03 Our Coaches
People who understand your goals—and help you take the next step.
Meet our coaches, explore their experience, and find the support that fits your learning.
Yukari Iioka
Japanese
Intercultural Communication
“If you’re looking for a dynamic and engaging learning environment, I’d be happy to support your Japanese journey.”
About Yukari Iioka
- Style of Coaching:
- Dynamic, Engaging, Joyful, Highly customized
- Coaching Levels:
- Beginner to Advanced
- Coaching Experience:
- Over 15 years teaching in the US; teaching in Japan since 2010
- Professional Background:
- International Language Instructor, Intercultural Communication Specialist
- Likes:
- Inspiring the joy of learning, creating lifelong interest in culture
- Qualifications:
- Super-J® Lead coach, OPI tester qualification in ACTFL
Yuxuan Liu
EnglishChinese
Conversation, Business, Test preparation
“To me, learning a new language is opening a window to see a different world.”
About Yuxuan Liu
- Coaching style:
- Customized, dynamic
- Experience:
- Eight years in policy research, consulting, and communications in the US, China, and Canada. Focuses on natural intonation and practical, everyday language.
- Background & qualifications:
- Master’s degree in political science.
- Interests:
- Culture, nature, Taoism, Zen, classical music
Tashmika Sewsunker
English
Conversation, Business, Eiken, Interviews
“I teach in a manner that encourages them to speak without the fear of making mistakes.”
About Tashmika Sewsunker
- Coaching style:
- Supportive, encouraging
- Experience:
- Experience teaching senior high school English in Tokyo and teaching Taiwanese and Japanese learners online. Supports presentations, interviews, and exam preparation.
- Background & qualifications:
- BA and master’s degree in Psychology; 120-hour TEFL certification.
- Interests:
- Hiking, baking, reading, trying new food
Yumi Tachibana
Japanese
Daily life, Business, Test Prep, Calligraphy
“I enjoy planning lessons to suit your needs and thinking up exciting ways to make the lessons interesting and fun”
About Yumi Tachibana
- Style of Coaching:
- Exciting, Fun, Practical, Highly Customized
- Coaching Levels:
- All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
- Coaching Experience:
- Coaching business professionals in Tokyo; previously taught in London
- Professional Background:
- Language Learner/Expatriate (China, Thailand, Germany, UK), Literature major
- Likes:
- Reading, traveling, art museums, meeting people of all ages
- Qualifications:
- Qualified Japanese Language Teacher, Passed Japanese Language Teaching Competency Test
Mizuki Ichihira
Japanese
Daily life, Business, Test Prep, Cultural
“Let’s enjoy learning Japanese together.”
About Mizuki Ichihira
- Style of Coaching:
- Empathetic, Learner-focused, Encouraging, Valuing the learner’s point of view, and Cultural
- Coaching Levels:
- All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
- Professional Background:
- B.A. in International Liberal Arts (British Culture & Literature), Qualified Aromatherapist
- Likes:
- Books, dogs, nature, aromatherapy, travel, movies, yoga
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Jotaro Yamaguchi
Japanese
Business, Test Prep
“Through learning Japanese, the students' daily life has been enriched.”
About Jotaro Yamaguchi
- Style of Coaching:
- Practical, Encouraging, Career-focused, Adaptable
- Coaching Levels:
- All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
- Coaching Experience:
- Experience teaching daily conversation, business Japanese, and JLPT preparation at We
- Professional Background:
- General Corporate Employee, Studied in Canada & USA
- Likes:
- Coffee, communication, business discussions
- Qualifications:
- Qualified Japanese Language Teacher
Sayuri Itakura
Japanese
Daily life, Business, Test Prep, Cultural
“What I value most is learning while having fun.”
About Sayuri Itakura
- Style of Coaching:
- Fun, Supportive, Interactive, Goal-oriented, Tailored
- Coaching Levels:
- All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
- Coaching Experience:
- Coaching Japanese professionally since 2015
- Professional Background:
- Culture & General Affairs Specialist, Language Learner
- Likes:
- Classical music, practicing tea ceremony, cross-cultural exchange
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Eri Takeuchi
JapaneseEnglish
Daily life, Business
“Let's enjoy learning Japanese. Let's do it effectively!”
About Eri Takeuchi
- Style of Coaching:
- Bespoke, Fun, Open, Result-oriented
- Coaching Levels:
- Beginner to Advanced
- Coaching Experience:
- 6 years of volunteer teaching and extensive corporate training; professional teaching debut in August 2023
- Professional Background:
- M&A coordinator, Market research consultant, Department/account lead, System engineer
- Likes:
- Meeting new people, dogs of all ages
- Favorite Phrase:
- Less is more!
- Education:
- BA in Information Systems, Master's: MBA
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Fumiko Akita
Japanese
Daily life, Business, Test Prep, Cultural
“Communication is fundamental for business as well as daily conversation.”
About Fumiko Akita
- Style of Coaching:
- 100% Tailor-made, Flexible, Dynamic, Supportive, Developmental Psychology
- Coaching Levels:
- All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
- Professional Background:
- 33 years in Business (Marketing, PR, Communications, Sales)
- Likes:
- Music, traveling, reading, Japanese history
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Noriko Koyama
Japanese
Daily life, Business, Test Prep
“So let me know your needs and wants!”
About Noriko Koyama
- Style of Coaching:
- Tailor-made, Dynamic, Needs-based, Expressing opinions and thoughts
- Coaching Levels:
- All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
- Coaching Experience:
- Empathetic coach with 20+ years living abroad (Germany)
- Professional Background:
- Biochemistry, Scientist (Food Risk Assessment for 8 years)
- Likes:
- Art, Photography
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Mikino Shibata
Japanese
Daily life, Business, Test Prep
“Let's have fun studying and gain the ability to communicate in Japanese.”
About Mikino Shibata
- Style of Coaching:
- Attentive to details, relaxing atmosphere
- Coaching Levels:
- Beginner to Advanced
- Coaching Experience:
- Over 10 years teaching Japanese
- Professional Background:
- Linguistics Specialist
- Likes:
- Going for a drive, meeting people from various countries
- Education:
- B.A. in Linguistics, Master's in Japanese Education
Shoko Amimoto
Japanese
Daily life, Business, Test Prep
“So, let me know your wants and let’s have fun learning Japanese!”
About Shoko Amimoto
- Style of Coaching:
- 100% tailor-made, Dynamic, Practical
- Coaching Levels:
- All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
- Professional Background:
- Sales Leader (Insurance, 5 years), General Affairs (4 years)
- Likes:
- Historical places, new restaurants, karaoke, anime, writing novels
- Favorite Phrase:
- 情けは人の為ならず (One good turn deserves another)
- Education:
- Faculty Foreign Studies
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Hiroaki Tanaka
Japanese
Business, Cultural
“I wish I could have a chance to talk about differences between the culture of the students’ countries and Japanese one.”
About Hiroaki Tanaka
- Style of Coaching:
- Highly personalized, Conversational, Friendly, Cultural
- Coaching Levels:
- All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
- Professional Background:
- International Business (overseas assignments in the US and Philippines)
- Likes:
- Kabuki, Bunraku, Matsuri, learning about foreign cultures
- Education:
- Degree in International Law
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Yoko Nagase
Japanese
Daily Life, Test Prep
“I will design the lessons for you and let me hear your needs and wants!”
About Yoko Nagase
- Style of Coaching:
- Practical, Tailor-made, Problem-solving, Supportive
- Coaching Levels:
- All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
- Professional Background:
- Foreign banks (25+ years), Hospital secretary (7 years)
- Likes:
- Traveling (Mt. Fuji), reading, learning languages (Hindi), The Beatles
- Education:
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®, Completed 420-hour Training Course
Junichi Kawakami
Japanese
Business, Cultural
“I understand the joys and difficulties of learning a new language and would be glad to support you in the ways that would be comfortable for you.”
About Junichi Kawakami
- Style of Coaching:
- Comfortable, Supportive, Adaptable
- Coaching Levels:
- All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
- Coaching Experience:
- Many years teaching learners with varied needs and backgrounds
- Professional Background:
- International Transactions, Cultural Article Translator
- Likes:
- Exploring cultures, translating articles, learning languages
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Ayako Akeshiba
Japanese
Daily life, Test Prep
“I'd love to support you on your journey to learn Japanese!”
About Ayako Akeshiba
- Style of Coaching:
- Fun, Friendly, Dynamic, Customized, Practical
- Coaching Levels:
- All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
- Coaching Experience:
- Empathetic coach with language learning background
- Professional Background:
- Surgical Nurse (9 years), Study-abroad agency (4 years)
- Likes:
- Japanese tea ceremony, exercising, learning languages, exploring nature
- Languages Learned:
- English, Spanish, and Catalan
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Nahoko Tashiro
Japanese
Daily life, Business, Cultural
“Let's enjoy studying together!”
About Nahoko Tashiro
- Style of Coaching:
- Fun, Friendly, Customized, Tailored
- Coaching Levels:
- All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
- Professional Background:
- Corporate Finance (Bank, 10+ years), Foreign Company Employee (Lived in U.S.)
- Likes:
- Road bikes, yoga, making candles, traveling, Japanese history
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Hiroko Yamada
JapaneseEnglish
Daily life, Test Prep
“Let's make the most of our time and enjoy the process of learning and sharing.”
About Hiroko Yamada
- Style of Coaching:
- Fun, Dynamic, Customer-first
- Coaching Levels:
- All levels (Beginner to Advanced)
- Coaching Experience:
- Passionate online coach with international experience (UK)
- Professional Background:
- Program Development Director, Editor, Planner, Coordinator
- Likes:
- Yoga, Taichi-mix yoga, culture, art museums, movies, dramas
- Education:
- Linguistics, English Literature
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Veena Onishi
English
Business English, Conversation
“Please feel free to be yourself in our lessons, and rest assured that I’m here as a partner-coach in your journey.”
About Veena Onishi
- Coaching style:
- Interactive, immersive, reinforced learning
- Experience:
- Experience in HR management, learning and development, sales, and marketing across a wide range of industries. Former full-time instructor and corporate sales leader at We.
- Background & qualifications:
- Professional background in human resources and training.
- Interests:
- Cats, kickboxing, baking, cooking, travel, anime, nature
Orie Hagihara
Japanese
Daily conversation, Culture
“I aim to assist you in learning Japanese in a customized, dynamic, and relaxed atmosphere.”
About Orie Hagihara
- Coaching style:
- Customized, dynamic, relaxed
- Experience:
- Six years at English conversation schools, four years tutoring children, and experience supporting children with additional needs.
- Background & qualifications:
- Psychology, with a focus on developmental and clinical psychology.
- Interests:
- Tap dancing, animals, anime, manga, musicals, plants
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Hiroko Taira
Japanese
Daily conversation, Medical Japanese
“I hope to not only support your Japanese language learning, but also share the beauty and depth of Japanese culture with you.”
About Hiroko Taira
- Coaching style:
- Customized, friendly, interactive
- Experience:
- Extensive experience in pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, and dispensing pharmacies. Offers Japanese for medical and pharmacy settings.
- Background & qualifications:
- Pharmacy.
- Interests:
- Tea ceremony, history, travel, Ghibli, music, manga
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Takeshi Murata
Japanese
Business, Daily conversation
“Together, we’ll work to overcome language barriers and enhance your confidence in communicating in Japanese.”
About Takeshi Murata
- Coaching style:
- Fun, dynamic, customized
- Experience:
- 40 years at a Japanese trading company, including 10 years on assignments in New York and four years at a financial institution.
- Background & qualifications:
- Law.
- Interests:
- Economy, politics, Edo culture, music, movies
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
Rimi Taniguchi
JapaneseEnglish
Conversation, Japanese culture
“I’m passionate about helping people connect through language and culture, and I look forward to supporting your learning journey.”
About Rimi Taniguchi
- Coaching style:
- Fun, dynamic, customized
- Experience:
- Over 20 years in education and communication, including managing MEBAE Learning Center and teaching English and Japanese.
- Background & qualifications:
- BA in English and American Literature; licensed Sogetsu Ikebana instructor; RYT 200 yoga certification.
- Interests:
- Music, movies, kabuki, ikebana, rakugo
- Qualifications:
- Super-J®
