Yoko Inoue is a writer and Japan-related communications advisor based in Copenhagen, Denmark
Writes regularly for Japanese media and appears on national TV, radio, and podcast as a journalist and guest speaker.
Supports clients in crafting and delivering the most relevant messages to the target audiences
20 years of experience at Japan’s largest newspaper, the Yomiuri Shimbun. Areas of news coverage include major industries and governmental ministries in Japan, climate change issues, U.S. correspondent covering the Obama White House, and more
Holds Master’s degree in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School with a Fulbright scholarship
Completed ‘Storytelling for Influence’ course at IDEO U
Lives in the centre of Copenhagen with her Danish husband and two young children
Uses her perfect pitch to play Danish songs on the piano at family gatherings
In 2008, when I was one of the hundreds of enthusiastic students who filled the large concert hall taking “the class to teach happiness”, which became the most popular class in the history of Harvard University, I had never imagined that I would later come to the “happiest country in the world” and have to explore my own pursuit of happiness.
The only occupation I ever held, until I came to Denmark in 2015, was that of a journalist. I had spent my days and nights following stories around the world. I felt a great sense of responsibility for the analysis and facts of my articles read by the 9 million daily readers.
I liked my job. I liked my colleagues and most of all, I liked exciting moments when historical events unfolded before my eyes. But when I faced the life changing choice to either stay a single-minded workaholic, or to finally have my own family at the age of 39 and start all over in a country where I had no connection whatsoever -I chose the latter.
But it was not simply “happily ever after”. Moving to Denmark meant that I had to rely on my husband in so many ways: language, finances and even legal status. Losing control over my life was scary. Career and academic achievements meant a lot less here in Denmark and I was away from friends who could cheer me up when I felt small.
Thankfully, because of the class I took more than a decade ago, I knew how to start again. I met new people, explored new possibilities and started to slowly understand what my past could mean for my future happiness. Like the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard wrote, “life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.”
As a writer and communications advisor, I will make the best use of my experience, bitter and sweet, my knowledge and storytelling skill.
So this is my story. And here is what I am willing to offer you.
