Yuya Takehisa

Education and research professional with a focus on sustainability projects and cross-cultural academic settings. Expertise in research design, data analysis, and effective communication. Committed to leveraging business strategies to tackle environmental and social issues. Dedicated to developing innovative solutions that integrate education, sustainability, and entrepreneurship.

• Self-taught guitarist of 14 years
• Scuba diver with experience in 50+ locations internationally

2nd Place – Japan/Asia Round Qualifier, FedEx/JA International Trade Challenge
Jun 2023

• Proposed “Buddy Bottle,” a $10 biodegradable, retractable bottle made from agricultural waste-based rubber to replace single-use plastics in South Africa.
• Designed a 5-year business model projecting $600K profit, with break-even in Year 4.
• Advanced to represent Japan at the Global Round.

Winner – Japan Tournament, Global Youth Entrepreneurship Challenge (GYEC) Qualifier
Jun 2024

• Created “PikaBlue,” a portable lens identifying plastic composition in fabrics to detect greenwashing.
• Built a 5-year economic plan to break even while tackling false sustainability claims in fashion.
• Represented Japan in the Global Round.

2nd Place Team & 3rd Best Debater Award – Spring Greenery Debate Cup (Japan)
May 2022

• Placed 2nd nationwide among 50+ teams as 1st speaker of school team.
• Recognized individually as 3rd Best Debater in the competition.

Debate Champion – Japan Round, World Scholar’s Cup (TOC Qualifier)
Jul 2022

• Won all rounds in the Japan competition, placing 7th overall.
• Advanced to Global Round in Bangkok, placing 11th internationally among 100+ teams.
• Qualified for the Tournament of Champions (Yale University).

2nd Place Team & Best Speaker Award – Fujisan Debate Open (Japan)
Nov 2022

• Competed against 50+ national teams, winning all 5 rounds.
• Ranked 2nd overall; achieved highest individual speaker points, earning Best Speaker award.

Prudential Emerging Visionaries – Community Award (2x Recipient)
2022 & 2023

• Honored by Prudential Financial for volunteer leadership and community innovation.
• Recognized for translating 10+ MIT & Yale lectures with Asuka Academy, expanding educational access across Japan.

PADI Rescue Diver Certification
2021

• Earned Rescue Diver credential at age 16, developing advanced underwater safety, rescue, and first aid skills.
• Logged 50+ dives and 100+ hours in marine environments across the world.

Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan – Certificate of Completion
2021

• Selected from Japan for Stanford Program on International and Cross-cultural Education.
• Completed a half-year entrepreneurship program applying business solutions to real-world social challenges.