We Are Tomodachi Summer 2018

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11“These interactions provide new waysto build bridges between Japan and Africa.”Peter Maina Wanjohi ABE Initiative Alumnus“The ABE Initiative improvesAfrica’s relationship with Japan.”Antony Karanja ABE Initiative Alumnushighly efficient production systems,and sustainable recycling efforts.Japan impressed Wanjohi from abusiness perspective, but the culture ofconsideration and courtesyleft a lasting impression.“ABE Initiative offeredme the opportunity toexperience business andinteract with a new culture.What I learnt in Japan wasgreat,” says Wanjohi. Nowthat he understands moreabout Japanese businesspractices, he would like toreturn to Africa to supportboth Japanese and Kenyaninterests.and Karanja is providing them withresearch and insights into the market.“More than aid, what Africa needsn o w i s b u s i n e s s . A i d f o s t e r sdependency, but businessprovides an opportunity foreach country to use its ownresources and develop thenecessary infrastructure forsuccess,”Karanja explains.“Both Japanese andAfrican companies areeager to work with eachother. However, the culturaldifferences can be a barrierto business success. Ihope to bridge that gap.”Peter Maina Wanjohi, one of thestudents from ABE Initiative’s thirdbatch in 2016, plans to start his ownbusiness in the future. He’s consideringfruit farming, which is gaining tractionin Kenya. However, shipping fresh fruitcan be risky and cost-prohibitive, so heis also considering other options.“Partnerships with Japanesecompanies could add value to fruitproducts,” he continues, “which wouldincrease the chances of success.”At Waseda University, Wanjohiconducted research on economicresults of education. During his stay inJapan, he also completed internshipsat AGC and Kewpie Corporation,learning about their rich product lines,“Africa and Japan are far apart,not only geographically, but alsoculturally and socially,” says AntonyKaranja, an ABE Initiative alumnusfrom Kenya. “The ABE Initiative isnarrowing that gap by facilitatingmutual understanding. I believe goodcommunication builds strong bridgesthat unite cultures, regions, andpeople.”Karanja was one of the fi rst studentsto come to Japan with ABE Initiativein 2014. After completing his master'sdegree at Kyushu University Schoolof Economics, he went to work forTechlight Mobile Lighting Co., Ltd.in Fukuoka. The company is lookingtowards new opportunities in Africa,