Profile of the interpreters

Reiko Nakamura

Born in Tokyo, Japan, I moved to Hiroshima and then to Sapporo in accordance with my father’s work. Through this experience I learned that Japan has richly varied nature. After graduation from Tokyo Women’s Christian College, I began my career as a journalist by working as a reporter for a small newspaper company. I am keeping my stance as an environmental journalist even now.

From 1984 to 1988, as a member of the Wild Bird Society of Japan (WBSJ), I led the project of conservation of cranes.

In 1990, I was involved in the foundation of the Ramsar Center Japan (RCJ), a membership-based NGO which has grown to cover 12 countries in Asia. I have been promoting wetland conservation and the Ramsar Convention in the region for more than 30 years in association with RCJ. In 2005, I became the first Japanese person to receive the Ramsar Wetland Conservation Award.

James McGill

Born in Muskogee Oklahoma in the U.S., I have lived in Japan for over 30 years. I came to study the language and culture and just never went back! I have a BA in Anthropology from Yale University and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from the Columbia University Graduate School of Business.

As a member of the Environmental Management Group in Sekisui Chemical Co., LTD., I worked on projects related to the promotion of biodiversity, environmental conservation and Education for Sustainable Development in cooperation with NGOs and Keidanren. I am currently a Senior Consultant in INTEM Consulting Inc. located in Shinjuku in Tokyo.

I have Level 1 in the Japanese-Language Proficiency test and a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. My Hobbies include Go, cycling, running, weightlifting and playing the guitar.