#Japan #Tokyo #Nippori Seminar #Yusuke Tanaka #WE MAKE ENERGY

Rediscovering Japanese Culture and Education

The Nippori Seminar, a radio show that invites guests from diverse backgrounds to share insights on career and culture, recently hosted Yusuke Tanaka, the CEO and Co-Founder of WE MAKE ENERGY Co., Ltd. This 31st episode explores the synergy between community-driven initiatives and sustainable practices.

A Journey into Sustainability

Yusuke Tanaka, born in Tokyo but raised in Sapporo due to his father's job, has always had a keen interest in food, nurtured during his time in high school where he played baseball. Under the guidance of his coach, who stressed the importance of nutrition, Yusuke developed a profound connection to the concept of 'food.' This connection was further solidified through his family's agricultural background, which ignited his passion for the subject.

Upon entering Waseda University in Tokyo, he stumbled upon a book on farmers' markets in the library. Mesmerized by a culture that was still foreign in Japan, he felt a spark of inspiration, although he had no idea that it would lead him to establish a successful farmers' market in the future.

After graduating, Tanaka joined Media Surf Communications, where he contributed to a promotional project for a farmers' market in the prime location of Omotesando. His longstanding fascination with food motivated him to take on this project. What started as a small endeavor quickly transformed into a well-regarded farmers' market at Aoyama's United Nations University Plaza, growing into a vibrant community over a span of 12 years.

Building trust with local farmers was paramount, and Tanaka often visited farms, helping with tasks and fostering open communication with the farmers. This hands-on approach helped solidify strong relationships, making the market a resounding success.

In 2021, Tanaka decided to forge his own path, leaving his previous job to focus on broader sustainability strategies. He embarked on various projects aiming to create systems that promote better coexistence between humanity and nature. Among these initiatives, he launched WE MAKE ENERGY in 2024, which emphasizes self-sufficiency in energy. His innovative approach redefined energy costs as 'resources', and he collaborates with businesses to enhance energy self-sufficiency and cut costs. His notable agreement with Setagaya Ward marks a significant step in this direction.

The Debate on Energy Inefficiency

Tanaka's journey reveals a deep-seated desire to address Japan's low energy self-sufficiency. He observed a troubling trend of cutting down forests to install solar panels and began to ponder the possibility of cultivating food while concurrently generating energy. This reflection led him to the creation of his own company.

In the first half of the radio episode, listen to Yusuke Tanaka reflect on his childhood connections to food, his journey establishing the farmers' market, and the lessons learned during that time. The latter half dives into his transition to self-employment and how he built WE MAKE ENERGY while outlining his vision for the future.

Be sure to catch this insightful episode of the Nippori Seminar, titled Connecting People and Nature: Yusuke Tanaka's Vision for a Sustainable Future, airing on various podcast platforms starting November 28, 2025, with the second part following on December 12, 2025.

More About the Nippori Seminar

The Nippori Seminar aims to uncover valuable insights from guests with multifaceted roles, focusing on career paths and cultural exchange. Much like a university seminar, it seeks to cultivate a community of learning and growth through shared experiences. Every week, new episodes are released, featuring main discussions with guests and supplementary sessions where LAMM representatives delve deeper into cultural themes.

Join the conversation on social media with the hashtag `#NipporiSeminar`!

• - Official website: Nippori Seminar
• - Tune in for the latest podcast episodes on multiple platforms.