The guest lecturer will speak about her experiences in various countries working for JICA, NGOs, and charities.
The speaker worked in ten countries in Asia and Africa as a JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) expert while being a closeted lesbian, despite the fact that, as of 2026, homosexuality is still criminalized in 68 countries worldwide, primarily in Africa. She undertook long- and short-term assignments in Pakistan, Myanmar, India, Thailand, Rwanda, Senegal, Ethiopia, Zambia, Eswatini and the DRC Congo. She will describe the benefits of being an expatriate abroad, such as the ability to enjoy low commodity prices, opportunities to see the world during R&R leave, developing resilience, and providing motivation to work with passion. She will also speak about the establishment of her own foundation to support those whom she was unable to assist through JICA, including LGBT refugees and transgender women. She has visited refugee camps and met LGBT refugees in Malawi and made close friends with transgender women in Pakistan.
LECTURE: Rainbow Pride and International Cooperation: A Japanese Lesbian’s Journey to Asia and Africa
WHEN: Tuesday, October 27, 2026 (1:20 PM ~ 2:50 PM)
WHERE: Aoyama Campus; Classroom 940 (4th floor of Building 9)
SPEAKERS: Ms. Mana Tanaka
LANGUAGE: English
TARGET AUDIENCE: Any and all interested parties
BIO: Mana Tanaka graduated from International Christian University and spent almost 15 years abroad, starting with studies toward an MPA degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs in New York City. She has worked at the JICA Laos Office; for a local NGO in Rajasthan, India; for World Vision Ethiopia; and as a short-term and long-term Expert for JICA in Rwanda, Thailand and Pakistan. As a dedicated social worker, she managed to learn Hindi and Urdu during her field work in India and Pakistan. She is now the chairperson of the Munakata Foundation, which provides grants in Pakistan and Malawi [view projects funded by the Munakata Foundation here: https://mnkt.ch/services/]. She has self-published a collection of her essays entitled “Rainbow Pride and International Cooperation.” She is also a founding member of the Tokyo Rainbow Toastmasters Club. Toastmasters is the world’s largest public speaking and leadership training organisation.
