Date of publication: Dec 03, 2018

Victoria Ryabova

Attache: Embassy of the Russian Federation to Japan

Date of birth: Feb. 18, 1990

Hometown: Moscow

Number of years in Japan (cumulative): 15 (as of December 2018)

Q1: What was your first encounter with Japan?

I was lucky to be born in Japan, when my father was working in the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Sapporo. So sometimes, I call myself dosanko (born in Hokkaido). Unfortunately, I don’t remember much of that time, but I have every reason to believe that Japan is my second homeland.

Q2: Please state your motto in life and why you have chosen it.

I can’t say I have a motto. I have a guiding principle, which is to try to do my best in every moment of my life. Of course, I always keep in mind that no one is perfect and everyone fails. If it happens to me, the best thing I can do is to learn from my mistakes.

Q3 : Over your career, what achievement are you the proudest of?

I’m proud of people I’ve met. They are professionals and each of them knows something I don’t. So, I try to be curious about everyone I work with. The greatest pleasure for me is to notice that some of these people are also curious about me and to work as a team with them.

Q4 : What are your goals during your time in Japan, your current position or in life?

My goal is to learn as much as I can in every sphere of my life, whether at my workplace or out of it. Being at the very beginning of my diplomatic career and living here in Japan, the country I specialize in, I strongly believe that everything I learn and work for now will work for me in the future.

Q5 : What wisdom, advice or tips can you give to people living and working in Japan?

I would recommend to enjoy life in this fantastic country, use every opportunity to travel, meet new people and learn new things to be able to share this experience for the future benefit of your country.

Last updated: Dec 03, 2018