Amanda Gillis-Furutaka (b. 1954) Born and educated in the UK, Amanda lived and worked as an English teacher in Europe, China, and South America before settling in Kyoto, Japan, in 1988. After 33 years of teaching, she retired from Kyoto Sangyo University in April 2025. With a background in academic leadership, Amanda has also served as Board Chair of Kyoto International School (Gakkō Hōjin NPO) from 2005 to 2010. Now planning to spend the rest of her life in Kyoto, Amanda is committed to building a support network for others in a similar stage of life.

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 and raised in San Francisco, California, where she met her husband, Koichi. She relocated to Japan in 2000 and retired from university teaching in 2019. Retirement has provided her with the opportunity to pursue personal interests, including traveling and lifelong learning. She is currently studying web development and enjoys playing the ukulele. She looks forward to a peaceful, active, and fulfilling senior life.

Nathalie Matsuzawa is French and has lived in Japan for 34 years. She came to Tokyo as an engineer with expertise in mathematics, social economics, finance, and computer science. Nearly 30 years ago, she founded one of the first computer support services for individuals and SOHOs in Fukuoka. She now focuses on translating official documents and assisting with administrative matters through Infos Locales au Japon, often working with government agencies to support the foreign community. She looks forward to contributing her experience to Counterpoint and helping build a supportive network in Japan.

Christine Meguro (b. 1961) was born and educated in France. She moved to Japan in 1990 after meeting her Japanese husband in the United States. Over the years, she built a career in Finance, working for various American and French multinational corporations in a range of roles. For the past two decades, Christine has been deeply involved in community initiatives in Japan, including the Association des Familles Franco-Japonaises and OLES Japon. This organization provides support to French citizens facing hardship in Japan. She cares about supporting aging foreigners living in Japan.

Catherine Matsushita is French, married to a Japanese national, and has lived in Japan for 44 years. She taught French in various institutions and managed private groups. In 1992, she joined the volunteer team that helped establish the Lycée International de Kyoto, later serving as treasurer and then as a salaried accountant for ten years. Her duties included accounting, payroll, invoicing, budgeting, and reporting to the French government. Now, at nearly 73, she enjoys a more relaxed lifestyle.