Interview with Mikiya Kato

I first met Mikiya Kato in the staff room when he was on a visit to see one of his former teachers. He impressed me with his optimism and polite manners and as my students know, I consider these areas to be very important for success in life. Mikiya gracefully agreed to have our chat documented for this edition of the KTW and I think you will all agree that he will reach his goal and become a very influential teacher in the near future. Mikiya is now in the 3 rd year of KUIS after graduating from KIFL.

How was your childhood?

I was so noisy and often spoke to grownups even if I did not know them. I liked to tell others what to do. I was a little bit of a know-all. I liked to watch TV programs and monster movies (for instance, Godzilla, Gamera, ALIEN and others). As for TV programs, I liked animation, of course, but sometimes I enjoyed watching scientific ones or documentaries about nature and animals.

I did not want to be like everyone else and also disliked following trends. At that time, I did not like the things most people loved. So I started to study Korean and Russian which were not popular then but interested me. I often questioned what people were saying. At an end of term ceremony for my primary school, grownups said "The school students are especially diligent in our prefecture.” But I thought, "They probably say the same things in every school!” In fact, I disliked school and studying but I had an enquiring mind about anything that attracted me.

What books, stories or authors inspired you?

In fact, I preferred to look at photographs or illustrated books to reading novels or tales. My favourites were books about dinosaurs, animals, insects and planets. How they existed in nature fascinated me.

How did your school life influence you?

I was brought up in a village of only a few people. My class started with 12 students then dropped to 11 until junior high school. The class members rarely changed. When I became a junior high school student, I did not need to make new friends but this sheltered school experience was a bit narrow so I did not learn how to communicate with new people. At high school, I did not know how to reach out so was very much alone. It has been the most difficult time of my life so far. Actually, I gave up trying to make friends until my 2nd year when one of my classmates changed me. She was incredibly kind to me and treated me as a friend. Through her, I realized that having friends is enjoyable. When I understood that, I started to talk to more people instead of waiting for them to talk to me. It was not easy as I did not have the social skills to build and keep friendships. Some people walked away from me but I did not give up. After that, I completely changed myself and became more friendly and sociable. I think this is why I enjoyed KIFL life considerably.

Describe your study habits.

I completed my homework every day but I did not do anything extra work for school.

Once I had an interest in something, I really concentrated on it. Korean and Russian are good examples.

What was your favourite subject at school and why?

My favourite subjects were science (biology and physical geography) and social studies because I was just interested in them. I also liked art because I could draw or paint something freely.

Why do you have such high motivation?

I was not always motivated. It was a conscious change. I yearned for the high motivation of friends and teachers. I always thought about being a person like them. About two years ago, whilst preparing for the transfer examination, I became friendly with a group of highly motivated students. We often practiced for the interview and studied together at ILC, or cafes. I made some special friends and they encouraged me to have self-confidence which gave me motivation.

What is the driving force that helps you to set higher goals and take steps to reach them?

Yearning, fear and gratitude. Yearning; I want to be a person who is highly motivated, diligent and strict with myself - like some friends or teachers whom I respect. Fear because I do not want to go back to my former unmotivated self. I am mostly afraid of forgetting what I once learned and being left behind by my highly motivated friends. Gratitude for my family who support me and appreciation of the opportunities I now have to study and gain more knowledge. This is how I can repay my family. Some of my friends, who have graduated and are already working, regret that they did not study more at school or college. Thanks to them, I am reminded of the importance of using the chances I have now.

What is your personal mission in life?

To help other people.

To make others happy.

To be a role model and have a positive influence on others.

What are your long-term goals and how do you plan to achieve them?

I would like to make changes in our society. When I was a 6th grade student of primary school, I really wanted to be a politician because I thought that Japanese society was not fair and there was so much discrimination. I soon realized that what the people around us say has a much stronger influence than what the politicians are saying. For instance, the law which prohibits young people from drinking alcohol is not as influential as the pressure from seniors who coerce them to drink at parties. Young people are easily persuaded to do something that they should not by their peers or seniors even if they would like to refuse. This is one reason why I hope to be a teacher. I want to be a person they can trust so that they will be become strong and learn to make wise decisions. I think that a teacher can empower young people so that they can go forth and work together to change our society little by little.

How do you face your own challenges?

I ask others for advice, research for answers on the Internet or in books and sometimes it helps if I relax by reading interesting books, singing Karaoke, talking with friends and asking myself for advice.

If you could talk with a famous person or persons, who would it be and what would you ask them?

I would like to talk to three people face to face. First, Nobusuke Kishi ( 岸信介 , the former prime minister. I would like to ask him how he could accomplish his mission even though so many people criticized him. Second, Hiroyuki Yoshiie ( 義家弘介 , a teacher who was a reformed gang member - I'd like to talk to him about his philosophy of life. The final person, Mr. Keisuke Yoshino ( 吉野敬介 , is a private school teacher who was once part of a motorcycle gang. I would like to ask him about the challenges of making such a change to his lifestyle.

What is your favourite word or phase?

In Japanese : 自己投資 (jiko-toshi, investment in ourself), 努力 (doryoku, endeavour), 向上心 (koujou-shin, aspiration), 憧れ (akogare, yearning), 自律 (jiritsu, self-restraint) the English word, ‘improve' and in Korean: (sijagi-panida, (To start something, means that you have already finished half of it.)

What is the most important thing you would say to new students?

Look at accomplished, successful people, and imitate them. Always try to improve yourself. Some people say that you can play only during your student days but please remember, you can also only study in such a guided environment during these student days.