In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

Sophia University
Kioicho 7-1
Chiyoda
Tokyo, Tôkyô, 1020094
Japan

Noriaki Aoyagi

1974 - 1978 Sophia University, Japan Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration Majored in Organization Theory and Leadership Noriaki Aoyagi holds a wide ranging career under his belt, with decades of experience in the financial, airline, and commercial industry. During the period working for Iberia Airlines of Spain, Mr. Aoyagi took on the role of the Japanese Handling Manager for Cuban Leader, Fidel Castro in his first visit to Japan.

Rab Paterson

Rab Paterson is Principle Instructor for the Toyo University-UCLA Extension Center for Global Education in Tokyo. He is the current Director and Webmaster of the Asia Association for Global Studies, a Fellow of the British Royal Asiatic Society, and Webmaster/Google Advisor for TokyoJALT. In addition he is a Google Certified Educator, Google Educators Group Leader, Google Certified Trainer, and winner of the Google Innovator and Apple Distinguished Educator awards. He has a BA(Hons.) in Pacific Asian History and an MA in Pacific Asian Studies from London University’s SOAS, a Certificate of Educational Technology and Information Literacy and an MS in Multidisciplinary Studies from SUNY(Buffalo). Currently, he's a doctoral candidate at University College London’s Institute of Education on the International Education Doctorate program, conducting research on various aspects of digital literacy.

Ruka Nagai

Ruka Nagai, a beauty enthusiast commonly noted for her makeup videos on YouTube which recently surpassed a total view of 2 million. Born and raised in the United States, Ruka discovered her passion for beauty at 15 years old. She began her YouTube channel in specifically in Japanese, in hopes to practice her native language while discussing about the wonders of beauty. At 17, she worked at IMATS New York, an internationally recognized trade show for makeup. Upon entering Sophia University, she became active within YouTube’s beauty scene where she worked with beauty brands on numerous promotional projects. Recently, she was crowned as Japan’s finalist for Beauty Bound 2017, a global competition to find Asia’s next beauty creator, hosted by skincare brand SK-II. Her 13.8K audience not only visit Ruka’s channel for beauty advice, but also tune in to hear about her positive lifestyle where she gives advice to her viewers.

Sei An

Faculty of Law, Environmental Law Major, 4th year. Current president of the 'Chinese International Student Association.' Arriving in Japan on April 16th of 2011, this is his 7th year living in Japan. The student association has been active in focusing on the theme of "international students supporting international students." For example, guidances for freshmen on the course registration method, company tours, job hunting seminars, and lecture meetings have been held in the past. The construction of an alumni network is also in progress. Furthermore, the Sophia University Guidance for potential international students organized by the association gathered much positive feedback. Cultural exchange events for Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese, Vietnamese students have been organized, with the hopes of an increase in the employment rate of international students, as well as an increase in opportunities for interaction

Yoshiki Seki

Born in 1996. Faculty of Global Studies, currently a junior. Having an interest in developing countries since he was a child, Yoshiki moved to Nepal alone as a high school sophomore. Over the course of a year, Yoshiki conducted research in over 30 rural communities, as well as acting as a local coordinator slash interpreter for NGOs and governmental organizations from Japan. As a junior in high school, he set into motion a school cleaning project called “Clean Bangla Green Bangla”, bringing in 2000 Bangladeshi university students, which ultimately grew to become a governmental project. After entering university, Yoshiki planned and coordinated a study tour that aims for cross-cultural interaction with Nepali students. The tour has been conducted 7 times, with over 200 students from both Japan and Nepal. On the side, he has collaborated on projects with UNICEF, and has also been an activist for “OPEN POLITICS”, which calls for the lowering of voting age.