About Us
Hiroko Yoda, President
A native of Tokyo, Japan, Hiroko holds a Masters degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University in Washington, D.C.
Her diverse qualifications include being certified as language examiner for applicants and employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; attaining a level 2 certification in the Jinja Kentei Shinto Culture Examinations; and being officially certified as a kimono fitter and consultant.
The former editor of the Japanese edition of CNNGo, she is the co-author of numerous books about Japanese folklore. Her writing on Japanese cultural topics has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and more.
Her book Eight Million Ways to Happiness: Wisdom for Inspiration and Healing from the Heart of Japan, was published by Tiny Reparations in 2025. It explores Japan's uniquely flexible approach to spirituality.
Hiroko also writes the newsletter Japan Happiness.
Matt Alt, Vice President
A native of Washington, D.C., Matthew has been working as a professional translator and freelance writer since the early 1990s.
His translation experience includes four years as an in-house technical Japanese translator for the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
He is the co-author of numerous books about Japan, and a contributor to Aeon Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, The New Yorker, The New York Times, The New York Times Style Magazine, and many other publications. His book Pure Invention: How Japan Made the Modern World was published by Crown in 2020.
Matt also writes the Pure Invention newsletter.