Student Blog

5min read

College of Asia Pacific Studies 3rd-year student Rena Kawamoto here. I specialize in Culture and Social Media and have a keen interest in working in the media industry. So, this time, I interviewed Nagisa Sakamoto, who is actively working as a reporter at the Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK) Oita Broadcasting Station. She was also a senior writer for this blog (SPA), so I could interview her as her “kohai” too.

Alumni Profile

Name: Nagisa Sakamoto
Hometown: Kochi Prefecture
Graduation Year: College of Asia Pacific Studies (APS) 2021 (Major in International Relations)
University Activities: Loop. A.S., SPA
Current Position: Reporter at NHK Oita Broadcasting Station

Cultural Experience During Leave of Absence

To explore diverse cultures worldwide, Ms. Sakamoto enrolled at APU with an interest in international relations (war, conflict, and development). At the end of her second year, she took a one-year leave of absence, saved money through part-time jobs, and interned at an NGO in Mexico and backpacked through Southeast Asia. In Mexico, she taught Spanish numbers and letters to underprivileged children from impoverished areas in an open-air classroom in Chiapas. She always considered what she, as a Japanese person, could contribute and also shared Japanese culture. In Southeast Asia, she traveled to Laos and Vietnam, interacting with locals with just a backpack. In Laos, she made friends with locals, toured tourist spots together, and even visited friends in Ho Chi Minh City, showcasing her friendliness.

In Mexico

Interest in the Media Industry

Discovering her passion for learning about various worlds, writing, and meeting people, Ms. Sakamoto joined SPA as a student writer in her reinstated third year. At the same time, from June, she focused on applying for internships mainly in the media industry and began her job-hunting journey. She passed about one-third of the internships she applied for in the summer and winter. Although she applied to companies outside the media industry, she mostly succeeded with media companies. It seemed her aspirations aligned with her desired job roles. During her internships, she gained experience in practical reporting and writing articles.

Ms. Sakamoto during her “Loop.A.S.” activities

Advice on Entry Sheets and Interviews

Ms. Sakamoto learned the importance of having entry sheets reviewed by teachers, the Career Office, and friends to recognize one’s strengths and weaknesses. She also received guidance from her seminar teachers and friends. Additionally, she emphasized the significance of not only highlighting successful experiences but also discussing how to overcome failures to showcase problem-solving skills.

During interviews, she was often asked about her motivation for applying, so she was able to practice interviews at the Career Office and Tokyo campus, from basic practice to practical training. Also, since interviews require speaking logically, the seminar presentations were good practice. I also learned Ms. Sakamoto’s specially recommended practice method. You can make an appointment for a practice interview at the Tokyo campus, such as on the morning just before the actual interview. When she told them that she was about to have an interview, they tried to encourage her and complimented her! She received a lot of praise and gained confidence, so she was able to smile and speak clearly during the actual performance.

NHK Work Style

Currently in her third year at NHK, Ms. Sakamoto has experienced national relocation assignments during her employment. For the first two years, she worked as a police reporter at the Shimane Broadcasting Station. Since August of last year, she has been a reporter covering economics and agriculture at NHK Oita Broadcasting Station. As a reporter, she suggests story ideas to her superiors and proceeds with location shoots upon approval.

Points to Consider in Reporting

Ms. Sakamoto emphasizes three points in reporting: 1) Timeliness, 2) Originality, and 3) Relevance. Timeliness or breaking news requires speed, and when urgent, interviews are conducted over the phone. Originality involves building relationships with relevant individuals to obtain unique information. Relevance entails discovering topics of interest by reading newspapers daily. With these in mind, Ms. Sakamoto diligently pursues her reporting work while aiming to solve societal issues through reporting.

Advice for Those Aspiring to Join the Media Industry

She advises having a curiosity for various fields and interacting with many people. During job hunting, she stresses the importance of having confidence in oneself and showcasing problem-solving abilities in self-promotion.

Ms. Sakamoto at the NHK office

Impressions of the Interview

Ms. Sakamoto graciously accepted the interview despite her busy schedule, for which I am truly grateful. As I listened to her, I gained a deeper understanding of working in the media industry. Many may feel anxious about job hunting, but as she mentioned, I also realized the importance of moving forward in a planned manner and pursuing the path one wants to take. I'll do my best in job hunting!

To prepare for job hunting, it's essential to learn about current affairs from newspapers and television. We also received information about NHK's subscription fee exemption for students!
For more information, click here. (Japanese Language Only)

For NHK's recruitment information, click here. (Japanese Language Only)

Rena Kawamoto

Hello, everyone! I am Rena, an APS 3rd year. My hobby is mountain climbing. Enjoying the seasons is the true pleasure of mountain climbing. Through my activities in SPA, I want to share the charms of APU with everyone. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.