Hello, my name is Minako Sudou (Sufiya). I live in Fukushima, Japan—a region deeply impacted by the Great East Japan Earthquake and the nuclear disaster. Rooted in this land, I continue to engage in work that gently fosters connection and quiet transformation in society through Nonviolent Communication (NVC).

I first encountered NVC during a time in my life when I was living in a state of overwhelm and emotional numbness. In that closed and frozen place, I experienced the shock and joy of having my voice truly heard—and that moment led me to the path of NVC. Today, I facilitate a year-long learning program called Kirin School, where we explore what it means to live NVC in everyday life. My work also includes trauma-informed community support, parent-child relationships, collaboration with local governments and schools, and creating spaces for intercultural dialogue across Asia.

I continue to explore the nervous system patterns shaped by the patriarchal structures and cultures of silence I grew up within. From this perspective, I cherish the connections between social systems and life itself, the act of giving voice to the voiceless, and the meaning of choosing to be fully alive in this moment. To me, NVC is both a prayer and a practice. I carry both the strength that nonviolence can bring when it works, and the pain of when it doesn’t—and still, I wish to pass it on to future generations.

While my work is rooted in the Japanese language and context, I believe that the power of resonating through shared human needs transcends cultural and national boundaries. It brings me joy to keep meeting companions who share and celebrate life, wherever that may be. My mission is to bring the skills of communicating with compassion and clarity to individuals and communities through my own being, and to train together. I’m excited about the connection that may bring us together. I truly look forward to the day we meet.