Listen to Yusyokutai member about Yusyokutai

Andrew: Hi Evan! I am so happy to meet you up during this sunny day! Thank you for the time you are dedicating for this interview!

Evan: Hey Andrew! Thank you too for this amazing chance!

Andrew: As always, before I start, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

Evan: Of course! My name is Evan Kouichi Short, and I am enrolled at the 4th year Letters, EMP program. I am Born in Japan and grew up in Australia. To be honest I have different favourite foods, such as Sushi, or Korean, Italian and Thai food: I also like to mix them up!

Andrew: Ahahah talking with you is always fun! Well then, let’s start with our interview! The first thing I would like to ask you is to share with us an experience that is particularly important for you about Yuushokutai.

Evan: I would say that what I will always keep with me are the encouragements and the motivations to the juniors. This, in fact, means expressing gratification and appreciation for them and what they are doing. Also supporting multi-linguistic communication (among those, for example, who don't speak either Japanese or English) has been a fantastic experience for me.

Our first main aim, as Yushokutai members, is to recognize juniors’ value, through dialoguing, preparing some gifts, etc.: all little but value things.

The appreciation for the former Yushokutai members definitely has been determinant to me, as we all have been supported by them beforehand.

Andrew: That’s really great, Evan! I want to become Yushokutai too, next year! Actually I didn’t know about this group until a few times ago, but after seeing you all in action I have been truly moved! You rock guys!

Evan: Ahah thank you very much! I will be supporting you in that!

Andrew: Let’s jump now to the second question: how do you feel that Yushokutai activities have changed after the pandemic?

Evan: Well, a lot of things of course changed. I still remember that in the previous years I used to see Yushokutai members outside the Discovery Hall, dancing and giving as food and words of encouragement. We had to change a lot of activities, trying to figure out how to manage this new situation, while keeping supporting as best as possible. However, I feel that everything started from our determination to keep maintaining our primary promise to encourage them no matter what. As a Yushokutai member I believe that it is important to always keep this kind of determination in mind. Due to the Covid-19, there are also juniors who still are in their countries, so we need to support them even through online, letting them feel connected to us and to other students.

Andrew: Yeah, I do totally agree with that. I remember that Yushokutai really supported me while I was still in Italy last year. Because of the government restrictions, I couldn’t reach Japan at the very beginning, and I attended my first Soka University Festival online. I was very tired because of the huge time difference; nevertheless, I’ve been encouraged a lot from some members of Yushokutai so spontaneously. I am really grateful to you guys!

Evan: Our mission will be always leaving no one behind, no matter what!

Andrew: I feel you are accomplishing this mission greatly! And now, the last question for you, Evan: is there a determination you would like to share with the actual juniors?

Evan: Please, have fun in all the activites you are doing. No matter what you do and in what department you are, wherever you are, that is your chance to make friends all around the world and create value as a Soka Student. It is in the place where you are right now that you can feel how special this university is. You can have the chance to dialogue with people from different cultures, as well as learning to respect diversities. Please enjoy! Have fun! This will become an amazing treasure in your life, as this will let you manifest your own potential to become an amazing person in the future. This connection will remain for all your life: no matter the distance, friendship is one of the most important things in one’s life in my opinion.

Andrew: Thank you so much for these last words Evan, I am really happy to have such a good friend at Soka University! Thank you again for your time!

Evan: Thank you Andrew, I enjoyed participating! See you soon!