International collaboration is not merely an ideal, but something that is both achievable and essential

Please share your career after graduation from Ritsumeikan University.

TuanAfter graduating from Ritsumeikan University, I joined Valqua Ltd., based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, where I worked from 2015 to 2023. My main responsibility there was international collaboration with overseas partners. Between 2016 and 2022, I was stationed at the company’s offices in Thailand and Singapore, which gave me extensive experience working in a cross-cultural and regional business environment.

In 2023, I joined Honda Motor, headquartered in Toranomon, Tokyo. I am currently engaged in hydrogen business development, focusing on projects across the Asia-Pacific region as well as Europe.

Please tell us about your current work. What led you to this profession? (You are welcome to share how you find the work exciting and/or rewarding.)

TuanI’m a business development leader in the clean energy sector, specializing in hydrogen fuel cell solutions. Over the past three years, I’ve built customer relationships, strategic partnerships, and market insights that prepare the ground for successful commercialization. My focus is on connecting innovative technologies with real market opportunities and creating scalable business impact.

Motivated by the global energy transition, I’m now seeking to expand my impact in growth-driven environments where I can lead cross-border partnerships, drive commercialization strategies, and contribute to scaling sustainable technologies worldwide. Key strengths include strategic business development, relationship building, market analysis, and clean energy partnership development.

How has your experience at the Graduate School of International Relations influenced you, and what do you find most attractive about the program when you look back on your time there?

TuanMy experience at the Graduate School of International Relations has had a lasting influence on how I think about international cooperation today. During my time there, I was inspired not only by professors but also by fellow students from diverse backgrounds. Through daily discussions and collaborative learning, I came to realize that international collaboration is not merely an ideal, but something that is both achievable and essential for addressing global challenges.

Looking back, one of the most attractive aspects of the program was the quality and diversity of its faculty. Learning from reputable professors as well as visiting lecturers—including incumbent and former UN officers and diplomats—added a strong practical dimension to academic discussions. Their real-world perspectives helped bridge theory and practice in a meaningful way.

I was also drawn to the diversified curriculum and wide range of academic and extracurricular activities, which encouraged students to approach international relations from multiple perspectives. The international student community further enriched this experience, as everyday interactions naturally involved cross-cultural dialogue.

Beyond academics, the university offered excellent facilities, such as well-equipped research rooms and a gym, which supported both study and daily life. Finally, studying in Kyoto—an international city with a rich historical and cultural context—made my time at Ritsumeikan University especially meaningful and enriching.

Could you send some messages to prospective and current students?

TuanJoining this graduate program was a life-changing decision which I shall never regret. It helped open my mind to new possibilities and encouraged me to take up new challenges. Also, it guided me to a career path which includes a lot of travel and exchanges with people from different backgrounds. Thus, I encourage you to make the most of your time here, not only by studying but also by opening up yourself to the people around you.

February 2026