Not a typical civil rights leader or movement, but a Japanese innovator who’s trying to reshape society in a different way—Yoichi Ochiai. At first, I wasn’t sure if it would fit the theme of “social movements,” but my teacher said it was okay as long as I could explain how his work brings social change. That gave me confidence.
I plan to begin my presentation with a hook:
“What comes to your mind when you hear the word ‘technology’? Smartphones? Computers? Maybe even Doraemon?”
Since I have classmates from Brazil and Switzerland, I’ll briefly explain Doraemon as a Japanese anime character with futuristic gadgets like the ‘Anywhere Door,’ to set the stage.
After that, I’ll introduce Ochiai’s philosophy—how he uses technology to improve quality of life and make culture more inclusive. One of the most exciting examples I found is the “Sound Hug,” a device that allows people who are deaf to feel music through vibrations. This kind of invention really shows how tech can empower people and break barriers, which to me, is a form of social transformation.
To explain why I chose him, I plan to say:
“Yoichi Ochiai is not a protest leader, but a social change leader. Through innovation and creativity, he challenges how we see technology—not just as tools, but as expressions of human culture.”
I’m excited and a little nervous about the presentation, but I think it’s a good opportunity to introduce a new kind of leader—one who doesn’t shout in the streets, but still changes the world in his own way.
