WEBVTT X-TIMESTAMP-MAP=MPEGTS:183265,LOCAL:00:00:00.000 00:00:04.400 --> 00:00:07.366 FRONTRUNNERS 00:00:07.666 --> 00:00:13.600 I want to create an environment where more people with disabilities can work. 00:00:14.466 --> 00:00:19.200 My goal is to bring out their potential, so they can work professionally. 00:00:19.966 --> 00:00:27.933 Rather than simply offering help, I want to solve problems together. 00:00:28.500 --> 00:00:33.766 Social entrepreneur Ishikawa Naohito 00:00:35.200 --> 00:00:38.866 Sri Lanka, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. 00:00:41.300 --> 00:00:45.466 On its west coast lies its largest city and economic hub, Colombo. 00:00:51.666 --> 00:00:54.366 A building in the backstreets of the city center. 00:00:57.533 --> 00:00:59.200 Every morning at 8 a.m., 00:00:59.233 --> 00:01:02.066 people with visual impairments come here to work. 00:01:08.300 --> 00:01:10.233 Good morning. 00:01:11.066 --> 00:01:12.666 It's a massage salon. 00:01:13.066 --> 00:01:15.633 It employs seven experts and several trainees, 00:01:15.700 --> 00:01:18.300 all of whom have visual impairments. 00:01:24.600 --> 00:01:27.666 The salon opens, and customers start checking in. 00:01:28.866 --> 00:01:31.933 They serve mainly middle and upper-class Sri Lankans, 00:01:31.966 --> 00:01:34.233 as well as foreign residents, 00:01:35.500 --> 00:01:38.433 and some tourists who discover the business online. 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:52.133 Massage therapists use their fingers and palms to massage clients' pressure points, 00:01:52.166 --> 00:01:54.866 relieving tightness and other physical issues. 00:01:56.833 --> 00:01:58.933 Techniques are based on shiatsu, 00:01:58.966 --> 00:02:01.966 which originated in Japan around 100 years ago. 00:02:06.033 --> 00:02:07.933 How do I feel? Oh, so good. 00:02:07.966 --> 00:02:13.300 I feel like the pressure... the way they did the whole massage... 00:02:13.366 --> 00:02:17.966 Very good, because they have extrasensory skill, 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:19.533 because they cannot see. 00:02:19.566 --> 00:02:23.466 So they're more used to focusing more on their other senses. 00:02:25.200 --> 00:02:27.400 A common view in Sri Lankan society 00:02:27.433 --> 00:02:30.466 is that people with visual impairments can't work. 00:02:30.500 --> 00:02:35.066 Many live with their families, and have limited opportunities to participate in society. 00:02:41.466 --> 00:02:43.533 But at this salon, they can work, 00:02:43.566 --> 00:02:47.033 even earning around 330 US dollars a month, 00:02:47.100 --> 00:02:49.000 more than the national average. 00:02:54.300 --> 00:02:59.000 It's a good opportunity for us because there are other places 00:02:59.033 --> 00:03:04.733 that can't take you for work because of the disability we have. 00:03:04.800 --> 00:03:10.833 I like this job because the more I work, the more I earn. 00:03:12.333 --> 00:03:14.400 The salon was founded in 2012 00:03:14.433 --> 00:03:18.300 by the head of a Japanese NPO, Ishikawa Naohito. 00:03:24.200 --> 00:03:27.900 The high wages are one facet of the NPO's core principles. 00:03:30.900 --> 00:03:35.066 We refer to our work as "social business." 00:03:35.133 --> 00:03:37.066 It's not welfare. 00:03:37.133 --> 00:03:44.933 We've been told that it's not right to make visually impaired people work. 00:03:44.966 --> 00:03:49.833 But we're not exploiting them. 00:03:49.866 --> 00:03:56.100 Our goal is to bring out their potential, so they can work professionally. 00:03:56.133 --> 00:03:59.633 That's the environment we're aiming for. 00:03:59.700 --> 00:04:04.300 Hopefully we can change society's perspective. 00:04:06.633 --> 00:04:10.666 In Japan, Ishikawa studied at an agricultural university. 00:04:11.200 --> 00:04:13.300 He came to Sri Lanka in 2002 00:04:13.333 --> 00:04:16.333 as a volunteer through a Japanese government program. 00:04:19.266 --> 00:04:23.233 Following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, 00:04:23.266 --> 00:04:25.866 he decided to stay longer than his original term 00:04:25.900 --> 00:04:29.733 to support recovery efforts, founding an NPO. 00:04:32.066 --> 00:04:36.666 But as he was carrying out aid activities, he started to have misgivings. 00:04:40.266 --> 00:04:48.800 After we provided aid, many disaster victims didn't move onto the next step. 00:04:48.833 --> 00:04:53.666 They got used to the help and kept asking for more. 00:04:53.700 --> 00:04:56.600 We got lots of requests. 00:04:56.633 --> 00:05:03.366 And we began to doubt that our work was leading to any real progress. 00:05:03.433 --> 00:05:08.700 How could we move on from this cycle of only providing aid? 00:05:08.733 --> 00:05:14.133 Rather than simply offering help, I wanted to solve problems together. 00:05:14.166 --> 00:05:18.566 So I decided to pursue that kind of project. 00:05:19.933 --> 00:05:24.600 Ishikawa resolved to develop social businesses by working "with" Sri Lankans. 00:05:28.333 --> 00:05:31.233 He made the acquaintance of some people with visual impairments, 00:05:31.266 --> 00:05:32.666 who were struggling. 00:05:32.766 --> 00:05:35.066 He realized that teaching them massage techniques 00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:38.433 would let them provide a high-value service and enrich their lives, 00:05:38.466 --> 00:05:40.900 in a mutually beneficial arrangement. 00:05:45.333 --> 00:05:50.166 He asked Japanese shiatsu practitioner Sasada Saburo to conduct their training. 00:05:52.600 --> 00:05:55.433 Sasada had previously taught in India and Malaysia. 00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:58.966 The Sri Lankan students were greatly encouraged by Sasada, 00:05:59.000 --> 00:06:00.833 who was himself blind. 00:06:06.366 --> 00:06:09.200 One of the first trainees was Rumesh Thanuka, 00:06:09.233 --> 00:06:11.000 who came from the countryside. 00:06:12.033 --> 00:06:16.266 He was born with an extra finger and lost most of his sight at the age of 15, 00:06:16.300 --> 00:06:18.566 due to a disease of the nervous system. 00:06:19.300 --> 00:06:23.366 He was 23 years old and in vocational training when he met Ishikawa. 00:06:23.966 --> 00:06:26.900 Twelve years later, he's the salon's top earner, 00:06:26.933 --> 00:06:29.900 with a monthly wage of up to 500 dollars. 00:06:33.966 --> 00:06:41.533 I knew he could do it. 00:06:41.566 --> 00:06:45.700 That's why I recruited him. 00:06:45.766 --> 00:06:50.966 I thought it would be hard because of my extra finger. 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:54.333 But I tried and realized I could do it. 00:06:54.400 --> 00:07:00.733 Besides my parents, Ishikawa is the most important person in my life. 00:07:02.500 --> 00:07:06.333 In 2016, the salon faced a major crisis. 00:07:06.933 --> 00:07:11.133 A manager convinced the employees that Ishikawa was taking advantage of them. 00:07:11.566 --> 00:07:14.400 The team made the decision to quit en masse. 00:07:21.900 --> 00:07:24.700 Rumesh was the only one who stayed behind. 00:07:26.900 --> 00:07:34.333 I didn't know what I'd do if I left. It was frightening. 00:07:34.400 --> 00:07:41.366 I spoke to my parents, then came back. 00:07:41.433 --> 00:07:45.866 My father accompanied me. 00:07:45.933 --> 00:07:53.833 He said Ishikawa was a good person and told me to keep my job. 00:07:53.900 --> 00:08:00.266 If he hadn't stayed, we'd have had to close the salon. 00:08:00.333 --> 00:08:07.466 That day, I renewed my commitment. 00:08:07.500 --> 00:08:14.333 I vowed to move on and build a successful business. 00:08:16.866 --> 00:08:18.500 8 a.m. 00:08:21.266 --> 00:08:25.900 One massage therapist, Priyantha Kosala, leaves the salon alone. 00:08:29.866 --> 00:08:31.966 To spread awareness of the salon, 00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:36.000 Ishikawa arranges for on-site massages at several businesses. 00:08:38.333 --> 00:08:41.500 This also gives his visually impaired employees the opportunity 00:08:41.533 --> 00:08:43.933 to travel further than they normally would. 00:08:44.400 --> 00:08:47.300 He intentionally asks them to go without an escort. 00:08:56.166 --> 00:08:59.433 Kosala arrives at the office of a major logistics company, 00:08:59.466 --> 00:09:01.266 where an employee guides him. 00:09:05.533 --> 00:09:08.366 After learning about Ishikawa and his team's activities, 00:09:08.433 --> 00:09:11.266 the company director built a massage room in the office 00:09:11.300 --> 00:09:13.133 as a perk for his employees. 00:09:17.366 --> 00:09:20.200 They can make reservations within office hours. 00:09:25.566 --> 00:09:27.666 Sessions are just 15 minutes each, 00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:29.966 since they take place during workdays. 00:09:30.833 --> 00:09:34.766 The massage focuses on areas of particular tension or fatigue. 00:09:39.733 --> 00:09:43.566 Just like Rumesh, Kosala is a veteran massage therapist. 00:09:43.833 --> 00:09:46.233 He joined the salon at the very beginning. 00:09:48.833 --> 00:09:57.133 These sessions let me travel for work and meet lots of clients. 00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:00.666 This is the company's director. 00:10:04.566 --> 00:10:07.866 My employees are all grateful. 00:10:07.933 --> 00:10:14.066 In Sri Lanka, there's not much work available 00:10:14.100 --> 00:10:18.000 for visually impaired people. 00:10:18.066 --> 00:10:25.300 It's thanks to jobs like this that everyone in the country... 00:10:25.333 --> 00:10:31.933 ...has the opportunity to work. 00:10:35.666 --> 00:10:38.533 Kosala has struggled with work in the past. 00:10:40.266 --> 00:10:43.333 Back in 2016, he was one of the employees 00:10:43.366 --> 00:10:47.366 that suspected Ishikawa of exploitation and decided to quit. 00:10:49.733 --> 00:10:58.466 I found work at another salon, but I wasn't paid very much. 00:10:58.500 --> 00:11:06.133 I felt like I'd abandoned Ishikawa, so I came back after a while. 00:11:06.200 --> 00:11:16.000 He took me back despite what I'd done. I realized how kind he was. 00:11:19.733 --> 00:11:23.433 It's early October, and today is a Sri Lankan public holiday. 00:11:26.066 --> 00:11:29.633 Ishikawa is accompanying Rumesh on a visit to his home village. 00:11:33.333 --> 00:11:35.566 It's a 90-minute drive from Colombo. 00:11:36.200 --> 00:11:40.466 Ishikawa is visiting Rumesh's parents for the first time in around two years. 00:11:47.333 --> 00:11:50.133 They believed in him enough to let their son work with him, 00:11:50.166 --> 00:11:51.833 far away in Colombo. 00:11:55.866 --> 00:11:57.633 He receives a warm welcome. 00:12:00.300 --> 00:12:02.366 Rumesh supports his family's finances 00:12:02.400 --> 00:12:04.900 by sending them most of the money he earns. 00:12:07.833 --> 00:12:15.500 Thanks to Ishikawa, our son is doing well enough to take care of us. 00:12:15.533 --> 00:12:18.666 We're very grateful. 00:12:20.666 --> 00:12:22.866 There's another reason for the trip. 00:12:23.433 --> 00:12:27.100 Rumesh is joined by his sister, who cared for him since childhood. 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:31.533 Together, they visit a construction site 00:12:31.566 --> 00:12:34.933 where Rumesh is building a house with his sister and her husband. 00:12:37.733 --> 00:12:40.133 Ishikawa wants to see how it's progressing. 00:12:46.566 --> 00:12:49.533 Rumesh's plan is to open a massage salon in the house, 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:52.400 so he can live and work alongside his parents. 00:12:57.700 --> 00:13:04.833 By building this house, I hope to live with them and take care of them. 00:13:04.866 --> 00:13:10.266 And I want to take my work to the next level. 00:13:10.333 --> 00:13:18.966 Society seems to think that blind people are helpless. 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:22.900 But my colleagues and I are showing what's possible. 00:13:22.966 --> 00:13:29.666 I'm happy we're demonstrating that. 00:13:33.733 --> 00:13:36.633 What does Ishikawa think of Rumesh's project? 00:13:38.566 --> 00:13:46.000 For so long, he's been receiving help. From his family, neighbors, and so on. 00:13:46.066 --> 00:13:53.066 But now he's the one helping others. 00:13:53.100 --> 00:13:58.633 I'm very happy to see that in action. 00:14:00.533 --> 00:14:03.466 Maharagama is an outer suburb of Colombo. 00:14:07.466 --> 00:14:10.233 Ishikawa lives in a second-floor apartment here. 00:14:12.733 --> 00:14:16.000 He's married to a Sri Lankan woman and has a three-year-old son. 00:14:16.833 --> 00:14:19.766 His wife practices traditional ayurvedic medicine. 00:14:21.666 --> 00:14:27.666 I've lived in Sri Lanka for a while, 00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:33.166 but there's plenty I don't understand. 00:14:33.233 --> 00:14:42.766 My wife gives me lots of helpful advice. 00:14:42.833 --> 00:14:47.200 He works a lot and doesn't eat properly. 00:14:47.233 --> 00:14:50.666 I wish he'd take better care of himself. 00:14:50.733 --> 00:14:56.800 Sometimes I get annoyed at how busy he is. 00:14:56.866 --> 00:15:04.800 But he takes time off to comfort me. 00:15:04.866 --> 00:15:11.400 She often says we would've broken up 00:15:11.433 --> 00:15:15.300 if she were an ordinary Sri Lankan. 00:15:15.333 --> 00:15:20.966 I guess she's not ordinary! 00:15:23.666 --> 00:15:27.033 Ishikawa has been in Sri Lanka for 23 years. 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:33.833 Why did he choose it as his home? 00:15:37.800 --> 00:15:42.933 I happened to end up here and meet lots of different people. 00:15:42.966 --> 00:15:46.333 There are things I want to achieve here. 00:15:46.366 --> 00:15:49.000 So I'll probably stay for a long time. 00:15:49.033 --> 00:15:57.466 It's often said to be a fun country to visit. 00:15:57.500 --> 00:16:04.266 People are friendly and thoughtful. 00:16:04.300 --> 00:16:07.233 But working here is different. 00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:12.833 Money changes people. 00:16:12.900 --> 00:16:20.133 I've had tricky moments. But I try not to dwell on them. 00:16:22.366 --> 00:16:26.033 Despite past issues, Ishikawa wants to move forward, 00:16:26.066 --> 00:16:28.833 hand in hand with the people of Sri Lanka. 00:16:32.766 --> 00:16:36.200 The massage salon isn't his only social business project. 00:16:39.733 --> 00:16:42.000 This is a grocery store in central Colombo, 00:16:42.033 --> 00:16:45.666 specializing in organic vegetables and products made from them. 00:16:51.333 --> 00:16:54.000 Ishikawa started the business in 2014. 00:16:54.866 --> 00:16:56.400 What was his goal? 00:16:57.166 --> 00:17:00.900 In a word: health. 00:17:00.966 --> 00:17:06.933 We encourage organic farming by buying at a high price. 00:17:06.966 --> 00:17:09.766 We then sell the produce in cities. 00:17:09.800 --> 00:17:13.266 Farmers are healthier and make more money. 00:17:13.333 --> 00:17:21.033 And customers in Colombo can improve their health. 00:17:21.066 --> 00:17:23.333 That's the goal. 00:17:25.900 --> 00:17:28.533 The business has 14 employees. 00:17:30.766 --> 00:17:33.366 They also sell organic vegetables wholesale, 00:17:33.433 --> 00:17:35.900 to supermarkets and other stores. 00:17:38.133 --> 00:17:42.866 This income is what supported the massage salon during the COVID-19 pandemic, 00:17:43.433 --> 00:17:46.000 when it was struggling to keep its doors open. 00:17:49.833 --> 00:17:52.600 The store is supplied in part by eight farms, 00:17:52.633 --> 00:17:54.566 which Ishikawa visits each month. 00:17:55.633 --> 00:17:58.866 Some took up organic farming following his encouragement. 00:17:58.933 --> 00:18:00.966 Others were pursuing it already, 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:03.633 but were having a hard time finding buyers. 00:18:08.266 --> 00:18:11.833 I studied agriculture at university. It interests me. 00:18:11.866 --> 00:18:15.766 There was a time when I dreamed of becoming a farmer. 00:18:15.833 --> 00:18:21.533 So I find this work really rewarding. 00:18:29.166 --> 00:18:32.900 It's a time of dramatic change for Sri Lankan society. 00:18:35.966 --> 00:18:38.333 Elections in fall 2024 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:42.166 saw the country replace its two longstanding major parties 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:46.733 with a government working towards economic and social development. 00:18:49.166 --> 00:18:51.900 I'm proud of the new government. 00:18:51.933 --> 00:18:58.233 And I believe that our new president will make things better. 00:18:58.300 --> 00:19:04.433 The corruption was out of control. 00:19:04.466 --> 00:19:10.833 But now it feels like it's gone. 00:19:13.200 --> 00:19:16.466 It's a positive development for Ishikawa's businesses. 00:19:19.400 --> 00:19:23.200 Today, he's visiting the government's Department of Social Services. 00:19:29.166 --> 00:19:32.333 He's meeting with the director, Darshani Karunarathna, 00:19:32.366 --> 00:19:36.600 who supports his efforts to create job opportunities for people with disabilities. 00:19:40.666 --> 00:19:45.333 Ishikawa is here to discuss a national certification for massage therapists. 00:19:45.366 --> 00:19:47.700 He's been lobbying the government for years, 00:19:47.733 --> 00:19:51.300 and after the recent election, talks have begun to progress. 00:19:55.500 --> 00:20:01.966 I'd like to discuss people with visual impairments. 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:07.533 Massage therapists should have access to a globally recognized qualification. 00:20:07.600 --> 00:20:14.633 That will allow them to work anywhere. 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:19.866 Including booming industries like tourism and hotels. 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:23.600 Yes, because massages are in demand. 00:20:23.666 --> 00:20:33.566 Understood. I'm talking to the Labor Bureau about qualifications. 00:20:33.633 --> 00:20:42.366 I hope to receive permission by the end of the year. 00:20:42.433 --> 00:20:50.500 The new government is striving to support people with disabilities. 00:20:50.533 --> 00:20:55.066 It's part of a national movement toward equality. 00:20:55.100 --> 00:20:59.833 And it's making my work a lot easier. 00:21:03.100 --> 00:21:06.966 With the wind in his sails, Ishikawa is starting a new venture, 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:09.833 in addition to his massage and grocery businesses. 00:21:13.433 --> 00:21:16.866 He's driving to Kandy, Sri Lanka's historical capital. 00:21:17.133 --> 00:21:20.033 It's around 100 kilometers east of Colombo. 00:21:25.333 --> 00:21:28.800 Kandy is home to the Wattegama Vocational Training Center. 00:21:29.666 --> 00:21:32.666 It's one of 11 facilities for people with disabilities, 00:21:32.733 --> 00:21:34.900 situated all across Sri Lanka. 00:21:35.866 --> 00:21:38.600 Young people come here to learn skills like sewing, 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:40.966 woodworking, 00:21:42.566 --> 00:21:43.933 and computing. 00:21:47.033 --> 00:21:48.733 Ishikawa is visiting a class 00:21:48.766 --> 00:21:51.866 where young people with hearing and developmental disabilities 00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:54.900 learn beauty skills such as hairdressing and makeup. 00:21:57.066 --> 00:22:00.166 How are the students doing? 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:06.000 They're at the end of the course, about to take their exams. 00:22:09.066 --> 00:22:12.533 Ishikawa is teaming up with the training center on a new project. 00:22:15.600 --> 00:22:18.866 He'll be employing graduates of the course at a new nail salon. 00:22:20.566 --> 00:22:24.200 After working with visually impaired people, 00:22:24.233 --> 00:22:28.233 I've been considering other disabilities. 00:22:28.266 --> 00:22:36.333 And recently, a lot of nail salons have been opening in Sri Lanka. 00:22:36.400 --> 00:22:41.500 I think deaf and hard-of-hearing people can be good at intricate tasks. 00:22:41.566 --> 00:22:46.166 So I'm providing nail artist training. 00:22:48.666 --> 00:22:51.633 The plan took the center's leader by surprise. 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:54.566 He had faced a longstanding problem. 00:22:55.333 --> 00:23:00.200 Graduates of these facilities struggle to find work using their new skills. 00:23:01.400 --> 00:23:08.800 When Ishikawa first approached me, I was skeptical of his idea. 00:23:08.866 --> 00:23:14.300 But I thought we should try something new. 00:23:16.333 --> 00:23:17.900 Back in Colombo... 00:23:20.866 --> 00:23:24.600 Ishikawa visits a space he's renting for the nail salon business. 00:23:31.333 --> 00:23:34.800 Six graduates of the Wattegama Vocational Training Center, 00:23:34.833 --> 00:23:37.300 with hearing or developmental disabilities, 00:23:37.333 --> 00:23:40.600 have already been studying nail art here for around a year. 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:50.666 Ishikawa used crowdfunding to secure funds for a new nail salon 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:52.900 on the floor above his massage business. 00:23:53.233 --> 00:23:55.666 It's set to open in one week's time. 00:24:01.666 --> 00:24:04.000 He recruited a professional from Japan, 00:24:04.033 --> 00:24:07.300 which is known around the world for its high-level nail art. 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:10.266 She's been teaching graduates new techniques. 00:24:13.933 --> 00:24:18.533 The final step of their training is to work on the nails of trial customers. 00:24:23.166 --> 00:24:31.300 I hope to work as a nail artist for a very long time. 00:24:31.366 --> 00:24:36.800 I want to study hard. 00:24:36.833 --> 00:24:43.100 I want to keep improving. 00:24:43.133 --> 00:24:53.566 I hope to be able to provide a good service to our customers. 00:24:53.633 --> 00:25:01.133 I know that they want to work for themselves, as professionals. 00:25:01.166 --> 00:25:04.800 So we're working with them to achieve that. 00:25:06.900 --> 00:25:08.433 Mid-October. 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:13.400 Right above the massage salon, 00:25:13.433 --> 00:25:15.933 it's finally opening day for the nail art salon 00:25:15.966 --> 00:25:19.700 staffed by employees with hearing and developmental disabilities. 00:25:21.833 --> 00:25:25.633 For Ishikawa, it's the start of a new social business. 00:25:28.000 --> 00:25:31.366 The salon's first guests include the staff's relatives, 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:33.500 the Director of Social Services, 00:25:33.533 --> 00:25:36.033 and the head of the vocational training center. 00:25:42.266 --> 00:25:44.500 Ishikawa gives an opening speech. 00:25:45.566 --> 00:25:51.900 I'm delighted we've reached this very special day. 00:25:51.966 --> 00:25:59.333 I don't pity people with disabilities. 00:25:59.400 --> 00:26:05.133 They have the skills to lead rich lives. 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:11.000 And contribute to society. 00:26:11.066 --> 00:26:18.266 We just need to create an environment 00:26:18.300 --> 00:26:21.300 where that is possible. 00:26:23.366 --> 00:26:26.400 The Director of Social Services cuts the ribbon. 00:26:35.000 --> 00:26:39.933 This will be a place where people with hearing and developmental disabilities can thrive. 00:26:43.266 --> 00:26:46.466 Their first customer will be the director herself. 00:26:52.833 --> 00:26:56.766 After the ceremony, the massage therapists also get to work. 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:02.533 Staff members are each carving their own path. 00:27:06.933 --> 00:27:08.633 Through social businesses, 00:27:08.666 --> 00:27:13.966 Ishikawa wants to accompany the people of Sri Lanka on their journey, hand in hand. 00:27:16.033 --> 00:27:19.233 What motivates him as a "frontrunner" in his field? 00:27:20.800 --> 00:27:29.666 Human connection. It leads to further connections and joy. 00:27:29.700 --> 00:27:37.200 I've slowly made that realization. And it's become a driving force. 00:27:37.266 --> 00:27:45.800 I'm committed to addressing social problems through business. 00:27:45.866 --> 00:27:53.300 When it comes to social businesses in Sri Lanka, I want to be a pioneer.