Project details in English and guide on how to pledge

The native-level trilingual pronunciation trainer, Ms.Lei travels Japan!

 

　About me　

Hello, my name is Masanori Ishio, the founder and the producer of this project.

 

 

I grew up in a rural area of Japan so when I had the opportunities to visit the big cities, I got to experience more and learned so much more there than where I came from.

I’ve also come to appreciate the charms of the countryside of Japan.

 

Such experiences led me to think, “What can I do as a small business owner to support and revitalize my hometown so that more people would visit?” I’ve approached friends and colleagues, as well as local governors, local businesses to pitch ideas and to consult on projects, which helped attract more tourists from surrounding provinces.

 

In the process, I also approached the local tourism association to propose a new plan, which ties up the local culture and the Japanese anime culture in Nagoya, as well as a business plan that connects Nagoya and my hometown.

However, our world has been hit by the COVID pandemic. Travel restrictions were imposed within Japan and all over the world. I had no choice but to postpone it until who knows when.

 

　Reason for the project　

Many people have been pushed to adopt remote working since the pandemic had started. I see posters and infomercials promoting how to spend quality time in our cars.

My company is in the field of IT and telecommunication related contracting businesses.

 

I started to ponder, have we really come to an era, when I, myself can do such things all over Japan? Can I offer my service to those major telecommunication companies while going on a trip myself? — my service being verifying the communication and network environment by actually going to places and testing out the network there. By going to places, of course I mean traveling and getting my job done on the road.

 

Can I do it in the mountains?

What about the beaches? 

Is Japan equipped to provide such network service so that people can enjoy such lifestyle?

 

I also thought about verifying various other things during the trip and

distributing useful information to people through social media in the future.

However, I have noticed that more and more people are already doing that. More and more people are posting about their road trips in their camper vans. It’s already becoming a hot trend!

 

Meanwhile, I had the chance to talk with Ms. Lei. I met her when she interpreted for me on a business deal a few years back. I told her about what I wanted to do and asked her if she would collaborate with me. She said that I should feel free to consult with her.

 

At that moment, it all became clear to me and all the dots were connected. My ideas on regional revitalization, tourism in Japan, world market, Japanese culture, interests, needs of foreign tourists, etc. I asked Ms. Lei if she would want to join me on a road trip, document everything and post them on social media and YouTube. She, herself, also dreamed about traveling to many different places and seeing the world, so it was an easy decision for her to make.

 

I think she has a unique outlook on life and interesting perspectives. She knows many people around the world since she has lived in different countries. I am sure that she would be able to deliver information that can meet people’s needs and interests all over the world.

 

Although traveling is still somewhat restricted all over the world by COVID, I think there are many people who are still interested in Japan, want to come to Japan and want to visit Japan again.

 

 

◎You would feel like going on the same trip by just watching her videos as long as you have internet access.

◎We can tell you about Japan from the perspective of a foreigner. 

◎We can share undiscovered tourist spots, local yummy foods from a new 　perspective to domestic travelers

Things only WE can share.

 

 

　Project content　

Ms. Lei, a native level pronunciation trainer who has taught many students such as diplomats and expats of Major companies, will travel Japan with the following contents.

 

 

①Regional revitalization and drawing potential foreign travelers once COVID 　ends 

②Introducing undiscovered beautiful places and foods

③Introducing unique and popular services from the perspective of a foreigner 

④Delivering information such as Anime culture and Japanese morals

⑤Support for those who are affected by COVID using part of the channel 　proceed

⑥Exclusive information about Japan you may not find elsewhere 

(All will be shared on social media in Japanese, English and Mandarin Chinese)

 

 

 

☆Ms. Lei has already made a list of things that her friends in different 　countries want to know about Japan.

 

☆Even though she makes good money as a language teacher, we are not 　spending her money on this trip. We want to start this project from ground 　zero, and want to keep the cost as low as possible as part of the project and 　the challenge in itself. At the same time, we want you to enjoy watching us 　grow from nothing to something one day.This is also why we are raising 　money on crowdfunding.

 

[Will report every step of the way on YouTube as well as how we spend the money]

 

 

 

Step 1.

① Buy a small van at a reasonable price (already have a few in mind. Can be purchased within 2 weeks).

② Will need a portable battery that can be used in a car to power all of our devices for remote working.

③ Things needed to renovate the van into a camper van, such as table, bedding, water tank, etc.

 

All of the above will be documented and shared on social media and YouTube as well.

 

 

 

Step 2.

Departure! Approximately 3 weeks after the purchase of the car. 

④ Gas：50,000 Yen/month(600,000 Yen/year)

⑤ Toll fee, parking lot fee (350,000 Yen/year)

⑥ Mobile internet plans for HotSpots - 8,000 Yen/month (96,000 Yen/year)

 

This is my estimated initial cost and the cost  for it to last one year.

 

 

 

This trip is all about “challenge” and “connecting to the world”. 

We will take on various challenges during this trip, and starting out the trip by raising funds on crowdfunding is also part of the challenge.

 

Everything will be announced on YouTube. If it succeeds, I hope it will be helpful for those who will utilize crowdfunding in the future.

 

I will support Ms. Lei throughout the way along with my staff, from planning, filming, editing and social media management.

 

 Project outlook / vision 

 

 

 

Our goal is to acquire a large number of followers including non-Japanese audiences.

10,000 followers within the first year is our first goal!

YouTube channel: Ms. Lei’s Travel

 

 

 

Ms. Lei, who wants to do something so that she can give back to the community.

She will continue using her social media platforms and I want to help her with that as well. Hopefully we get to entertain you.

 

Once we can generate profit through our YouTube channel, we will gradually upgrade our van. Right now we are starting from scratch with the minimum of basic necessities. We would also like you to enjoy watching the growth of our channel, our trip and everything else.

 

How many Chinese and English speaking people are there in the world? With the support of many people, including people in Japan, I’m optimistic that we can reach millions. After we finish touring Japan, we are looking to venture out to Asia and the US some day.

 

Once we generate enough proceeds through the channel, we are planning to support those who helped us, and donate to those who are in need.

We would like to earn, so that we can give back. This is Ms. Lei's purpose in her life. So please help us help others.

 

Lastly…from Ms. Lei.

 

 

Hello! Thank you for reading this far. 

I would like to thank Fortunation Co., Ltd. and all the people who value my language skills enough to give me this opportunity. It is going to be a long road ahead to travel throughout Japan, maybe 4 to 6 years, but I am sure it will be worth every minute, every step of the way and every encounter on the way. I am confident that I will succeed with all the hopes and dreams that cannot be written down here. Will keep you updated on social media, so please enjoy.

 

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How to pledge support for the project: 

 

Step 1: Click on the “return” of your choosing on the right side of the page. 

Step 2: You need to have an account to pledge so you will be asked to “Log in” or “Register using your email or Facebook account”

 

Step 3: Once you are logged in, it will take you to the confirmation page to confirm your pledge. You can customize your pledge here. For example, if you want to pledge on behalf of  three people for the same return, click the pull down for “number of pledge”. Your total will be 300,000 JPY. Then click the black button at the bottom page to go to the next page.

 

Depends on your pledge, you may be asked to enter your mailing address in order to receive your “Return”

 

Step４: Enter your credit card information

 

You may or may not be asked to enter your address depends on the type of your pledge. 

 

Step 5: Confirm and complete your pledge

We are one step closer to our goal. 

Big thanks from Ms. Lei and Masa. -- See you on YouTube!