It’s been 15 years since I came to the United States. Here in the Bay Area of California, where I work, there’s a large Asian community, and we’re fortunate to have many Japanese clients as well. One of the things I really like about working in a salon in the U.S. is that I can take care of a client from start to finish—starting with the consultation, then shampooing, cutting, blow-drying, and finishing everything myself. In Japan, there’s a system where assistants—who are training to become stylists—help out, so it’s common for multiple people to be involved with one client. That system allows for efficiency, like handling multiple clients at once, but personally, I really value being able to focus on one client at a time, getting to know them well, and providing the entire service myself. I feel very grateful for that, and it’s one of the things I find most appealing about working here.

Many of the clients who come to us trust Japanese techniques, and as a Japanese stylist working in the U.S., I want to continue providing that level of quality with pride.