The Story Behind the Name “Sesera”

After spending her early years solely in Japan, Kiriko moved to the United States upon graduating high school. She earned a degree in journalism from Ithaca College and worked as an English-language reporter at AFP’s Tokyo bureau upon returning to Japan.

In 2001, she relocated to Germany and founded Sesera with the aim of shifting from international reporting to fostering deeper intercultural understanding between Europe and Japan. Based in Munich, she has supported a wide range of clients while also working as an officially appointed Business Support Agent for Shiga Prefecture, contributing to an environmental cooperation agreement with Bavaria’s Ministry of the Environment for seven years. Her work extends to academic collaboration as well.

Kiriko is certified as an intercultural trainer and moderator by DGKIT, and as a systemic coach by ISTOB. She also serves as a board member of the Bavarian–Japanese Association, organizing cultural events that promote dialogue between Germany and Japan.
In addition, she is a state-certified sports instructor and leads an NPO that uses the Brazilian martial art Capoeira to foster intercultural understanding among children. Deeply inspired by the musicality and fluid movements of Afro-Brazilian culture, she also finds grounding in the stillness of Zen Buddhism.

She hopes to share the joy of such cross-cultural discoveries with participants in her programs—cultivating not only understanding, but genuine excitement about encountering other ways of being.