JAPAN and the WORLD Magazine JANUARY ISSUE 2016 #Issue 14 | Page 34

KYOKO SPECTOR
WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
but you need to be careful about not giving
up before. This also means that you have to be
willing to accept some reasonable amount of risk.
I continue working to maintain my will to
achieve my goals every day.
You are keeping very active contact
with the diplomatic corps and
international community in Japan.
How does this help you to develop a
stronger foundation for your business?
Without a doubt, over the past 25 years I have
had countless opportunities to meet diplomats
and dignitaries from Japan and other
countries. Currently, I am privileged to serve
as an Honorary Consul of Albania in Japan.
When meeting people, I always try to think first
about how I might be helpful to whomever I am
speaking with. My approach is to engage with
people to see what we might have in common.
It is amazing what you can discover this way.
Networking is perhaps one of the most
important keys to success. I meet many people
almost every day, but I have also enjoyed a broad
range of acquaintances over the years, from
Japan’s Imperial family and other royal families
to diplomats and parliamentarians, as well as
people in TV, newspaper, and magazine media.
Since 2015 Kyoko Spector has served as Honorary Consul of Albania to Japan.
KYOKO SPECTOR
GIVES HER ADVICES ON HOW TO BE BOTH A
SUCCESSFUL WOMAN AND ENTREPRENEUR
京子スペクターさんがアドバイス＝女性として成功し、
同時に起業家になるにはどうする
Her days are ful l of activity; in addition
to being a TV personality, a producer, an
advocate for many causes, a wife, Kyoko
Spector is also Honorary Consul of Albania
since 2015. Always busy, actively attending
official functions, charity events, work
meetings, Kyoko Spector takes to heart
everything she undertakes.
京子スペクターさんのみっちり予定の詰まっ
た毎日。TVのパーソナリティ、
プロデューサー
だけでなく、多くの社会問題の解決を訴え続け
ている。妻でもあり、そして2015年以来、在日ア
ルバニア大使館の名誉領事も務める。
公的な職務、チャリティーイベント、仕事の会
議などをこなす多忙な日々。手掛けることはす
べて本気で。
33 // JANUARY 2016
You are a real example of a successful
business woman in Japan. Can you
give us some tips on how to be both a
successful woman and entrepreneur?
I have never thought about a success simply
because you are a woman or a man, and I
don’t see any reason to think in this gender
category. This is not to say that men and
women approach their careers and undertake
their lifestyle choices in exactly the same way.
Sometimes I feel that because I am a woman,
I am able to develop a project and effectively
implement from my-female perspective. As
the French say, “Vive la difference”!
I know that there are always some obstacles
on a way to achieving my goals. But then I am
not giving up or loosing sight of my objectives
on the way to accomplishing them.
This does not mean that every idea is a winner,
Networking is all about building relationships
with individuals. I suppose that by now I
have built quite an extensive network. It is
a constant education for me to meet new
people because those I meet are often leaders.
I also try to do my small part in terms of
international diplomacy by telling people
about the wonderful country as is Albania.
Hence, rather than thinking about how my
own business will benefit after meeting with
diplomats, my attempt is to engage Albania
in variety of discussion whether is in private
conversation or through media.
If you had the opportunity to speak
out to all women around the world,
what would your message be?
I think to have a confidence is a key to achieve
personal goals. At the same time, you must
live your life keeping in mind what life is all
about. Maintaining a proper work/life balance
is very important. Just being alive is a great
blessing, which we must share with family,
friends, and colleagues.
What I am trying to say is that sharing is
important. Giving or receiving advices,
passing on information, or just staying in
touch will make everybody happy.
As an internationalized Japanese
woman, do you have any advice for
other Japanese women who wish to
follow in your footsteps?
JAPAN AND THE WORLD MAGAZINE