Growing up in a quiet, rural town, young Aki's life changed dramatically at the age of four when he first touched a soccer ball at his kindergarten playground. In that one moment, he developed a deep connection to soccer, and his humdrum days were lit with a burning desire to find a soccer team. However, the town where he lived at the time was too rural, and he was unable to find a team to join.

Three years later, at the age of seven, Aki heard that his best friend had taken up kendo, and he was intrigued enough to enter the world of kendo. From then until high school, Aki spent his days consumed by kendo. Although his dreams of soccer did not come to fruition, kendo opened him up to new horizons.The rigorous training, took place early morning in the extreme cold with temperatures dropping 10 degrees below zero (celsius). This practice trained his mind and body, sharpened his skills, and instilled in him the bushido spirit of respect and civility. These experiences had a profound impact on shaping him as a person. 

One particularly memorable moment was when he was 12 and entered a local team tournament. He would go on to sweep the competition and make a name for himself amongst the kendo legends. He was assigned the role of "forerunner" and played an important role in setting the tone for the team. The words of his coach had a profound impact on him, "You don't have to win, just don't ever lose. Your job is to give the team momentum." These words are still deeply engrained in his mind.

These experiences taught Aki  the importance of having a strong spirit to face challenges, have grit, and to contribute to a team. Today, these lessons empower him in his leadership and cultivating the culture of the workplace. It is without a doubt that this journey was invaluable to young Aki, and it has had a major impact on his growth and evolution.