Toshu Fukami Personal Profile

Toshu Fukami was born in 1951 in Japan's Hyogo Prefecture. He attended the prestigious Doshisha University where he received a degree in economics. Fukami then went on to study with the Master Class at Musashino Academia Musicae where he graduated with a major in vocal music. Fukami attended Edith Cowan University in Western Australia where he graduated from the School of Art and received a Masters degree in Creative Arts (MA) . He is a guest lecturer at the University of Wolverhampton School of Economics in the United Kingdom. Fukami is also an advising professor at the Tsinghua University History Department in China, a guest lecturer at Zhejiang University Graduate School Japan Culture Research Center in China, a guest lecturer at the Chinese School of Theatrical Music, a guest lecturer at the Nankai University School of International Commerce, and holds positions at several other universities. He is a special instructor of the Hosho school of Noh and the President of the Hosho Toshu Noh Troupe. Fukami is also a master of the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and calligraphy. His name became "Toshu" after entering the priesthood on Mt. Hiei, home to one of Japan's most holy Buddhist temples. His name during his period as a disciple in training at Tofuku-ji temple was "Daigaku".

As the chairman of the International Foundation for Arts and Culture, and as a multi-profession artist, Fukami has held various artistic activities, including calligraphy exhibitions and operas, music concerts and Noh performances, throughout the world and also is active in charities and his pursuit of introducing Japanese cultural arts to the world. In China, as a professional artist, Fukami is officially recognized as a Grade One National Art Instructor (September 2002), Grade One Opera Singer (October 2002), and as a Grade two Peking Opera Actor (December 2002).
Fukami built a 24-hour emergency Hospital in Cambodia and runs this hospital in collaboration with a local Christian Group. Recognized for his generous contributions to the Cambodian nation, Fukami received one of the highest decoration from the Kingdom of Cambodia in January 2003. Also, Fukami established Cambodia's first "Japanese Culture and Business Research Center" in the country's only national research facility, the Cambodia Institute for Cooperation and Peace (CICP). Fukami serves as the World Vice President and as a teaching professor. Starting this year, Fukami also has assumed the position as Chancellor of Cambodia's first private university, Cambodia University.

Due to his many contributions to international welfare for the blind, Fukami is now the first Japanese person to serve as Vice President of United Kingdom's Royal National Institute for the Blind. He has also received an audience with Queen Elizabeth for the same reason. Fukami continues to serve in various positions such as President of the World Blind Gold Association, Honorary Chairman of the Japan Blind Golf Association, Vice-Chairman of the Sihanouk Hospital Association, Vice-Chairman of the International Shinto Foundation (UN Accredited NGO/NPO), and many others.

Fukami also operates several companies oversease and, as CEO and business consultant at B.C. Consulting, holds symposiums and seminars, and also evaluates corporate operations. He partakes in a variety of artistic and cultural activities including poetry, musical composition, instrumental performances, conducting, vocal performances, Japanese Waka and Haiku poetry, painting, classical ballet, Peking Opera, acting, etc. He has sold a great number of books and paintings, music videos and CD collections. Fukami has also written a number of essays on life, culture, economics and religion. Along with "Secrets for running a Small Business", "Understanding Japan", and "Lucky Fortune", which has sold over 720,000 copies, Fukami has written over 105 books and his works have been translated into six different languages. He is also a known radio personality and has significant experiences as a radio regular. Fukami currently hosts a weekly radio program "Sawayaka This Way" (National FM).