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Ambassador - Kota Ishijima -
Profile
Art Director / Musician / Sports Business Commentator Former University Professor / Interpreter & Translator / Agent Transgender Woman
Raised in a multicultural environment, Kota developed an international sensibility, refined her creativity in New York, gained unique experience bridging MLB and NPB in sports business, and embodies the courage to live beyond gender boundaries.
Kota Ishijima is an artist, educator, and communicator whose life itself has been a journey of crossing borders.
Early Life & Education — Roots in Multiculturalism
Born in Tokyo in 1962. She lived in London, New York, India, and other countries from childhood, immersed in diverse cultures.
This environment nurtured her aesthetic sense and creativity, leading her to study at Parsons School of Design. While still a student, she was scouted by an advertising agency, beginning her career as an international art director.
Creative Career — Establishing Unique Art in New York
At Dentsu Young & Rubicam NY, she was promoted to Art Director at a young age.
During an era when “Japanesque” aesthetics intersected with the cutting edge of New York, she established a rare position combining Japanese sensibility with NY creativity, leading international advertising projects.
Sports Business Career — Bridging MLB and Japanese Baseball
In 1988, she joined the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (now SoftBank Hawks). Later, she worked in international relations and interpreting for:
・Seibu Lions・New York Yankees・New York Mets・Yomiuri Giants
Her contributions included:
・Interpreter for players such as Hideki Irabu and Hideo Nomo・Supporting international negotiations between MLB and NPB・Managing overseas training camps and media relations・Planning and operating the first World Baseball Classic (WBC)
She is recognized as “one of the people who worked behind the scenes to internationalize baseball between Japan and the U.S.”
Transition & New Artistry — Gender, Renewal, and Music
After the WBC, Kota confronted her gender identity and made the decision to restart her life.
During illness in 2007, she picked up the guitar, and her talent as a musician blossomed. After returning to Japan, she became a source of courage for fans and fellow artists through live performances and sessions.
Media / Writing / Academic / Film — A Multifaceted Creator
・Tokyo Sports: “Kota-nee’s Coming Out”・Weekly Baseball: “Transgender Baseball Studies”・Book: ”Inside the WBC”
In 2010, she appeared in Toru Ichikawa’s film Sakura Sakura. That same year, she served as a professor at University of Creation; Art, Music & Social Work, teaching music and arts.
As a translator, she worked on international projects such as Michael Jackson in Soul Train.
Current Activities — As an International Ambassador
Today, Kota serves as the official ambassador of the Earth Agent International Foundation, working on:
・Gender equality・Cultural and arts education・Youth empowerment・International exchange projects
Japan Gender Land
About Japan Gender Land
“Japan Gender Land” is a community-building project led by an international public interest foundation, designed to empower gender minorities. It aims to create a safe and inclusive environment where people who have long been marginalized can live, learn, and work, while building a new social model for the future. Your support directly contributes to launching this innovative initiative that combines both public benefit and forward-looking vision.
“Those who take action shape the era.” — We invite you to take this step with us.
ジャパンジェンダーランド
「ジャパンジェンダーランド」は、国際公益財団法人が主導するジェンダー当事者のための自立型コミュニティ創出プロジェクトです。 社会の周縁に置かれてきた人々が安心して暮らし、学び、働ける場を築き、未来に向けた新しい社会モデルを実現することを目的としています。あなたの支援は、公益性と先見性を兼ね備えた新しい社会モデルの立ち上げに直結します。
「動く者から時代を作る」――その一歩を、ぜひご一緒ください。
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