JOURNALIST
VIDEOGRAPHER
il vincitore del "Premio Umberto Agnelli" 2023 del Fondazione Italia Giappone (a Roma)
On FUSAKO SAKURAI
As fieldworker
Since my teenage years, I have walked through the fields (on the ground) of Japan and Italy, interviewing people involved primarily in local community development, as well as those with specialized skills in areas such as food, traditional crafts, agriculture, wine, and sake.
I pursue a style of thinking that is always grounded in fieldwork,
rather than in abstract theories or imagination.
Biography
2001 - Graduated from Hosei University, Faculty of Sociology, Department of Social Policy Science.
2001 - Joined Toppan Printing Co., Ltd. (now TOPPAN) in the Information and Publishing Division.
Worked in the International Promotion Department as a copyright agent and participated in the Bologna International Book Fair.
He introduced Bruno Munari's "1945 Series" to Japan. The Japanese version was published by Froebel-kan (now out of print).
2008 - Received the President's Award at Toppan Printing as part of the team for the launch of the Michelin Guide (Tokyo edition, 500,000 copies).
2018 - Worked in the legal department of a major U.S. music label, handling artist contracts.
2019-2023 - Served as a board member of a public interest foundation, contributing to social activities.
2020-2023 - During the COVID-19 pandemic, launched an online course on "Italian Wine Culture," serving as a lecturer and producing content as well as organizing live events.
The course ran for a total of 30 sessions, with approximately 60 interviewees and about 600 participants.
2023 - Received the Umberto Agnelli Award (by the Italy-Japan Foundation, Rome), which is given to outstanding journalists who contribute to mutual understanding between Japan and Italy.
Currently, I work as a freelancer, producing content in various forms.
Continuing fieldwork in the rural areas and small towns of Italy.
Certification: Sommelier of Italian Wine (A.I.S.)
Photography equipment: NIKON Z9 (photos and videos).
Hobbies: Shopping for fish and vegetables at Tsukiji Outer Market and taking walks in Hama Rikyu Gardens.