Sakura Mentor

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  Ms. Ha Hoang

  Vietnam

  Working at a computer memory company

  I took part in SSP in March 2016 at School of Science and Technology, Kwansei Gakuin University. Then a half of year later, I returned there for master’s degree as a MEXT scholar. Since 2019, I have been working at a computer memory company.
  Let’s have a talk when you need advice about studying, working or life in Japan.

  Column

  • Does work-life balance exist in Japan?
  • Sending your love to the world #4: care for mother earth
  • Sending your love to the world #3: reusable bags
  • Sending your love to the world #2: support your local area
  • How Is Working Life in Japan? - Part 2
  • Sending Your Love to the World #1: Donation from Little Things
  • Job-Hunting Notes - Part 4: Q&A
  • How Is Working Life in Japan? - Part 1
  • Job-Hunting Notes - Part 3
    Entry Test Preparation and the Gaussian Distribution
  • Student Life at Kwansei Gakuin University: Things I Miss After Graduation
  • Job-Hunting Notes - Part 2
    First Come First Served
  • Job-Hunting Notes - Part 1
    The Earlier You Decide to Prepare for Job-Hunting the Higher Chance You’ll Win
  • What is Your Favorite Japanese Word?
  • My Story to Get MEXT – A Full Scholarship
  • My Daily Life when I was an International Student in Japan
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  Mr. Rahul Maroju

  India

  Sustainability and Energy Analyst, Rakuten Mobile, Inc.

  In 2016, I had the opportunity to participate in the Sakura Science Program, which was a fascinating experience to explore Japan and the Japanese ways. This helped me broaden my thoughts and later, in 2020, I returned to Japan for my Master's program at the University of Tokyo and then started working at Rakuten. My topics of interest include Renewable energy, Climate change and Environmental sustainability.

  Column

  • My way to job in Japan - Part 2
  • My way to job in Japan - Part 1
  • Lessons from my job-hunting experience in Japan - Part 3
  • Lessons from my job-hunting experience in Japan - Part 2
  • Lessons from my job-hunting experience in Japan - Part 1
  • Comparison of Masters in Japan and India - Part 3
  • Comparison of Masters in Japan and India - Part 2
  • Comparison of Masters in Japan and India - Part 1
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  Mr. Johannes Nicolaus Wibisana

  Indonesia

  Ph D. student at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology

  In 2014, I joined SSP to visit Shizuoka University. During my brief time there, I was struck by Japan's unique academic culture, and I decided to pursue higher education in the country. I completed both my undergraduate and master‘s studies at Osaka University, and I am now working towards a PhD at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology. To learn more about my academic journey and research interests, please visit my website at jnicolaus.com.

  Column

  • Rotation System in Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
  • A Biologist’s Dilemma: To Stay Wet or Get Dry
    ─A Perspective from a Researcher in Japan─
  • The structure of the PhD program at OIST
  • Applying to the PhD program at OIST
  • OIST Science Challenge
  • About Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
  • Marine Activities in Okinawa
  • Moving to Okinawa from Osaka for my PhD
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  Mr. Sahil Dwivedi

  India

  CTO of Review Inc.

  I first came to Japan in 2015 through the Sakura Science Program, an amazing experience that inspired me to pursue higher education here. Since 2017, I have been living in Japan, where I completed my bachelor’s degree at Osaka University.

  Currently, I serve as the CTO of Review Inc., a data company based in Osaka. In this role, I lead new projects, manage the technical side of our business, and oversee team building, including hiring and mentoring engineers.

  Having interviewed more than 50 engineers from both Japan and abroad, I look forward to sharing my insights to help you explore career opportunities in Japan, prepare your documents, or get ready for interviews with Japanese companies. If you’d like to understand what working in Japan is really like, please feel free to reach out!

  Outside of work, I love to travel, climb, sail, ride, and build. Feel free to explore more about my projects and adventures at www.sahildwivedi.com

  Column

  • Advice for International Students in Japanese Universities Wishing to Work in Japan
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  Ms. Nusrat Omar

  Bangladesh

  Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, Osaka University

  Back in 2019, I was given the opportunity to participate in the Sakura Science Program, which allowed me to visit Osaka University and the corresponding laboratories for my discipline. The program was an incredible experience that opened my eyes to the world of the Japanese education and research system. Presently I am doing my Master's in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering in Osaka University and will pursue my PhD here as well.

  Column

  • The Hidden Challenges of Studying and Living in Japan: A Foreigner’s Perspective
  • Experiencing Cross-Cultural Classroom as a TA in Japan
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  Dr. Diah Anggraini Wulandari

  Indonesia

  Post Doctoral Fellow, Department of Applied Chemistry, Kyushu University

  I joined the Sakura Science Program in 2015 to visit Mie University, an experience that inspired me to pursue my doctoral studies at Kyushu University. Captivated by Japan’s outstanding research environment, warm community, and rich culture, I decided to continue my academic journey as a postdoctoral fellow in Applied Chemistry at the same university. Japan has become more than a place to study, but it’s where I continue to grow as a scientist and global collaborator.

  Column

  • Meet Nobel Laureates in Japan:
    A Rare Opportunity for Young Researchers and How to Join
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  Dr. Wai Hong Leong

  Malaysia

  Algal Bio Co., Ltd.

  I visited Sojo University under the Sakura Science Program in 2019 and that was the starting point which sparked me to further my career prospects in Japan. Fast forward to 2022, I returned to Japan as a postdoctoral researcher in Sojo University for about a year and am now working as a researcher at Algal Bio Co., Ltd, an algal biotechnology startup from the University of Tokyo since 2023.

  Column

• 

  Ms. Vaishnavee Mugunthan

  India

  Engineer, Fukaden Company

  I took part in the Sakura Science Program in August 2023 at the Nippon Institute of Technology, where I explored Japan’s academic environment and cutting-edge labs. The experience sparked my interest in working in Japan.
  Now, I’m based in Toyota city, Aichi, working as a Hardware Design Engineer after completing my degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering.
  Feel free to reach out if you’d like to chat about studying, working, or living in Japan!

  Column

  • My First Year in Kumamoto: Life, Learning, and Little Discoveries

Former Mentors

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  Dr. Lai Hung Wei

  Malaysia

  Former Head Coordinator of SSC Japan

  I joined the Sakura Science program back in 2016 where I was fascinated by Japan's cutting-edge technology and its people's passion for their work and duties. This had not only led me back to pursue my research career in Japan, but also strengthened my determination in finding out ways to build and expand the SSC community.

  Column

  • Coping with Food Restrictions in Japan
  • Religion in Japan
  • Four Seasons in Japan (Part 2)
  • Four Seasons in Japan (Part 1)
  • Best Tool for Japanese Job-hunting – Shikiho
  • From Student to Working Class in Japan – Differences and Ways to Overcome
  • Moving to a New Place in Japan
  • Life in Japanese Countryside – Kochi Prefecture
  • Why the Sudden Drop in COVID-19 Cases in Japan?─A Scientific Explanation
  • COVID-19 Infection in Japan
  • Coping with Research Activities During the Pandemic
  • Challenges and Coping Strategies as a Postgraduate Student in Japan – Part 2
  • Challenges and Coping Strategies as a Postgraduate Student in Japan - Part 1
  • How Does It Feel To Date a Japanese Woman
  • What Do Japanese Actually Do on New Year?
  • The Shocking Truths about Japan from an International Student’s Viewpoint
  • Laziness to Balance Important Coordinates of Your Life – Job Hunting and Graduate Research in Japan
  • A day as an international student in Japan
  • Pursuing Higher Education and Landing a Job in Japan
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  Dr. Pousali Mukherjee

  India

  I was very inspired and decided to do research in Japan during the participation in Sakura Science Program in July 2017. I applied for MEXT fellowship for PhD and was successfully selected as MEXT fellowship 2019. I’ve been doing PhD at Kyoto University since October 2019. Back in October 2018, I made a presentation at the 1st SSC Alumni Meeting in India held at the Japanese Embassy in Delhi, when I was a masters student of Earth Sciences at IISER Kolkata.

  Column

  • Research and Time Management
  • Temples and Shrine in Japan
  • What Surprised Me When I Came to Japan and Advice Based on My Experience
  • Life in Japan as an International Student
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  Mr. Huang Lei (黄磊)

  China

  Working at JBCC Corporation

  I visited Chubu University under Sakura Science Program in 2014. This experience made me decide to go on to graduate school of this university. I took a master’s degree of computer science and now am working at JBCC Corporation as a system engineer.

  Column

  • Have You Ever Worked Part-Time While You Were a Student?
  • Daily Life of an International Student Part 2: What Surprised Me the Most in Japan
  • Daily Life of an International Student