social entrepreneurs is still at a rudimentary stage of development compared to market infrastructures or political systems. Development of such social infrastructures can unleash the potential of social enterprises, enabling ordinary people worldwide to participate effectively in the process of international social development. If I can make a difference by realizing this vision, mine will be a life well-lived.