Greeting from the Founder | 代表からのメッセージ

“It takes a village to raise a child.”

This proverb, which is said to have its origins in Africa, encompasses the spirit of what J-orientation represents. That is, communities play a large role in shaping families’ lives and their trajectories. Thus, for a community to thrive, the families, which are the foundation of a community, need access to the resources to help them thrive. These ideas are what inspired me to create Kyoto Orientation.

When J-orientation was established, my vision was to create a business that was customer-centric. This means that the services we provide should strive to designing and delivering solutions that are best suited to fulfill our clients’ requests. So, perhaps unlike larger companies, we offer a more personal touch by putting an extra effort by helping our clients feel comfortable to ask us for assistance and to put their minds at ease, knowing that they will receive the support they need.

This approach is largely shaped by my personal experiences of living in Japan and abroad. While I was born and raised in Japan (Nagano Prefecture), when I became a mother to three children, I felt “lost” even though I was in my home country. I, along with my husband, never imagined how challenging being a parent would be. When I started making friends with other mothers and their families, I was “found.” Becoming part of a “village” saved me in a way, allowing me to overcome the challenges of parenting and figure out how I can be the best mother possible.

When I was a teenager, I had similar feelings. At 13 years old, my family and I moved to Ethiopia, where we would spend the next three years. While I was excited to embark on this new adventure, I was also terrified about not knowing what our new life would look like. After the first while of living there, I felt lost in such an unfamiliar, though incredibly interesting, setting. Eventually, I made friends. We made great memories and learned how to enjoy our lives there together. Again, the “village” saved me.

Drawing from some of these experiences, I can relate to many of our clients. While every client has a unique set of challenges, their concerns are often common. Paying attention to the nuances, we try to offer services that understand the challenges associated with living abroad. Plus, for those with families, we understand the added layer of difficulty with navigating a new environment while simultaneously raising children.

In an era where many find themselves relying on the intelligence contained in the virtual world to answer questions and overcome challenges, it cannot replace the intelligence offered by fellow human beings who put their heart into serving offers. This is us – we leave no stone unturned and do our best to deliver the best results. We hope you will reach out to us and feel confident that you will get the best service.

Yoga, wine, cheese, and bonfire are a few of my favorite things to enjoy♡

I look forward to hearing from you.

J-orientation Founder
Megumi Nishi