“Today, it is not only international organizations and NGOs but also public and private sectors that are highly aware of sustainability. APS is an ideal place to learn about environmental issues and peacebuilding.”
The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Experience
Kazumasa applied for APS after working at a foreign-affiliated pharmaceutical company. What made you interested in peacebuilding?
Graduation ceremony at the Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines.
It comes from experiencing the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake when I was ten years old. At that time, the support provided by volunteers gathered from all over the country led me to want to work for the people in need. This is why I chose the medical industry – which is engaged in work to save people's lives after graduating from university, where I studied chemistry and genetics. Work was quite fulfilling, but I wanted to work for people in developing countries where medical care is needed more urgently, such as countries in Africa where malaria and AIDS are widespread. This was the reason I started thinking about changing my career.
I knew about APS in the employment guide in the field of International Cooperation at a bookstore for the first time. Until then, studying international development and peacebuilding closely associated with universities in the UK to me, but I came to believe that studying such subjects in developing countries seemed more reasonable. Moreover, APS provides most of the expenses necessary for studying abroad – this is a great opportunity, I thought to myself. From there on, I planned to apply for APS after gaining practical experience in the development field with the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Acquiring practical English skills
Please tell us about the majors you selected in APS and what was particularly impressive in your classes in the Philippines and Costa Rica.
I started thinking about Japan's energy policy right after the Fukushima nuclear accident occurred at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, and I majored in environmental development and peace – environmental security and governance.
I was impressed by the lecture style of the APS program. While most classes during my undergraduate days were one-way style, lots of courses in APS adopted interactive discussions and team presentations, which required me to raise opinions and respect others. I struggled with differences of the lecture style and language at first, but I became confident through trial and error.
One of the learnings was that delivering a message was more important than speaking like native English-speakers. The skill that I learned to share views logically while respecting the other person's opinion is also useful for my current work.
At the University for Peace (UPEACE), I was also impressed by communication among the students of different nationalities, religions, and skin colors were discussing environmental issues from a neutral standpoint. In the actual international community, it is not easy to form a consensus as the national interests of each country is conflicting. In particular, global environmental problems such as climate change may cause a clash of opinions due to the lack of transparency of the responsibility. It was refreshing for me to be surrounded by students from all over the world, discussing global issues seriously.
I used to walk 8km to go to the UPEACE campus in the morning for exercise. It was really nice to walk in nature. In Costa Rica, there is a famous surf spot called Jaco – about an hour's drive from the capital city, San Jose. I did my best to finish assignments as soon as possible so that I can spend most of my time there.
An ideal place to learn about environmental issues and peacebuilding
Interest in “sustainable development goals (SDGs)” and environmental issues is growing in Japan, but how is your experience of learning the field of the environment from a peacebuilding perspective connected to your current work?
Kazumasa as the facilitator from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, at a JICA initiated training for ASEAN countries.
After graduating, I wanted to get involved in international cooperation upstream, so I joined the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry that was assisting in the development of chemical substance control laws in ASEAN countries. After that, I got a job in a CSR report production company as a consultant and gained experience related to greenhouse gas reduction while overseeing the ESG (environment, society, governance) issues that private companies face. I am now involved in matters related to climate change at the Ministry of the Environment.
When I applied for APS, I did not clearly envision how to make use of learnings in APS for my future work, but I was able to imagine better through the classes, local life, and stories I heard from a couple of people of the Nippon Foundation.
For example, efforts to combat global warming can be said to be one of peacebuilding. The process by which developing and developed countries, come together and face global challenges is peacebuilding itself. It was APS that taught me specifically how environmental issues are linked to peacebuilding and what can be done to do so.
As any sectors are addressing social issues nowadays, I think we are entering an interesting era where anyone is able to get involved in social contribution. Through APS, you can learn global issues and international relations comprehensively, and you can learn different perspectives by country and region through discussions with classmates. This program is recommended not only for those who aim to work for international cooperation but also for those interested in the environmental field.
Kazumasa Okao | Born in Hyogo, 1984. After graduating from Ibaraki University, worked at a foreign-affiliated pharmaceutical company and joined the JICA’s Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers before joining APS as the member of the 8th batch in 2014. In 2015, received a Master's degree from the University for Peace in Environment, Development and Peace – Environmental Security and Governance. Upon graduation, worked at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to support the development of chemical substance laws in ASEAN countries. Following that, worked as a CSR consultant and eventually joined the Ministry of the Environment where he currently engages in international projects and negotiations related to the Paris Agreement.
APS Programme is supported by The Nippon Foundation. Interview by Chihiro Masuho (Class of 2012, APS Batch 5). English Translation by Kazumasa Okao and Mario Takahashi (Class of 2012, APS Batch 5).