An interview with Tomoko Matsukawa, a manager at the NPO Acumen, who designs educational content related to leadership and skills for solving social issues. She shares her experiences as a returnee to Japan, her education in the U.S., and the challenges she faced with English throughout her life.
松川 倫子 Tomoko Matsukawa
Manager at the nonprofit organization Acumen. She is involved in designing learning content focused on perspectives, skills, and leadership essential for addressing social challenges. Specifically, she played a central role in launching +Acumen’s large-scale online courses and is a core member of the Acumen Fellows Program, currently offered in Pakistan, India, and East Africa.
Her professional background includes positions at Goldman Sachs Japan and Globis Corporation. In 2012, she moved to the United States for graduate studies, earning a Master’s degree in Education in 2013. She is currently based in New York. Since 2016, she has also served as a board member of PIECES, a nonprofit organization in Japan.
Tomoko Matsukawa’s journey with English began at the age of four when her family temporarily moved to Washington, D.C., due to her father’s work. During this time, she attended a local kindergarten, but her memories of this period are faint. It was her first exposure to the language, though it didn’t leave a lasting impression.
Her next significant encounter with English came during her father’s transfer to the U.K., where she spent three years attending an American/International school. Initially placed in ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, Tomoko gradually transitioned to regular classes. She recalls the challenge of translating history textbooks line by line using a paper dictionary, a process she now views as one of the most intense learning experiences of her life.
When Tomoko returned to Japan in middle school, she enrolled in a private girls’ school that catered to returnees like her. She joined the advanced English class but found the subject neither particularly challenging nor inspiring. Her focus shifted to other areas, such as chemistry and mathematics, which she excelled in and enjoyed deeply.
During her final year of high school, Tomoko decided to study in the U.S., inspired by her chemistry teacher’s advice and her own desire for a more engaging, project-based learning environment. Preparing for the SAT was a significant hurdle, as it demanded advanced logical thinking and introduced her to obscure vocabulary. Despite the challenges, she relied on her strengths in math and science to secure admission to a U.S. university.
Life at university brought new difficulties. While Tomoko thrived in science-based courses, humanities subjects with heavy reading requirements were overwhelming. She spent long hours in the library, often studying with friends to stay motivated. By her third year, she shifted to a major that emphasized projects and design, reducing her reliance on extensive reading and allowing her to focus on communication and creativity.
After graduating, Tomoko returned to Japan and joined a multinational securities company. Initially, her role involved reading and writing in English, which she was comfortable with. However, a later position required her to communicate verbally with international clients under high-pressure situations, such as delivering concise, impactful updates in just five minutes. This marked another “English wall” in her journey, as she learned to navigate the challenges of persuasive and efficient communication.
In her current role at Acumen in New York, Tomoko faces the challenge of discussing abstract concepts like leadership and societal values with colleagues from diverse cultural backgrounds. She discovered that effective communication in such contexts required not only language skills but also trust, preparation, and the ability to bridge differing perspectives.
Throughout her journey, Tomoko has come to understand that communication is about more than fluency. Genuine curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a focus on building trust are key to meaningful interactions. She encourages others to take risks, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and surround themselves with proactive individuals to grow. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance and adaptability in overcoming challenges, both linguistic and cultural.
