Hello everyone, this is Chisato Tateno, 2025 Miss SAKE Japan.
On Saturday, August 30, I attended “Career Strategies in the AI Era” held at the Kanda Myojin Cultural Exchange Center EDOCCO, where I also served as the narration host. I participated in the event together with Kana Hazuma, 2025 Miss SAKE Runner-up, and Nozomi Saito, 2025 Miss SAKE Aichi.
Event Overview
This event welcomed distinguished guest speakers: Mr. Yoshiaki Sakito, former Vice President of Apple U.S. Headquarters and CEO of Dear Wonder Inc., and Rev. Ryugyo Kurashima, the 54th head priest of Shitennoji Temple of the Soto School. Joining them as moderators were Mr. Nobuaki Aiba, the 23rd representative of Jitoku-zan Tokuzo-ji Temple (Jodo Shinshu), representative of the Buddha Club, and author, as well as Mr. Naoki Sato, book editor at Byakuya Shobo Co., Ltd.
The four speakers engaged in discussions around the themes of “the power of lifelong learning” and “building one’s own axis” in the AI era, offering us the opportunity to reconsider how we should live in a rapidly changing society. After an opening address by Mr. Shinjiro Nakamura, CEO of DURATION Inc., two dialogue sessions were held, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A session.
Dialogue Session I – What Does Learning Mean in the AI Era?
First, Mr. Sakito delivered a keynote lecture. He emphasized that in today’s world, beyond “IQ (Intelligence Quotient),” what matters more are “EQ (Emotional Quotient),” “CQ (Curiosity/Creativity Quotient),” and “AIQ (AI Management Ability).” He explained that the key to nurturing these lies in “Creative Desire.” In other words, questioning what we truly want to do becomes the strength to survive turbulent times. Rather than seeing AI as a rival, he encouraged us to view it as “a partner that stimulates us and evolves alongside us.”
Rev. Kurashima, speaking from his perspective as a Buddhist monk, touched on the fact that “the role of humans is changing.” Approaches to AI within the clergy vary—some view AI skeptically, believing it can never replace human experiences through the five senses, while others actively embrace androids in religious practice. There is no single right answer. What remains common, however, is the growing importance of a deeper awareness of the “heart” in the years to come.
Dialogue Session II – How to Build a “Personal Axis” That Cannot Be Replaced by AI
Rev. Kurashima explained that a personal axis is born out of “縁(connections / fate)” such as environment and encounters, grounded in one’s own “knowledge” and “actions.” Reflecting on his childhood practice of zazen and his training abroad, he shared how maintaining respect, valuing rituals, and following a sincere “heart” rather than emotions can bring us closer to our desired future. His words were truly inspiring. He also highlighted his work as former president of the National Soto Zen Youth Association and his involvement in producing the film Tenzo, which deeply explored the theme of “faith.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Sakito drew on his experience at Apple and interactions with Steve Jobs, stressing the importance of a proactive mindset: “The world doesn’t change and then you change. The world changes because you change.” His words, “Life is full of blank spaces, and that’s what makes the future exciting,” left a strong impression, reminding us of the importance of always believing in possibilities and continuing to evolve.
Panel Discussion – Strategic Self-Innovation Starting Tomorrow
In the panel discussion, the speakers addressed concrete first steps to initiate self-innovation.
Mr. Sakito remarked, “What makes you superior to any great figure in history is the fact that you are alive now.” His words carried a powerful message: rather than settling for the status quo, we must believe in our potential, keep learning, and continue evolving. Being alive today means each of us holds limitless possibilities.
Rev. Kurashima spoke about the importance of ichigo ichie (“Once in your life time”). While heart-stirring encounters may become fewer with age, he emphasized that what matters is how we actively approach each meeting. With gratitude and sincerity, he urged us to honor every encounter as something deeply meaningful.
Insights from a Lively Exchange on AI
The Q&A session saw a flood of questions from the audience, resulting in lively exchanges that reflected the participants’ deep interest. I also asked, “How can we utilize AI proactively without becoming dependent on it?” Many in my generation already use AI tools like ChatGPT as companions for psychological support or information searching. In response, the speakers stressed the importance of constantly questioning what we truly want to do, as well as learning from examples of people who use AI effectively to gain a broader perspective on ourselves.
Other thought-provoking questions included: “How should self-identity be fostered in school education?”, “What is identity education in the AI era?”, and “How can we maintain mental well-being in modern society?” The speakers provided thoughtful answers from their respective standpoints, leaving a lasting impression.
Expanding Connections Through Shuen (Sake Connections)
After the lectures, a networking reception was held, providing the opportunity to engage with the speakers and participants. As Miss SAKE, we had the honor of serving Japanese sake, and many attendees enjoyed the special selection we prepared:
Miyagi – Ichinokura Junmai Ginjo Kura no Hana (Ichinokura)
Yamagata – Junmai Daiginjo Yamagata Sanga (Chiyokotobuki Toraya)
Ishikawa – Junmai Daiginjo Gorin (Shata Shuzo)
Nagano – Miss SAKE Nagano (Nanawarai Shuzo × Miss SAKE)
Aichi – Junmai Ginjo Shikaiou Yumesansui (Fukui Shuzo)
Aichi – Shosei Junmai Tatsuji no Sato (Nagai Shuzo)
Osaka – Katanozakura THEORY (Yamano Shuzo)
Kyoto – Junmai Ginjo Karaku (Shoutoku Shuzo)
Okayama – Gozenshu 1859 Bodaimoto Junmai (Tsuji-honten)
It was an honor to recommend the perfect cup tailored to each guest, whether they were already familiar with sake or tasting it for the first time. In this ichigo ichie (“Once in your life time”) gathering, I was deeply moved to witness how sake created bonds between people, adding color to conversations and fostering cross-cultural and cross-generational exchange through shuen (sake connections).
As Miss SAKE, I will continue to honor tradition while embracing the values of a new era, sharing the multifaceted charm of sake with the world. I aspire to ensure that sake shines ever more brightly as a cultural force that connects people in the AI age, remaining a cherished presence across generations and borders.
Chisato Tateno
2025 Miss SAKE Japan
