Returning to Queensland
I was born and raised in Osaka, Japan. Growing up in Osaka, I naturally loved manzai, rakugo, and Japanese comedy. I learned Japanese calligraphy from elementary school to junior high school. In high school, I served as the student council president while also leading the ikebana club.
My first overseas experience was a short homestay in Queensland, probably in March 1999, when I was in junior high school. Although I do not remember everything clearly now, I still remember my host sister Amy, the kindness of her family, and being scared to hold a koala.
Later, I studied in South Korea and also studied English in the United States. Even after those experiences, Australia stayed somewhere in my memory as my very first overseas destination.
At one point, I wanted to rethink my career and felt a change of environment would help. Somehow, Queensland came back to my mind naturally, and that is how I came to Australia once more.
Rediscovering Myself and Japan
Living in Australia has changed the way I see everyday life and made me appreciate small things such as the colour of the sky, the wind, and distant scenery.
People are often surprised that I am actually quite introverted, as many expect people from Osaka to be outgoing and funny. In Japan, I sometimes felt pressure from those expectations, but in Australia I feel much more comfortable being myself.
Living overseas has also made me appreciate Japanese culture more deeply. Being away from home has helped me realise how beautiful and special traditional Japanese culture can be. Sometimes I wish I had continued Japanese calligraphy or ikebana for longer. Moments like that remind me how much Japanese culture is still a part of me.
A Career Across Different Cultures
I studied Business Management at university, with a minor in Advertising and Public Relations. After graduating, I started my career in Tokyo and worked in sales and human resources across several industries. I also completed an MBA in South Korea while working in Japan.
During the COVID-19 period, I started working independently as a human resources and marketing consultant. In 2023, I came to Australia to rethink my career and future direction.
By chance, I was given an opportunity to work at Littles Lawyers, a law firm specialising in personal injury, and I am now supporting Japanese clients across Australia. My role includes handling enquiries in Japanese and supporting communication between clients and lawyers.
In my work, I always try to support people in a way that feels approachable and reassuring. Having lived and studied overseas myself, I understand how overwhelming it can feel to face an accident or injury in another country.
Looking back, many unexpected experiences have connected my life between Japan and Australia. I still feel that I am learning from both cultures, and I hope to continue building connections between them.
*I am always happy to connect with people interested in Japan, Australia, and cross-cultural experiences. You can also find me on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Mirei Toyokawa | LinkedIn
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