Michiyo Yoshida's quiet demeanor and polite reserve belie a tireless energy for helping others. The founder of two nonprofit organizations in Japan working both nationally and across Asia, Yoshida has become an expert on international philanthropy, teaching courses on NPOs at universities in Sapporo and traveling all over the nation to counsel others.
Yoshida has also lectured at the United Nations University and throughout Southeast Asia, where her organizations Go! Fly! Wheelchairs and Neighbors have acted as humanitarian bridges uniting local disabled or disadvantaged communities with groups in Japan. In the past 18 months, she has spent considerable time in India, the Philippines, Kenya and Bali; she brought over an American documentary filmmaker to screen her film "Atomic Mom," which promotes peace through nuclear nonproliferation; organized a Christmas card drive for victims in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan; and visited Fukushima numerous times.
Yoshida downplays her accomplishments, preferring to discuss those she helps.