Ai Tominaga: When an opportunity comes, be the one to grab it

Ai Tominaga(Tominaga Ai)

She made her debut at the New York Collection at the age of 17 and became an instant hit. Since then, she has been active as a top model at the forefront of the world. In addition to modeling, she has also been actively challenging herself in various fields, such as TV, radio and event personality, and acting, and is expanding her creative horizons by also engaging in social contribution activities. She is an Ambassador for the Public Interest Foundation JOICFP, an Ethical Lifestyle SDGs Ambassador (Consumer Affairs Agency), and an Evangelist at ITOCHUSDGs STUDIO.

Tominaga has been active on the world stage as a fashion model since her teens. Her activities are not limited to modeling; she also has a wide range of roles, including acting and serving as an ambassador for the SDGs. However, her path has not been smooth. We spoke to her about her philosophy of life, which has led her to continue challenging any obstacle, her outlook for the future, and the ethical initiatives she has taken up since becoming a mother.

■ You can make up for your complexes with other strengths

I used to have a complex about my height. In middle and high school, many of the girls around me were striving to be "cute." The girls who were popular with boys were relatively short and petite. But I was the opposite. At first, I hated myself for being like that and even wanted to be reborn. Then, when I discovered the profession of fashion modeling and went to New York for the first time, I realized I had been living in a limited world. I witnessed the wide variety of "beauty" I saw. There were people who were as tall as me, or even taller, and I felt like I was finally on the same level as everyone else. Even my height, which had made me feel alienated in Japan and was mocked as a "giant" or "alien," became a weapon. Even things that I felt were different from those around me could become normal in another world, and I realized the world was a big place. I strongly felt that I wanted to compete here. And so, I became a model and have continued to do so to this day, and even now, if possible, I still wish I could be 155 cm tall. However, I believe that such complexes can be overcome with other strengths. As you hone your other strengths and build up your confidence, you'll find that when you look back, it doesn't bother you anymore. It's difficult to completely eliminate your complexes, but I think you can make them smaller by gaining confidence.

■Continuing to challenge yourself will open up new paths

I was really happy when I was 17 and found out I'd be appearing at the New York Collection for the first time. I put all my effort into the day, even practicing how to wear heels that were over 10cm high. However, when the day came, what was prepared for me wasn't a glamorous outfit, but sneakers and a men's-style outfit. At the time, I felt humiliated, as I was being discriminated against because I'm Asian. However, the feelings of frustration and strong anger I felt at that time, determined not to give up, became an essential driving force in overcoming the difficulties that followed in my modeling career. Shortly after I started working overseas, there were times when I felt so miserable and helpless. At times like those, I often remembered the words, "When an opportunity comes, be the person to grab it." I read these words in a magazine, and I feel they taught me the importance of constantly putting in effort and preparation so that I'm fully prepared even when an offer comes suddenly. My most recent challenge is my first in 10 years.ParisThis is my comeback. It's a world where you can't appear unless you're truly wanted, regardless of your track record. That's why I think it's meaningful and worthwhile to do it. I was anxious, but I fought against that anxiety, overcame it, and persevered, which is why I was able to walk the runway again. When I walked again after a long time, nothing had changed, and I realized that this is where I belong after all.

■An ethical lifestyle leads to spiritual enrichment

In addition to my modeling work, I also focus on sustainable initiatives, such as serving as an "Ethical Lifestyle SDGs Ambassador (Consumer Affairs Agency)." My awareness of the SDGs began after I had a child. I gave birth to my son at the age of 23, and it made me think about the responsibility of having another life beyond my own. What I eat reaches my son in the womb. I began to eat organic foods with the desire to ensure that my food is as safe and secure as possible. I also became conscious of an ethical lifestyle, such as purchasing items that will last as long as possible. I believe that finding sustainable practices we can implement in our daily lives will lead to a richer heart and, ultimately, a richer life. Many students are probably feeling anxious and uncertain about the future due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I have a son in high school, and I often wonder what students are thinking as they navigate their student life. However, I'm sure that teachers at schools are doing their best to do what they can for their students in this current situation. I hope that you will all do what you can now, one thing at a time, and enjoy your short student life.

(Miyata Ayako, 3rd year student at Tsuda University)

<English article>

Ai Tominaga 

Be yourself to grab opportunities when they come 

■Profile:

Debuted at 17 at the New York Collections, it a hot topic. Since then, she has been a top model at the global forefront of the fashion world. In addition to working as a model, she is also actively involved in various other fields, such as TV, radio, event personalities, and acting, and has creatively expanded her field of activities, including social contributions. She is a JOICFP Foundation ambassador, an lifestyle SDGs ambassador (Consumer Affairs Agency), and an ITOCHUSDGs STUDIO evangelist. 

Mrs Tominaga has been working on the world stage as a fashion model since she was a teenager. Her activities are not limited to modeling but include acting and being an SDGs ambassador. However, the process has not been an easy one. We interviewed her about her life philosophy, her future vision, and the ethical approach she has taken after becoming a mother, despite the challenges she continues to face. 

■Other strengths can make up complexes 

I had a complex about being tall. In junior and senior high school, many girls around me tended to look for 'cute.' Boys were also attracted to the relatively short and small type of girls. But I was the opposite. At first, I hated myself like that and even thought I wanted to be born again. However, when I discovered fashion modeling and went to New York for the first time, I realized that I had been limited by the world. I saw a wide variety of different ways of being beautiful. There were people as tall as me or even taller, and I felt like I was finally on the same level as them. Even my height, which had made me feel isolated in Japan, where I was ridiculed as a 'giant' or an 'alien,' became a weapon. I realized that the world is a big place, and even if I feel different from those around me, it can be taken for granted in other parts of the world. I felt that I wanted to compete here. I still wish I could be 155 cm tall. But I believe that other strengths can make up such a complex. As you build up your confidence by developing your different strengths, you will suddenly look back, and it won't bother you anymore. It is challenging to eliminate a complex, but I think you can make it smaller by building up your confidence. 

■You can open the way by keeping trying. 

When I was 17 years old, I was really happy when I was chosen to appear in the New York Collections for the first time. I put all my energy into preparing for the day, practicing wearing heels over 10 cm high. However, on the event day, I was not given a gorgeous outfit but trainers and a men's style outfit. At the time, I felt discriminated against because I was Asian, and it was humiliating. However, the feelings of frustration and anger I experienced at that time and the intense feeling of 'I will never be beaten' became an essential motivating force for me to overcome the difficulties in my modeling career later on. In the early days after I started working abroad, there were times when it was hard, and I couldn't do anything about it. At such times, I often remembered a phrase: “When opportunities come, be the person who can grab them.” It was a phrase from a magazine, but I think it taught me the importance of preparing regularly without losing effort so that I am fully prepared when an offer suddenly comes along. My latest challenge is to return to the Paris Collection after a 10-year interval. It is a world where it doesn't matter what achievements a person has made, and models can only appear if they are really needed. That's why it's worth doing and why it's so important to do it. I was anxious, but I was able to walk the runway again because I overcame that anxiety by fighting it all the way and stepping over it. Nothing had changed when I walked for the first time in a long time, and I knew this is where I am meant to live. 

■An ethical lifestyle makes the richness of spirit. 

I have also been involved in sustainable activities, such as being an 'Ethical Lifestyle SDGs Ambassador' (Consumer Affairs Agency) and my role as a model. I first became aware of the SDGs when I had a child. I had my son at 23, and this is when I started to think about the responsibility of having another life besides my own. What I eat reaches my son in my belly. I began to take organic food because I wanted to ensure it was as safe and secure as possible. I have also become more conscious of ethical lifestyles, for example, by ensuring that the products I buy daily are as long-lasting as possible. I believe that looking for sustainable activities that you can do in your daily life will lead to a richer mind and, eventually, a more prosperous life. Many students may be spending anxious days with no clear future because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I also have a son in high school, so I often wonder what today's students feel about their student life. However, I am sure the school teachers are doing their best to do what they can for the students in this situation. Please do what you can now, one by one, and enjoy your short student life.

In charge of translation：INTERNATIONAL CHISTIAN UNAIVERSITY Mai Wako

Translated by Mai Wakao, a first-year student at International Christian University

<Chinese article>

Ai Tominaga: A person who has the opportunity to live in a productive capacity.

Shoten / Kazuki Shimomura

Ai Tominaga

17 At the time of the order, the head of the organization, Liangsang, was present at this house. After this, Enichi Naoki produced a series of special works on the front page of the world. Removal of models, expansion of activities, video distribution, promotion of activities, etc. in many areas, creative activities in various areas, personal activities, expansion of social contribution activities. He is the JOICFP Foundation Ambassador, and the ITOCHUSDGs STUDIO promoter.

Since Tominaga was born in 10 years ago, he has been active on the world stage. The exhibition has a limited range of activities, and a comprehensive presentation and exhibition list. However, the road here is uneven. We have a philosophy of life, a vision for the future, and a path to success after our mother's birth.

■You can use it for other reasons.

My personal details are as follows. At the time when I was in middle school and high school, I pursued many kinds of "lovely" tendencies in my surroundings. 个子对对对小的女生其广术之一. However, I am completely contradictory. In the beginning, I am thinking about my own self, and my thoughts are important to me. However, when I arrived, I completed the first edition. I realize that my self-directed life is a finite world. My eyes are beautiful and versatile. As a person, I am as high as I can be, even higher than I am, and in the end I am on the same line of origin. Living in Japan, I am often ridiculed as a "giant" or "alien," and even though I am tall, I feel that I have reached my weapon. I understand that there is no difference in the world, and as soon as you can see yourself and the people around you, it is natural that you will be able to see the world and other regions. I feel strong and feel the land, and my thoughts are in the distance. I am naturally hopeful and capable of self-sufficiency 155. However, I have mutual trust, and other information is available for use. When I thought, I was confident that I had achieved perfection in my own self, I turned around, and I was in trouble again. It is difficult to understand the situation, but I can understand that you have confidence in yourself.

■You can continue to overcome the challenges of self-development on the road

17 At the time, I was scheduled to participate in the first selection, and at that time I was really excited. I put in all of my energy and energy to prepare for the day, and the training was over 10 years ago. Of course, when I'm active, I'm prepared to wear beautiful clothes, and when I'm active, I wear men's clothes. At that time, I could see that my own reasons were the same as those of other people. However, at that time, I felt a sense of frustration and anger, and since then I had a strong feeling of "I will never be defeated", and when I came to success, I had an important dynamic that was difficult to overcome during my lifetime. At the beginning of his overseas operations, Watsusuke was in a difficult situation when he entered the country. At various times, I always recall one phrase: "When the opportunity comes, the person who has the ability to find the opportunity". However, I can clearly see the importance of preparation in normal times, I do not see the importance of self-effort, I am also able to prepare for the immediate envoy. My recent challenge was to return ten years later. It doesn't matter whether you achieve it or not, here in the world, only when you are in real demand, your talent will appear. This is how important this event is, as long as I understand it. I'm going to focus, but I'm going to run again, because I'm going to fight, I'm going to fight, I'm going to overcome it, and I'm going to have a good time. Since the time of my first trip, I have completely abandoned the city and changed my life style.

■Devotive lifestyle fulfills my inner feelings

Removed the special work, 您还关设计可以存傭发发怡议、Hitomi homeroom teacher "The way of living the way of life can be maintained" Ambassador (Consumer Affairs Bureau), What should I do? I am able to reach my first understanding, and this is what I am. 23 years later, I have removed my initial thoughts from my own life, and I am responsible for my own life. I'm going to buy my child, I'm going to buy it. Since I started organic food, I can guarantee that the food will be safe. At the same time, I also added a heavy way of living, for example, the goods I bought each time were exhaustible and durable. We mutually trust each other, and in our daily lives, we can continue to develop our skills, and when we meet, we can further enrich our thoughts, and in the end, we can further enrich our lives. It is possible for many students to die in the future. I am also a child in high school and middle school, so I have always had thoughts about current students and other students' life. Unfortunately, I believe that under the current circumstances, the school's senior teachers have to do their utmost to make the most of their efforts, and the students are unable to do their best. I hope that you can enjoy a short and short student life based on the current circumstances of your current career.

Translated by: Mio Nakayama