Education
Nottingham Trent University, UK
Bachelor's Degree, Architecture and Interior Design — Nottingham, United Kingdom
1999–2003
Languages
- Japanese / Native
- English / Professional working proficiency / C1-level working capacity
Core Competencies
- Cultural project management
- International cultural exchange
- Artist in residency coordination
- Exhibition and public programme production
- Planning exhibitions, workshops
- Design management
- Japan–Europe stakeholder coordination
- Collaboration with public institutions, embassies, local governments, artists, designers, craftspeople, and producers
- Budget, schedule, logistics, and production coordination
- Bilingual Japanese-English communication
- Proposal, documentation, reporting, and partner communication
Professional Experience
Independent Project Manager / Cultural Project Director / Design Coordinator
Japan / Europe | 2016–present
Works independently on international cultural exchange, design, craft, artist residency, exhibition, and public programme projects, with a focus on Japan–Europe collaboration.
Van Gogh Huis — Teshima Artist In Residency Project
Japan Agent / Local Project Coordinator | Teshima, Japan | Starting August 2026
Upcoming artist residency project on Teshima, organised by Van Gogh Huis Zundert and AMUSE, involving international artists, local stakeholders, and planned programme collaboration connected to the Setouchi Triennale.
Osaka Art & Design
Director / Project Manager | Osaka, Japan | 2025–2026
Public art and design programme across Osaka, connecting contemporary art and design presentations with the city, local venues, cultural partners, artists, designers, and visitors.
URA Project
Project Director | Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan | 2024–March 2025
Traditional textile-industry collaboration project in Fujiyoshida, connecting local textile producers with Dutch designers to support the cultural and creative revitalisation of the industry and the town.
Teruhiro Yanagihara Studio / Danto Tile Branding Project
Project Manager | Japan / Milan, Italy | 2023–2024
International branding and exhibition project for Danto Tile, one of Japan's oldest industrial tile companies, including large-scale tile installations and Milan presentations for two consecutive years.
Creative Residency Arita
Director / Project Manager / Coordinator | Arita, Saga, Japan | 2016–2023
Artist and designer residency programme connecting Arita's ceramic culture with international creative practitioners, local government partners, and European cultural networks.
Teruhiro Yanagihara Studio / 2016/ Project
Project / Design Manager | Arita, Japan / Milan, Italy / Amsterdam, Netherlands | 2014–2016
Large-scale contemporary porcelain project developed through Saga Prefecture's Arita ware 400th anniversary initiative, connecting Arita porcelain craftspeople with 16 internationally active designers, with major presentations in Milan and at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.
Earlier Professional Experience
National Museum of Ethnology
Visual Management / Exhibition Planner | Osaka, Japan | June 2011–June 2013
Museum exhibition and workshop planning role, translating anthropological research and socio-cultural information into public-facing exhibitions and programmes.
Design Association NPO / Tokyo Design Week
Producer | Tokyo, Japan | January 2009–December 2010
Produced exhibitions and design programmes for Tokyo Design Week, including coordination with designers, artists, partners, and international relations.
Kitayama and Company
Assistant Producer | Tokyo, Japan | January 2006–December 2008
Assistant producer for urban development-related projects, including strategy planning, building programming, environmental design, art direction, and publication coordination.