Kensei Sato Through his extensive experience with various NPOs and student organizations, Kensei Sato has deeply recognized the importance of dialogue-based international exchange, leading him to establish Brave Hearts. Leveraging the insight and drive cultivated through this process, he has dedicated himself to building a flat organizational culture that transcends age and position. Based on the philosophy that "youth power should be at the center of innovation," our goal is to create a Japanese society where everyone can sincerely feel that "it's great to live here." Kensei's vision is to harness the potential of young people to drive positive change in society. At Brave Hearts, he fosters an environment where innovative ideas can flourish, regardless of one's age or title. This approach has enabled the organization to tackle complex social issues with fresh perspectives and dynamic solutions. His leadership style emphasizes open communication, mutual respect, and collaborative problem-solving. By breaking down traditional hierarchical barriers, Kensei has created a space where diverse voices are heard and valued, leading to more inclusive and effective initiatives. Kensei's ultimate aim is to transform Japan into a place where people from all walks of life can thrive and feel a genuine sense of belonging. Through Brave Hearts' various projects and initiatives, he continues to work tirelessly towards realizing this vision of a more open, inclusive, and vibrant Japanese society.

Haruto Yamazaki Haruto Yamazaki is a co-founder of Brave Hearts and serves as the organization's principal researcher, providing a strong theoretical foundation for its activities. Specializing in international and development economics, he has developed a keen interest in the economic potential of multicultural societies. From his high school days, Haruto has been focused on global issues. Through his extensive research on Southeast Asian economic integration and cultural diversity, he discovered the remarkable economic possibilities that multicultural coexistence can bring. This revelation has become the cornerstone of Brave Hearts' guiding principles. At Brave Hearts, Haruto analyzes multicultural societies from an economic perspective, offering unique policy recommendations on balancing the economic contributions of foreign workers with social integration. He takes particular pride in developing the "Multicultural Coexistence Index," which visualizes the progress of multicultural integration in different regions. He hopes this index will contribute to more effective policy-making. Haruto's work bridges the gap between economic theory and practical multicultural policies. His innovative approach combines rigorous economic analysis with a deep understanding of cultural dynamics, providing valuable insights for creating more inclusive and prosperous communities. Through his research and advocacy, Haruto continues to demonstrate how embracing cultural diversity can drive economic growth and social harmony. His contributions are instrumental in shaping Brave Hearts' vision of a thriving, multicultural Japan. 高校時代から国際社会に目を向けており、東南アジアの経済統合と文化的多様性について研究を重ねる中で、多文化共生が経済にもたらす素晴らしい可能性に気づいたのです。この発見こそ、Brave Heartsの活動理念の根幹をなすものとなっています。 Brave Heartsでは、経済学の視点から多文化共生社会を分析し、外国人労働者の経済的貢献と社会統合のバランスについて、独自の政策提言を行っています。中でも、地域ごとの多文化共生の進展度合いを可視化できる「多文化共生指数」を開発したことは、私の誇りです。この指数が、より効果的な政策立案に役立つことを願っています。

Ryotaro Kikuma Ryotaro Kikuma is a key figure in Brave Hearts, currently serving as the Secretary-General and playing a crucial role in the organization's core operations. His experience and insights were cultivated through his international exposure as a 2023 Ito City Medway exchange student, leading to a profound understanding of multicultural coexistence. At Brave Hearts, Ryotaro has been instrumental in realizing a flat organizational culture that transcends age and position. Under his leadership, an environment has been created where each member can act autonomously with a clear sense of purpose, successfully maximizing the strengths of members from diverse backgrounds. Ryotaro's leadership style emphasizes open communication and mutual respect, fostering a space where innovative ideas can flourish regardless of one's background or title. This approach has enabled Brave Hearts to address complex social issues with fresh perspectives and dynamic solutions. Moving forward, Ryotaro continues to drive social change through Brave Hearts' activities, fueled by strong convictions and passion. His efforts demonstrate a new possibility for next-generation leadership and organizational management that embraces diversity. Ryotaro's ultimate aim is to transform Japan into a more inclusive and vibrant society where people from all walks of life can thrive. Through his work at Brave Hearts, he continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in creating a truly multicultural and harmonious community.

Nazuna Saijo During her high school years, Nazuna Saijo spent a year studying in the United States through the AFS program. This experience became a turning point, making her realize the importance of cross-cultural understanding and international exchange. Upon returning to Japan, she became passionate about international relations and was deeply inspired by the philosophy of Brave Hearts, which aims to "create a multicultural society based on dialogue," leading to her decision to join the organization. Highly praised for her excellent language skills and consulting abilities based on keen insights, Nazuna was appointed as the Secretary-General. Demonstrating strong leadership, she undertook a bold overhaul of the human resource development program, guided by her belief that "people are the core of any organization." Simultaneously, she plays a crucial role in constantly reviewing and appropriately adjusting the organization's direction from an objective and calm perspective. Her approach, which respects diversity and emphasizes dialogue, has earned her high trust both within and outside the organization. Nazuna's leadership and foresight have become the driving force guiding Brave Hearts to become an organization active on the international stage. Incidentally, her favorite movie is "The Silence of the Lambs."

George Okoth Academic Advisor at Brave Hearts, George plays a crucial role in strengthening the organization's theoretical foundation. His diverse experiences and international perspective are grounded in his career as an educator and his academic background. Background: Bachelor of Special Needs Education, Maseno University, Kenya English and Literature Teacher, Joyland Special School, Kenya (January 2019 - January 2020) Lecturer and Curriculum Coordinator, National University, Kenya (January 2020 - September 2022) Master of Arts in International Relations, International University of Japan (2022-2024) George's research focuses on "User Satisfaction with Public Services in Vocational Education and Training Institutions." This unique perspective offers a new approach to exploring the intersection of education policy and multicultural symbiosis. His research methodology blends practical experience in education with theoretical considerations, actively incorporating insights gained through his involvement with Brave Hearts. At Brave Hearts, George champions cultural diversity and contributes to creating an inclusive learning environment. His international experience and multilingualism (English, basic Japanese, Swahili, Luo) help broaden the organization's global perspective and foster mutual understanding among members from diverse backgrounds. Driven by the philosophy of "achieving a multicultural society through education," George is involved in developing educational programs and planning international exchange events. He supports a wide range of initiatives promoting multicultural understanding and youth empowerment. Notably, he employs a creative approach to support the organization's activities, including devising visual communication strategies utilizing his graphic design skills (CorelDraw and Photoshop), honed over six years of experience. George's ultimate goal is to create a society where everyone has equal opportunities through education and mutual respect for different cultures. To achieve this, he combines his educational experience with his knowledge of international relations to explore the role of education in a multicultural society. Even after completing his Master's program at the International University of Japan, George plans to continue contributing to the realization of a multicultural society in Japan through his work with Brave Hearts, leveraging his rich experience and international perspective.

Wayen Fu Ph.D. in Sociology, Clemson University Lecturer of Sociology, Clemson University