Thank you so much for your incredible support! The Counterpoint team is thrilled to wish you an amazing holiday season overflowing with joy and happiness. We truly appreciate you and are excited to continue this journey together in 2025!

Amanda Gillis-Furutaka (b. 1954) was born and educated in the UK and lived and worked as an English teacher in Europe, China, and South America before settling in Kyoto, Japan in 1988. She will be retiring from Kyoto Sangyo University in 2025 and plans to spend the rest of her life at home in Kyoto. For this reason, she would like to build a support network for others in the same situation. Amanda loves the outdoors, and especially exploring mountain trails. She is happy to lead hikes for those who wish to stretch their legs!

Aline Koza (b.1961) was born and educated in France, and came to Japan in 1986. She works as a freelance translator from home in Kyoto, where she is planning to spend the rest of her life. She hopes that this network of mutual help and support between non-native Japanese speakers and the local community will enable to make that stage of her life as joyful and meaningful as possible.

Rebecca Jennison (b. 1949) was born and educated in the U.S. and came to Japan in 1975.  In March 2020, she retired from Kyoto Seika University where she taught courses in literature, contemporary art history and gender studies for 40 years.  She lives in north Kyoto and is continuing to work on research, exhibition, and translation projects.  She hopes to help build a network of “senior” residents in Kyoto and Kansai that provides useful information and offers support and inspiration through the arts. 

Sae Cardonnel (b. 1970) was born in Osaka and is an art producer. She graduated from Kyoto University of Education and established MUZ ART PRODUCE in 2018 after working in Japanese painting, film production, art teaching, gallery work, at a French official cultural institution, and on the executive committee of international music and photography festivals in Kyoto. She also works in the planning and operation of cultural events and as an art consultant. She has worked on art events such as Nuit Blanche Kyoto, ARTAOTA, FOTOZOFIO, and Red Line. She is the Kyoto International French Academy Director and a member of the Kyoto Literature Residency Executive Committee.

Shirley M. Ando (b. 1957) was born in the Philippines, grew up in San Francisco, California where she met her husband, Koichi. She moved to Japan in 2000 and retired from university teaching in 2019. Retirement has afforded her the time to do the things she wants to do such as travelling and learning new things. Currently, she's learning how to build websites and playing the ukulele. She looks forward to a peaceful, active and joyful senior life.