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Henry Seals: Citizenship, Communication, and Community in Japan
Japan has a reputation for keeping its foreign population at arm’s length. However, this interview reveals a different story
I first met Henry Seals, a fellow American living in Japan, at a Tokyo-based professional networking event in 2013. At that time, I had no idea I was exchanging business cards with someone who would eventually become a Japanese citizen and the first foreign-born, naturalized human rights commissioner in Japan.
Henry is a natural communicator, and this permeates all aspects of his life, from his impressive career to his own YouTube channel. As a long-term resident of Japan, I was especially curious about the impact of Henry’s Japanese citizenship, and in this interview, we dive into that topic and much more.
Japan has a reputation for keeping its foreign population at arm’s length. However, this interview reveals a different story. Most importantly, through Henry’s story, you’ll learn how you can get involved in your community, make a difference, and thrive in Japan, regardless of your nationality.
Reading the Air
What motivated you to major in East Asian studies at Harvard University, and how did this experience lead you to Japan?
I got into East Asian studies because I initially wanted to study linguistics. I wanted to come out of college knowing three or four different languages other than English and speak with anyone in the world. I thought I’d be a consultant or an advisor at some point in my life.
I was told that to earn a linguistics degree, I would only study one language and the rest of my time would be spent on linguistics. I didn’t really understand what linguistics was, but I knew that I wanted to study Japanese. I had been exposed to it in high school through a couple of exchange students and an exchange teacher. I was always hearing about the Japanese economy and other things about Japan. So, when I looked at the East Asian studies major, there was enough room for…
