Date: Wednesday, October 8
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 (JST)
Format: Online via Zoom
Guest Speaker: Mitsuhiro Iwamoto, a Visually-Impaired Ocean Adventurer
Title: Seeing the Unseen: From Despair to the Horizon of Hope
RSVP: by 7 October
Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83544068163?pwd=kf3UiQbjf4ZcgKN2GJZxXmGuGUs93p.1
**Members are welcome to register their guests, and non-members can sign up for the online presentation by indicating who introduced them to CWAJ.
The meeting will start with housekeeping matters including:
- the annual voting of elected officers
- voting on two constitutional amendments,
with immediate feedback of voting results.
Summary:
In this 40-minute talk, Mitsuhiro (or Hiro) Iwamoto shares his extraordinary journey from losing his sight at the age of sixteen to becoming the world’s first totally sight-impaired sailor to complete a non-stop Pacific Ocean crossing. With honesty and warmth, Hiro recounts the moment he almost gave up on life, the lessons learned from his failed 2013 crossing, and the triumph of his 2019 voyage from San Diego to Fukushima with his sailing partner, Doug.
Drawing on his experiences at sea, navigating storms, mechanical failures, and the isolation of the open ocean, Hiro reveals universal lessons on resilience, trust, and the power of gratitude. He also introduces his next challenge: a 2027 solo Pacific crossing that will push the limits of what is thought impossible.
More than an adventure story, Hiro’s message is a call to face uncertainty with courage, to find light in darkness, and to believe in one’s unseen potential. His talk is a testament to how gratitude and determination can turn despair into a guiding star.
Profile:
Mitsuhiro Iwamoto, a Visually-Impaired Ocean Adventurer, Motivational Speaker, Founder of the Global Arigato Project https://globalarigatoproject.org/
Hiro Iwamoto is an inspirational keynote speaker and visually-impaired ocean adventurer whose life story embodies resilience, leadership, and gratitude. At sixteen, Hiro lost his sight completely, plunging him into a period of deep despair. Yet, through personal determination and the support of others, he rebuilt his life, becoming a competitive sailor, motivational speaker, and an advocate for mental well-being.
In 2019, Hiro made history as the first totally sight-impaired sailor to complete a non-stop Pacific Ocean crossing, sailing 8,700 km from San Diego, USA, to Fukushima, Japan, in 55 days alongside his sailing partner[KI4] , Doug. His achievement earned him prestigious honors including the Japanese Prime Minister’s Award and the Naomi Uemura Adventure Award.
As the founder of the non-profit Global Arigato Project, Hiro promotes the transformative power of gratitude as a tool for overcoming adversity and fostering peace. His upcoming challenge, a 2027 solo Pacific crossing, aims to inspire millions by proving that limitations can be redefined.
Hiro has been featured by international media including the BBC, Japan Times, and San Diego Union-Tribune, and speaks to audiences around the world on topics of resilience, hope, and courageous leadership.
Dates for 2025 General Meetings:
November 12 – Zoom Meeting – Associate Professor Toby Slade on Japanese fashion
December 3 – Hybrid/Year End festive holiday luncheon at KKR Hotel by Lensei Nishizawa
General Meeting Team:
Director: Shigeko Nagaoka
Program Coordinator: Ko Iwata
Meeting Managers: Joan Rodgers Doi and Rina Jiang
Technology Support: Rina Jiang and Rumi Nagashima
