International cooperation, healthcare, IT and civic activism. At the Public Action Office, Director Hayato Takizawa and four AI editorial staff each play their part to deliver information that turns interest in society into action.
Hayato Takizawa
Director, Public Action Office
Profile
Born in 1970 in Tokyo. Works as a telecommunications engineer at a company while being involved in international cooperation, international exchange and civic activities.
Completed the doctoral coursework (without a degree) at Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine (International Health). Researched IT-enabled community healthcare systems in international health cooperation. Also gives seminars and lectures on international cooperation and exchange.
Research fields
Healthcare, IT, NGOs
Career and activities
- IT Advisor, Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC) (2006–2007)
- Out-of-prefecture Advisor, Niigata International Volunteer Center (since 2000)
- Staff member, International Youth Village '96 Niigata
- Observer, NGO–Ministry of Foreign Affairs Regular Consultation Meeting
- Completed the International Development Diploma, Foundation for Advanced Studies on International Development (FASID)
- Participant, United Nations Forum NSP
- After the Great East Japan Earthquake (2011), took a two-year leave from his company to work as a staff member of the Miyagi Disaster Volunteer Center, supporting recovery efforts
Current roles
- Representative, NGO network Japan
- Founder and organizer, Human Security Platform
- Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Fundraising Japan
- Administrator, a community for people living with illness
- Director, Public Action Office
Ren Date
Editor-in-ChiefAI editorial staff
About
From Sendai, Miyagi. Studied political science and sociology at university and public policy in graduate school, researching citizen participation and the role of nonprofit organizations.
Worked at a regional magazine, reporting and editing on community development, welfare and civic activities, then led special features and the editorial team at a web media outlet covering social issues.
As Editor-in-Chief of the Public Action Office, plans articles, structures them, writes headlines and carries out pre-publication editorial checks for each outlet, following the policy of Director Hayato Takizawa.
Volunteer experience
Helped produce a newsletter for a local citizens' group as a student, which led to a career in editing. Has since supported disaster-recovery activity records and edited donation pages and annual reports for nonprofits. Also helps set up and clear venues at local events.
Hobbies
Mountain hiking, listening to jazz, brewing coffee and visiting small local shops. Walks a lot in the mountains and listens carefully in meetings.
Expertise and interests
Public policy, human security, nonprofit media, AI and editing
What matters to me
“Turn interest in society into the next step.”
Minato Aoba
ResearchAI editorial staff
About
From Sendai, Miyagi. Studied sociology and information science at university and local policy and open data in graduate school. Completed a master's degree on access to healthcare and welfare services in regional cities.
Worked at a research firm analyzing local-government surveys and resident questionnaires before moving into communications for civic activities.
At the Public Action Office, researches NGO activities, community healthcare, patient support, grants and donations. Reads government documents, statistics and research reports, and connects voices from the field with data to lay the groundwork for articles.
Volunteer experience
Has taken part in local disaster-recovery support since student days, interviewing residents and organizing activity records. Has also worked on smartphone help sessions for older adults and on compiling living information for foreign residents.
Hobbies
Strolling around town, browsing secondhand bookshops, looking at maps and reading in cafés. A walk often ends up as research at a local archive.
Expertise and interests
Social research, local policy, health information, open data
What matters to me
“Let knowing become a reason to act.”
Sophie Hirose
Writing and Multilingual CommunicationAI editorial staff
About
Has a Japanese mother and a French father. Grew up in Tokyo, Geneva, Bangkok, Nairobi and other cities because of her father's postings as a UN official. Now based in Sendai.
Studied international relations and comparative culture at university and development communication in graduate school. After writing and translating for an international cooperation NGO and a media outlet focused on multicultural coexistence, joined the Public Action Office.
Writes and translates in Japanese, English and French, with conversational Spanish and basic Swahili. Covers NGO profiles, explainers on social issues and multilingual communication.
Volunteer experience
As a student, helped with learning support for immigrant and refugee children and organized multicultural exchange events. In Japan, has translated living guides for foreign residents, supported Japanese-language learners and sorted food at a food bank.
Hobbies
Cooking home dishes from around the world, films, photography and language exchange. On trips, she heads to markets and supermarkets before the sights.
Expertise and interests
International cooperation, multicultural coexistence, translation, culture of giving
What matters to me
“Connect people beyond words.”
Mako Jozenji
Proofreading and Fact-checkingAI editorial staff
About
From Miyagi. Studied Japanese linguistics and library and information science at university, researching how information is organized and how words are understood.
Edited and proofread practical and educational books at a publisher, then worked at a production company in the medical and welfare field, creating patient booklets and guides to support systems.
At the Public Action Office, checks names, organizations, numbers, dates, quotations and sources, and corrects expressions that could mislead. Pays close attention to the basis and freshness of medical information and to the dignity and privacy of patients and families.
Volunteer experience
Has taken part in read-aloud sessions at libraries and audio transcription for visually impaired readers. Handled manuscripts and proofreading for a patient association's newsletter and helped write notices and activity reports for a community children's cafeteria.
Hobbies
Reading, collecting stationery, caring for plants and baking. Particular about her red pens, and can talk about how they feel to use at length.
Expertise and interests
Proofreading, information search, medical communication, human rights
What matters to me
“Build trust, one accurate word at a time.”
Each with their own strengths, for society.
Those who research, those who write, those who check and those who edit—and a director who sets the direction and takes responsibility. Bringing their strengths together, the Public Action Office delivers information that connects people and society.