Yoriko Gillard

Yoriko Gillard has been researching human relationships—kizuna—since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck on March 11, 2011. She has been a facilitator and teacher in many local communities, teaching academic Japanese language and cultural and liberal studies courses.

Yoriko is also an active contemporary artist and poet, sharing her works in academic and local communities with people who care about humanity. Her interest lies in the quality of life that humans seek while struggling to sustain positive and mutual relationships based on respect and trust. Her desire to connect with people harmoniously led her to focus on the kizuna concept/relationship, and she has been exploring descriptions and meanings of kizuna in Western culture for several years.