I was born and raised in Japan. Over the course of my childhood, I lived in the states. First when I was 7 years old. To be exposed in different culture in young age shaped me to who I am now. I came back again in high school and college as a foreign exchange student. Every time I came to the US, the experiences impacted my worldview. I naturally realized that people have various upbringings, cultural backgrounds and boundaries. What’s “normal” for me can be different for others. I developed empathy.

After I graduated college I worked in a corporate world. I got married and had my daughter in the hospital in Japan. Although my daughter was born healthy, it was not a pleasant experience.

In 2005, I moved to Los Angeles with my husband and my daughter. I knew I wanted to have different birth experiences. My journey to become a midwife began with my two home births. When I discovered home birth, I jumped right in. I knew that was what I wanted. With the help and support from my midwife, I was able to make my own decisions to birth in the way I felt safe and comfortable.