Vol.79 Discovering Who Am I Through the Challenge

Q.Self-introduction including career history

My name is Junpei Kasai. I spent my first 12 years in Gifu prefecture until elementary school graduation, then lived in Bangkok, Thailand for two and a half years due to my father’s work.

I entered Seikei High School and joined the tennis team during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside many teammates, we struggled together toward a common goal. During my time there, interacting with seniors much older than me and later coaching tennis at the affiliated junior high school after graduation, I encountered diverse people and environments. This experience made me realize the importance of never being satisfied with my current situation and always challenging myself to learn new things. This became a major driving force behind my decision to study abroad at a university overseas, even though I made that decision very late.

At university, I majored in two fields: Data Science, which I became interested in during high school, and Economics, which I discovered through a course I took during my freshman year. I also joined the tennis team. Since I couldn’t fully pursue competitive tennis in high school due to injury, I’m continuing it in the U.S.

My hobby is definitely tennis. I really hate losing, so I spend a lot of time focused on tennis. I’m also working on my physical conditioning to stay injury-free and see it through for the rest of my college years. Recently, I’ve also started watching movies little by little. If you know any good ones, please let me know!

Q.Why I decided to work at Green Carbon

There are two main reasons. First, I wanted to understand how what I’m learning at university applies to the real world, and I believed this experience would also benefit my remaining university life. Studying economics and data science, I wanted to see how this knowledge could be utilized in society. I also thought the internship experience would motivate me academically for the rest of my university years. Second, I joined because I wanted to do something meaningful during the long summer break. I felt spending three long months of summer break just working part-time would be a waste. So I sought out a place where I could make an impact, and that’s how I found Green Carbon.

Q.What kind of work I’m involved in

I belong to the International Business Department. I’ve been researching the potential of microfinance initiatives, and currently, I’m investigating where to place data measurement points within each field for the most efficient observations. What differs from university is that there isn’t always a clear-cut answer; I have to find or create the answers myself. At university, there were theories, numerical answers, and expected responses that could be graded. In my current job, I have to derive what seems like an answer myself, and it’s uncertain whether it will actually be the right one… But the need to grasp the essence remains unchanged. Since I’m in the Overseas Business Division, my research is fundamentally focused on international matters. I’m deepening my understanding of cultural and national character differences. My experience living in Thailand has been incredibly valuable here. Even between neighboring countries like Thailand and Myanmar, I feel their national characters are vastly different. So, rather than lumping all of Asia or Southeast Asia together, it might be better to consider each country, and perhaps even down to the regional level.

Q.Future Challenges I Want to Take On

What I want to challenge next is enhancing the social value of agriculture through data and systems. Humans cannot survive without food, yet in many parts of the world, farmers struggle to earn sufficient income, remain economically dependent, and lead difficult lives. Through my microfinance research at Green Carbon, I realized that simply changing technology or financial systems has the potential to significantly improve productivity and living standards.

Moving forward, I want to utilize AI and data analysis—though this is still quite a ways off—to engage in optimizing agricultural production and rice trading. Furthermore, I aim to challenge myself in building a society where more young people choose farming as a viable career option, not just pursuing efficiency.

Q.My Vision for 10 Years From Now

In 10 years, I want to become someone who can create change in societies across countries and regions, while truly understanding local voices.

My experiences in middle school, interacting with diverse people in different cultures and environments, taught me this: no matter how advanced the technology or theory, it must hold meaning in the lives and hearts of local people. I want to become someone who can bridge gaps in various ways, respecting local people, their values, culture, and way of life.

Q.Message for Those Interested in Working at Green Carbon

I believe Green Carbon is a company that seeks to create solutions through hands-on practice. Even as a student, the environment and experience of contemplating the essence of challenges in real-world social settings is truly invaluable. For anyone wanting to engage with the future of the environment and agriculture, I can’t think of a better place to grow!!