Japanology Plus

S10E08 Japanophiles: Isabelle Sasaki

In this episode of the Japanophile series, we explore Japan through the perspectives of long-time expatriates. This time, we meet Isabelle Sasaki, a karate instructor originally from France. After volunteering in Ofunato, which suffered greatly from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, she decided to make it her home. There, she established a branch of the Japan Karate Association, becoming one of the few foreign women teaching karate in Japan. In addition to her martial arts passion, Isabelle promotes local tourism and assists her husband with scallop farming, all while sharing her love for her adopted community.