Role Model Interview: Hana Himura
Women in Technology Japan (WITJ)’s mission is to close the gender gap in tech and promote diversity and inclusion in Japan.
Our goal is to create a world where women can have the courage to truly shine and find employment in their ideal profession or industry and help as many women as possible to know about the possibilities of working in the IT industry.
This series features people working on the cutting edge of the IT industry, sharing their enthusiasm, thoughts, experiences, and stories.
In this edition, we feature Hana Himura, a young visionary entrepreneur of “OTO” shaping the future of Japanese artisanship. Read more for her biggest challenges and inspiring journey to start her own business.
Q1. Please tell us about yourself!
Thank you for having me! I’m Hana and I was raised in a bilingual household, with a Japanese dad and a Korean mom, and a I grew up in Mexico!
My entrepreneurship journey began during my university years at Waseda in 2022, right after the pandemic hit.
After my first semester, I went back to Mexico for spring break because my parents were in Mexico and a pandemic hit and got stuck in Mexico. Eventually I went back to Japan but since it was COVID time there was not much to do. So, I decided to figure out my career and took on an internship, which led to a turning point in my life.
Q2. How was your experience at the internship?
My first internship was at a Singaporean EC firm as a marketing intern. I had such a wonderful time with amazing Sempais that taught me what a great team should be. However, after a year or so, I realized I wanted to do more. Right after I quit my internship, one of my friends introduced me to the CEO of another company, and during the interview, I passionately shared some ideas. He saw potential in me and encouraged me to start my entrepreneurial journey and became my advisor!
That’s when it all began, with an idea revolving around NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. As a college student, looking for a path post grad, thought of using this technology as a digital business card, tapco—a sustainable alternative to traditional business cards that could act as a personal branding tool that carries all your professional information.
Q3. How did the experience lead to starting the current business?
The journey with tapco and NFC was exciting, but it became clear that the market in Japan for digital business cards wasn’t growing as quickly as we had hoped. We pivoted this idea to using it as a tool for offline to online engagement but we hit a wall, again. I had to finish writing my graduation thesis so I took a break and that’s when I started looking deeper into Japan’s cultural heritage. As a third-culture kid growing up abroad, I became fascinated with traditional artisanal products, like urushi lacquerware and kinshi, the gold leaf thread used in kimono and the fact that that is still here, in the 21st century after hundreds of years.
OTO, meaning “sound” in Japanese, was born out of a desire to amplify the voices of Japanese artisans and introduce their work to an international audience.
We act as a cultural agency, helping international businesses connect with Japanese suppliers of traditional materials. Our goal is to showcase these beautiful, sustainable crafts and help these centuries-old traditions thrive in the modern world.
Q4. I love the concept! As an entrepreneur, what obstacles have you faced, and how have you overcome them?
There have been many challenges! One of the toughest was adjusting to life after university, where I no longer had a routine. My friends had steady jobs, but I was still trying to figure out my next steps with OTO. It was hard to stay motivated when I wasn’t seeing immediate results.
I’ve learned that entrepreneurship is a long-term game. It requires patience, and I had to get comfortable with uncertainty. But once I had a clear vision for OTO—becoming a leading cultural agency connecting Japanese artisans with international clients—it became easier to stay focused.
Another challenge was finding a team. I was the only full-time member for the first six or seven months, which was isolating. But recently, I brought on a full-time team member, Hikaru, and having someone share the same vision has made all the difference.
Q5. That’s really inspiring. How do you stay motivated, especially during tough times?
For me, it’s all about the people around me. Having someone to build OTO with has been motivating. My friends also play a big role—we meet up once a month just to hang out, and that time away from work really helps me recharge.
I’m also driven by the artisans we work with. These are people who have spent their entire lives perfecting one craft. It’s such an honor to be able to share their work with the world and create a platform that celebrates their artistry.
Q6. What’s next for you and OTO? Where do you see your company in the future?
OTO’s goal is to become the leading cultural agency for Japan, connecting international clients with the incredible craftsmanship we have here. We’re focusing on B2B, working with industries like hospitality and interior design that use high-quality, handcrafted materials.
I also want to integrate technology into our work and I never lost my passion behind our initial idea. We would like to become a platform that uses NFC to authenticate artisanal products—while making sure that these traditional crafts continue to thrive in the modern world. Personally, one of my big goals is to make it onto the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. I know it’s an ambitious dream, but I believe in setting high goals.
Q7. You’re such an inspiring role model, especially for young women! What’s your take on empowering women in Japan, particularly in business and tech?
I think the landscape is changing. I’ve seen so many powerful, inspiring women in business and tech, both in Japan and abroad. On platforms like LinkedIn, I see women sharing their ideas and leading companies, and that visibility is incredibly empowering.
For me, being young and female in a traditionally male-dominated space can sometimes feel challenging, but I try to turn it into a positive. I may not have as much experience, but that means I can bring fresh ideas to the table. I’m surrounded by people who are supportive, and that makes a huge difference.
WITJ hopes that this role model story will inspire and encourage you to shine and find your dream job or industry.
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