Rumi Seya's "My Profession is Disarmament" Published in High School Japanese Textbook
An excerpt from "My Profession is Disarmament" by Rumi Seya, President of Certified NPO REALs, has been published in Suken Shuppan's high school Japanese textbook, "Revised New Edition Modern Japanese." This aims to provide high school students with an opportunity to consider their future careers by learning about the realities of conflict zones and the forefront of peacebuilding activities.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 22:00
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This year, an excerpt from "My Profession is Disarmament" (published by Asahi Shimbun Publications), authored by Rumi Seya, President of Certified NPO REALs (Reach Alternatives, Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), an NPO dedicated to preventing conflict and creating a society where people can coexist, has been featured in Suken Shuppan's high school Japanese textbook, "Revised New Edition Modern Japanese." The realities of conflict zones and the forefront of peacebuilding efforts will be delivered to high school students who are considering their career paths.
■ Overview
The excerpt is included under the title "Taking One Step Forward" in the national high school Japanese textbook (for high school Japanese language courses). It depicts Ms. Rumi Seya, President of Certified NPO REALs, and her unwavering belief in "taking even one step forward" while confronting difficult realities, based on her extensive real-world experience on the front lines as an expert in conflict resolution and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR: disarmament, demobilization, and social reintegration of soldiers) in conflict zones around the world.
■ About the Published Content
The main text introduces three important principles Ms. Seya has cherished to keep moving forward despite facing numerous challenges:
* Maximize imagination.
* Even at the limit, try to take one more step.
* Possess the ability to think from a broad perspective.
Furthermore, Ms. Seya's message is conveyed: when one feels like losing the will to take even a single step, imagining oneself decades later regretting, "I wish I had done that then," can generate the power to move forward.
■ Comment from President Rumi Seya
Following its inclusion in an English textbook, I am delighted that my work has now been featured in a Japanese textbook for high school students.
I hope that as high school students consider their future paths, they will learn about the current situation in conflict zones and the efforts to build peace, and that at some point, somewhere, they will feel a connection between themselves, the world, and peacebuilding efforts. The ways to get involved are diverse – through work, support, or utilizing skills and knowledge. I hope this textbook can be an opportunity for them to feel, "Maybe I can do something too," instead of despairing in this turbulent era.
■ Textbook
"Revised New Edition Modern Japanese" Publisher: Suken Shuppan / High School Japanese Course, Title: "Taking One Step Forward" / Rumi Seya
■ Profile of President Rumi Seya
Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1977. Mother of two.
Graduated from Chuo University, Faculty of Policy Studies, and holds a Master's degree in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford, UK.
Served for 25 years as a conflict resolution expert at the UN and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leading negotiations with warlord commanders in Afghanistan and facilitating the disarmament of over 50,000 former national army soldiers. She established early warning and early response methods for conflict and terrorism prevention, and in the 2021 Afghanistan crisis, she enabled the evacuation of over 1,800 Afghans fleeing for their lives. She has developed various peacebuilding activities in Gaza, Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and other regions, including training women and youth as agents of conflict resolution, promoting community coexistence, and providing emergency aid. She is highly regarded globally as a leading expert in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, responsible for strengthening the capabilities of military, police, and civilian personnel of the UN and regional organizations.
Member of the Expert Panel for Prime Minister Abe's 70th Anniversary of the End of WWII Statement, and evaluation committee member for the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). Selected as one of "10 Women Who Leave Their Mark on the World" (The New York Times) and awarded the 32nd Yomiuri International Cooperation Prize (2025).
Key Selections/Media (Excerpt)
* 2000 Akino Yutaka Award
* 2009 Appeared on NHK "Professional: Shigoto no Ryugi (Work Style)"
* 2011 Newsweek Japan "25 Japanese People the World Respects"
* 2012 Nikkei Woman of the Year
* 2013 Avon Women's Award Grand Prize
* 2015 Selected for the UK Government's International Leaders Programme
* 2022 The New York Times "10 Women Who Leave Their Mark on the World"
* 2025 Yomiuri International Cooperation Prize.
Books
* Solo work: "My Profession is Disarmament" (2015, Asahi Shimbun Publications) - Bestseller, paperback edition.
* Her activities and books have been featured in high school English textbook "CROWN English Communication III" (Sanseido), high school Japanese textbook "Revised New Edition Modern Japanese," and university entrance exams.
■ About Certified NPO REALs
Certified NPO REALs was founded in 1999. It works on "activities to prevent conflict and build peace" and "emergency aid to save lives in crisis" in conflict regions. Currently, it operates in Gaza, Syria, Turkey, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Kenya, and other areas. It trains people in conflict zones, fostering their knowledge and aspirations to become agents of conflict prevention and peace.
■ Overview
The excerpt is included under the title "Taking One Step Forward" in the national high school Japanese textbook (for high school Japanese language courses). It depicts Ms. Rumi Seya, President of Certified NPO REALs, and her unwavering belief in "taking even one step forward" while confronting difficult realities, based on her extensive real-world experience on the front lines as an expert in conflict resolution and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR: disarmament, demobilization, and social reintegration of soldiers) in conflict zones around the world.
■ About the Published Content
The main text introduces three important principles Ms. Seya has cherished to keep moving forward despite facing numerous challenges:
* Maximize imagination.
* Even at the limit, try to take one more step.
* Possess the ability to think from a broad perspective.
Furthermore, Ms. Seya's message is conveyed: when one feels like losing the will to take even a single step, imagining oneself decades later regretting, "I wish I had done that then," can generate the power to move forward.
■ Comment from President Rumi Seya
Following its inclusion in an English textbook, I am delighted that my work has now been featured in a Japanese textbook for high school students.
I hope that as high school students consider their future paths, they will learn about the current situation in conflict zones and the efforts to build peace, and that at some point, somewhere, they will feel a connection between themselves, the world, and peacebuilding efforts. The ways to get involved are diverse – through work, support, or utilizing skills and knowledge. I hope this textbook can be an opportunity for them to feel, "Maybe I can do something too," instead of despairing in this turbulent era.
■ Textbook
"Revised New Edition Modern Japanese" Publisher: Suken Shuppan / High School Japanese Course, Title: "Taking One Step Forward" / Rumi Seya
■ Profile of President Rumi Seya
Born in Gunma Prefecture in 1977. Mother of two.
Graduated from Chuo University, Faculty of Policy Studies, and holds a Master's degree in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford, UK.
Served for 25 years as a conflict resolution expert at the UN and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, leading negotiations with warlord commanders in Afghanistan and facilitating the disarmament of over 50,000 former national army soldiers. She established early warning and early response methods for conflict and terrorism prevention, and in the 2021 Afghanistan crisis, she enabled the evacuation of over 1,800 Afghans fleeing for their lives. She has developed various peacebuilding activities in Gaza, Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and other regions, including training women and youth as agents of conflict resolution, promoting community coexistence, and providing emergency aid. She is highly regarded globally as a leading expert in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, responsible for strengthening the capabilities of military, police, and civilian personnel of the UN and regional organizations.
Member of the Expert Panel for Prime Minister Abe's 70th Anniversary of the End of WWII Statement, and evaluation committee member for the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS). Selected as one of "10 Women Who Leave Their Mark on the World" (The New York Times) and awarded the 32nd Yomiuri International Cooperation Prize (2025).
Key Selections/Media (Excerpt)
* 2000 Akino Yutaka Award
* 2009 Appeared on NHK "Professional: Shigoto no Ryugi (Work Style)"
* 2011 Newsweek Japan "25 Japanese People the World Respects"
* 2012 Nikkei Woman of the Year
* 2013 Avon Women's Award Grand Prize
* 2015 Selected for the UK Government's International Leaders Programme
* 2022 The New York Times "10 Women Who Leave Their Mark on the World"
* 2025 Yomiuri International Cooperation Prize.
Books
* Solo work: "My Profession is Disarmament" (2015, Asahi Shimbun Publications) - Bestseller, paperback edition.
* Her activities and books have been featured in high school English textbook "CROWN English Communication III" (Sanseido), high school Japanese textbook "Revised New Edition Modern Japanese," and university entrance exams.
■ About Certified NPO REALs
Certified NPO REALs was founded in 1999. It works on "activities to prevent conflict and build peace" and "emergency aid to save lives in crisis" in conflict regions. Currently, it operates in Gaza, Syria, Turkey, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Kenya, and other areas. It trains people in conflict zones, fostering their knowledge and aspirations to become agents of conflict prevention and peace.