As reported earlier (https://www.friendsofutokyo.org/en/introducing-the-futi-alumni-slack-group/), FUTI has launched a new Slack group, a casual space for current and former recipients of the Friends of UTokyo, Inc. (FUTI) Scholarship to reconnect, collaborate, and support one another.
Four new UTokyo alumni volunteers have joined this initiative as members of the operating team. We look forward to working with them and to capitalizing on their diverse professional experience. Yuki Haba and Takeshi Komoto (FUTI Advisory Committee Member) and Masako Osako (FUTI Board Member) are also members of the operating team.
The four new volunteers are (in alphabetical order):
- Dr. Kiyono Fujinaga Gordon, Linguist
She completed doctoral coursework at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Arts and Sciences but withdrew after completing all requirements, and received a PhD in Linguistics from the University at Buffalo. Specializing in language,culture and applied linguistics, she is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Language, Culture, and Applied Linguistics at Carnegie Mellon University. https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/lcal/about-us/filter/faculty/kiyono-fujinaga-gordon.html - Ms. Minami Goto, Filmmaker
After graduating from the Faculty of Letters at the University of Tokyo, she moved to the United States and studied film production at Columbia University Graduate School. After obtaining her M.F.A. (Master of Fine Arts) degree, she returned to Japan. She currently works as an independent filmmaker based in Japan and South Korea. https://asahiminami.com/bio - Dr. Hoe I. Ling, Geotechnical Engineer
After graduating from the Faculty of Engineering at Kyoto University, he obtained his Master’s and Doctoral degrees (Civil Engineering) from the University of Tokyo Graduate School. His specialization is geotechnical engineering. While engaged in research and education as a professor at the Columbia University School of Engineering, he has actively supported educational exchange programs between Japan and the United States, including experiential programs for University of Tokyo students. https://www.engineering.columbia.edu/faculty-staff/directory/hoe-i-ling - Mr. Yoshikatsu Takeda, Business Executive
After graduating from the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo, he earned both an MBA and an MS from Boston University. He has served as President of MIKI HOUSE Americas, Inc. and MIKI HOUSE U.K. Ltd., overseeing the MIKI HOUSE Group’s business expansion across Europe and North America. He currently serves as Director and Head of the Global Business Division at MIKI HOUSE’s headquarters, where he supervises the company’s operations in 17 countries worldwide. In addition, he is actively committed to supporting the international engagement of younger generations through his roles as Representative of the New York Japanese MBA Association and Advisor to the Boston-based nonprofit organization United Planet. https://www.kyodo.co.jp/news/2025-11-10_3973567/
Dr. Geeta Mehta, FUTI Board Member, recently commented saying “I am very pleased to learn that Ms. Minami Goto, Prof. Kiyono Fujiwara Gordon, Dr. Hoe I Ling, and Mr. Yoshi Takeda have recently joined FUTI as highly valuable volunteers. Their exceptional credentials and expertise will substantially strengthen FUTI’s activities and will serve as role models for FUTI scholarship recipients and alumni.”
Masako Osako similarly observed, “Volunteers are important movers of organizations. I am encouraged that the alumni introduced in this article have taken an interest in FUTI and are applying their extensive professional talents as volunteers.”
