BX New Year Virtual Meetup
Cheers to 2021! We had a great time at our BX New Year Virtual Meetup last Friday, where over 60 BX Scholars, Alumni, and friends gathered online to welcome 2021 together. Thank you to all those who joined us and shared about their New Year traditions – we hope you enjoyed our new-year-themed trivia game and the uplifting musical performances by BX Alumnae Ayane Kanazawa and Yonako Kan. Until next time!
New Year Message from Mr. Ronald Chao
“We are in a terrible pandemic. In this moment of crisis, we must remember that nothing in this world is permanent. We must remain vigilant, but also optimistic and confident,” says Mr. Ronald Chao, Honorary Chairman of BXAI. “As with all activities, the Bai Xian programs have been impacted, but we know this is temporary. The AFLSP will emerge from these challenging and difficult times even better oriented to improve understanding and cooperation among nations. With your participation and support, we look forward to facing this new year together with positivity and hope.”
New Year Messages from BX People and Friends
Prof. Katsuichi Uchida
“The pandemic will condense 10 years into one year. I believe drastic and innovative ideas, which normally would take a decade to conceive, will emerge by the end of 2021,” says Prof. Katsuichi Uchida, President of BXAI. “This unique period of time offers our young scholars a great opportunity to put their ideas into action. Only the young can see a new society that the older generation cannot see. Only those who see the invisible can do the impossible.”
Ms. Angela Cheung
Angela Cheung, Communication & Development Committee member of BXAI, sends her love to all our Bai Xian Scholars and friends with a few words of encouragement for the new year ahead.
Ms. Helen Chen
“As we enter 2021 with COVID-19 still looming around the world, we must make this “downtime” our “uptime!” says Ms. Helen Chen, Communication & Development Committee member of BXAI. Whether picking up a fun hobby, staying connected with friends and family, or pursuing new learning (all are possible with technology!), Helen encourages us to stay mentally and emotionally healthy while not forgetting to get regular exercise and participate in outdoor activities (with proper protection and distancing, of course). “When we get through this rough patch, we will all come out as better versions of ourselves! Let’s stay passionate and resilient!”
Mr. Jason Lai
BX friend, conductor, and life coach, Jason Lai, encourages us all to welcome the new year by embracing a fresh perspective.
In Memory of Mr. Fumiaki Watari
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of Mr. Fumiaki Watari, Honorary Executive Consultant of JXTG Holdings, Inc., and Advisory Council member of BXAI. An ardent supporter of the Institute since our early days, Mr. Watari offered valuable guidance over the years that fueled the advancement of the AFLSP. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family.
[Recording] Dialogue with BX Alumni: Transforming Vision into Action
“We are living in an era where taking an action doesn’t require (lots of) risk. Whether it’s vision to action, or action to vision, if it’s your passion, go for it!” said BX Alumna Daum Kim at the “Dialogue with BX Alumni: Transforming Vision into Action” webinar on December 17, moderated by BX Alumna Ayano Sasaki and featuring another BX Alumnus Sho Hayashi. Sharing about how they brought their visions to fruition, our panelists have learned to stay honest to their passions, be confident in their uniqueness and skills, and collaborate with people who share the same vision along their journeys. “Instead of sticking to your project, stick to your vision. I truly believe that every one of us can be entrepreneurial and pursue our vision in our own ways,” said Sho.
Session Notes
0:33 Introduction of moderator and panelists
1:46 Self-introduction by Sho
9:59 Self-introduction by Daum
22:55 [Discussion question to Sho] How did you kickstart your project and manage the risks that came along?
30:06 [Discussion question to Daum] Why would you start your own social projects and what was the most difficult when starting one at the age of 15?
33:59 [Q&A] What would you say is the most important thing to focus on when starting your own company?
38:09 [Q&A] Where did the vision for your project come from?
44:43 [Q&A] What are your thoughts on choosing co-founders or initial team members?
51:10 Do you have any advice to people who are thinking about kickstarting their own projects?
What are the keys to transforming vision into action? Check out our graphic recorder Chan Wai’s visual recap to learn about Daum and Sho’s journeys to philanthropy and social entrepreneurship.
Meet the 2019 AIA Winning Team: Ethnic Neighborhoods
Virtual Meetups and Alumni Gathering
Even though we weren’t able to meet many of our community members face to face this year, we consider ourselves blessed to have had opportunities over the past three months to catch up and connect with scholars and alumni in Beijing, Hong Kong, Kyoto, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Tokyo online. We were delighted to see that some of our alumni from Kyoto, Seoul, and Singapore were even able to meet up in person. Can’t wait to see you all again soon!
BXAI Virtual Joint Orientation 2020
Our Virtual Joint Orientations were held between September and October, where we had the pleasure of meeting and connecting with our new cohort of Bai Xian Scholars. Scholars also enjoyed hearing from BX Alumnae including Ayano Sasaki and Kaori Kohyama from The Leads Asia, who spoke about fostering constructive dialogues between young people in Asia through their online discussion platform; as well as Kyoto University graduate Wan Ziyan, who is currently working in Tokyo and shared practical tips on job hunting in Japan.
A warm welcome once again to the newest members of the Bai Xian community! We look forward to seeing you again soon!
“Right when the pandemic was getting more and more serious in Japan, Ayano and I felt we needed to do something to counteract the growing skepticism of globalization and highlight the importance of a multicultural environment and the sharing of ideas,” said BX Alumna Kaori Kohyama, who cofounded The Leads Asia alongside Ayano Sasaki in April as an online discussion platform for like-minded scholars to discuss critical global issues. Watch their sharing from our virtual orientation to learn more about their work!
“The Bai Xian community is a great platform that connects alumni and students from different cohorts and regions – I’m thankful to have met lifelong friends and even colleagues through this community,” said BX Alumna Wan Ziyan. Currently working as a consultant in Tokyo, Ziyan shared openly about her job hunting experience and tips for working abroad. Watch her recording to learn more!
Allen ZHU and TANG Jiajie
“Our story began in 2018 when I first met Jiajie at a BX gathering in Kyoto – as a new scholar, I listened attentively to her sharing as an alumna. We didn’t talk much until we met again at BXAIJ’s New Year party the following year, and rest is history,” says BX Alumnus Allen Zhu from our 2018 cohort, who married fellow scholar Tang Jiajie from the 2017 cohort earlier this month and credits BXAI for bringing the couple together. “Thanks to the unappetizing food at our campus cafeteria, we found ourselves cooking together at each other’s homes a lot and gradually became closer.” Allen and Jiajie also had the opportunity to experience the 2019 Summer Program together, with Jiajie as a student ambassador and Allen as a participant. “I’ll never forget the moment at the gala dinner when I was on stage thanking BXAI for bringing Allen and I together, and Allen shouting ‘I love you!’ back to me in front of all our peers!” Jiajie reflects with a smile.
Congratulations to the newlyweds!
Grace KIM and Jessie MALIT
Meet BX Alumni Grace Kim and Jessie Malit, who chat with us about their Summer Program experience and how it broadened their views, honed their skills, and reshaped their outlook on the future.