In November 2024, NPO Seibo invited Yoko Oku to conduct a lesson at Koen Women’s Academy Junior and Senior High School in Tokyo, where she runs Fairtrade ShopL!st. The session focused on building a career as a woman and her passion for fair trade, providing students with a valuable opportunity to hear from someone actively engaged in society.

Ms. Oku’s interest in international cooperation began in the fourth grade when she read a book by Mother Teresa. Later, while studying poverty issues in graduate school, she had the chance to visit Africa and India through fieldwork, where she encountered numerous people and experienced the beauty of diverse cultures.

She emphasized the importance of understanding producers’ thoughts through the purchase and sale of fair trade products and facing social challenges—experiences that have shaped her current activities.

Her time living in Portland, Oregon, also had a significant impact on her perspective. This city has a culture that supports sustainable business, and she shared her experiences as an active participant in that community. Currently, she has established an initiative called FTSL (Fairtrade ShopL!st), which supports fair trade shops across the country and promotes awareness of welfare and environmental issues through her research.

The lesson provided a renewed understanding of the importance of international cooperation, reflecting Ms. Oku’s dedication to connecting people’s hopes and expanding empathy through her commitment to fair trade initiatives.