We Are Tomodachi Summer 2018

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26GRASSROOTS AMBASSADOR Friends of Japanwas having a conversationon the bus with an olderwoman,” Fang Rui recalls as shetilts her head back and smiles.“Somehow the topic of kimonoscame up, and I told her I had neverworn one. She invited me to herhouse, where she dressed me inone. It was an incredible experience.”Originally from Nanjing, China,Fang is a senior associate at TheBoston Consulting Group (BCG),a global management consultingfi rm. Her interest in Japan led herto study its language and cultureat Fudan University, Shanghai.She also attended MatsuyamaUniversity for a year as part of aforeign exchange program. “Peoplewere always friendly. I was happyto connect with other students wholooked past my nationality. It wasa great fi rst impression of Japan,”says Fang.After graduating, she enrolled atthe University of Tokyo for graduateschool. Two years later, a largeJapanese insurance company hiredher. “Japanese business interestedme—the idea of global developmentand work styles,” Fang says. “Duringmy six-month nesting period, I wasable to experience how differentdepartments do business. UnlikeChina, where internships and priorwork experience are in demand,the work culture here is one wherenew employees are raised in thecompany. I feel that nurturinghuman resources is one of Japan’sstrengths.”The Japanese government offers“IFang Rui brings China and Japancloser togetheras a management consultant,realizing new possibilitiesfor both countriesJAPANPEOPLE’S REPUBLICOF CHINAA Bridgebetween Chinaand Japan