A Chapter from Pathways: Akira Ohara, Yanai Scholarship Winner

Well, I didn’t actually have much formal study. I went to an English conversation school for about two years when I was in elementary school, just enough to learn the basics. My real turning point came when I joined a Boy Scouts of America troop in Japan.

Yes, I suppose it is. But most of the scouts in my troop were students from international schools like ASIJ or St. Mary’s, or were the kids of parents who worked at the American Embassy. At first, with my limited English, it was hard for me to follow along. But the troop was a friendly one, and I made friends right away, so I was able to pick up English when we went on campouts, say, or when I earned my merit badges, or just by hanging out with everyone. Also, a lot of scouting involves reading manuals and writing reports of what we do, so I had to use English constantly.

Not for me. I took the regular Japanese exams at Ikubunkan. English was an option on the “eigo nyushi” route, but I still wasn’t confident enough in my English to take that path. But once classes began, some of the teachers noticed that my English level was OK. So they placed me in the top “Global” track, which is usually reserved for returnees. That was quite a pleasant surprise for me.

Definitely. It made me think, “Oh, maybe my English is actually pretty good,” which wasn’t a thought I had ever had when I was just hanging out with my Boy Scout friends.

Sure. That happened when I was in junior high school at Ikubunkan. I had heard about a seasonal program called SPARQ-ed that was held at the University of Queensland. The course lasted barely two weeks, but during that time, I got to work in a real lab, handling cancer cells and assisting real researchers with actual medical research.

No, the program wasn’t organized through the school. It was one of my school’s science teachers, though, who introduced me to it and encouraged me to apply. It sounded interesting, like something that I would really like, so I thought I’d give it a shot. I like trying new things.

Yes, well, thanks. But I was just curious. As soon as I got to the University of Queensland, I enjoyed being in that environment. You know, wearing a lab coat, learning how research works, seeing the process first hand. It made science feel real to me.

At the time, every Ikubunkan student had to study abroad for a year. We had a variety of options. I chose Australia again, not because it was familiar to me, but because I knew that the teaching style or approach there emphasized research and reports, not just cramming for tests. That way of learning helped me to prepare for college-level work. And, of course, gave my English a real boost.

With a host family, and the family and experience were great. But it wasn’t always easy, to be honest. I had chores to do around the house, curfews to meet, real responsibilities to carry out. These were things that I wasn’t at all used to. But having to do those chores made me feel confident that I would one day be able to handle living independently abroad.

That’s a fair description. Both shaped me in different ways.

Right. And because of that, there weren’t many long-established clubs or societies for us to join, as there are in most Japanese high schools. Instead, our teachers urged us to create our own clubs and our own projects. That freedom was a huge chance for me. It meant that when I became interested in robotics—which I soon did—I was able to recruit some like-minded classmates, start a team, and build something from scratch.

Absolutely. Our team competed in the FIRST Robotics Competition, for which we got to travel all the way to Hawaii and Las Vegas. We did well enough to make it to the world robotics championships in Houston, Texas. That was another big turning point for me. Seeing how the U.S. invests in innovation in high school was an incredible eye-opener. I mean, there were whole arenas full of students who had built robots. It blew my mind. It also somehow got me thinking about maybe starting some sort of company one day.

Well, yes, but not on my own or all by myself. Together with some classmates, we founded a general incorporated association to promote STEM education in Japan. We raised sponsors, ran outreach programs, and mentored younger students. It’s technically a non-profit organization, but managing it felt like we were running a real business. We had board members, lots of legal paperwork to fill out, balance sheets to create. And we raised money. About eight million yen! That experience made me realize how much I love not just science but business as well.

Well, it’s actually really famous in Japan, so I had known about it since junior high school. But I definitely had never thought that I would ever have a chance to actually win a scholarship. But then another teacher encouraged me to apply. Somehow, despite all my doubts, I was accepted. And here I am.

I can’t say for sure, but judging from everyone else I have met in the Yanai Foundation community, which is really special by the way, I think we all share a natural curiosity and a tendency to take action on our own. Perhaps that explains why my application was accepted.

I guess you might say that it is surprisingly informal and warm. The foundation holds an annual camp where recipients old and new connect with one another across generations. Everyone I’ve met is passionate about their own field, whether it’s physics, biology, or the arts. But they’re all also open, friendly, and supportive. I’ve already met older winners who have studied at Cambridge, Stanford, and many other great schools. It’s inspiring to learn their paths and hear their stories, and to see how willing they are to help us.

I want to help commercialize Japan’s space industry, whether by launching my own company or by working with universities, government agencies, and existing businesses on new initiatives. Today, space exploration in Japan is largely government-run, but I believe the country’s strong manufacturing base and technological expertise make it uniquely suited to a thriving private sector. The automotive industry, for instance, already develops many technologies that could be adapted for commercial space use. Just as automobile production once fueled innovation and job creation, building and launching rockets could spark a new wave of progress.

Thank you! The Yanai Foundation really values students who use their global experiences to give back to Japan. And that is definitely what I want to do.

I look forward to that, too!