New Board Member Introduction

My name is Atsushi Okuno. [Background] I was born and raised in Nagoya and have lived there most of my life, except for the 4 years I spent in Tokyo for university and my time working abroad. Nagoya is my home, I love this city for “Nagoya Meshi”, wide streets, proximity to nature, and, of course, the Dragons. [Work Experience] I’ve been with an automobile manufacturer in Aichi Prefecture for over 30 years, primarily in finance and sales finance areas. My career has taken me to the UK, Venezuela, Russia, and now, Canada, which is my fourth international assignment. [Personal Interests] I enjoy running, weight training, and staying both mentally and physically fit, reading books, and stock investment. Currently, a lot of my energy goes into managing a LinkedIn group I started earlier this year. In the past, I’ve pursued various activities like tennis, golf, surfing, aikido, kundalini yoga, and camping. [Introduction via JSS] I was introduced by a former director of JSS, and I’m eager to contribute and assist in any way I can. [Other] I love Toronto so much that I recently became a permanent resident of Canada. I look forward to working with you for the future!

My name is Akashi Kushida, and I recently moved to Toronto with my family this April. Before settling here, I lived in Singapore and Hong Kong, where I gained diverse cultural experiences that have shaped my perspective. Professionally, I have dedicated my career to social work, which focused on children and special needs education. My passion lies in ensuring that every child has the opportunity to be happy and enjoy their life, regardless of their circumstances.

More than 10 years ago, I volunteered at JSS, where I was involved in the Child Support Program and the Kosaten Project. These opportunities allowed me to meet and learn valuable lessons from many inspiring individuals. I am honoured to be a part of the JSS.I look forward to serving the Nikkei community here in Toronto as a member of JSS.