Every student’s path to Harvard Kennedy School is unique. What our alumni go on to do after graduating is equally varied.
We asked several HKS alums to tell us about their experiences before, during, and after HKS, and to reflect how their time at HKS has shaped their careers and lives.
Ever since her time as an undergraduate student, Rika Kamijima-Tsunoda MPA 2021 knew she wanted to study outside of Asia. During her time at HKS, she embraced HKS’s diverse class offerings and dove into every opportunity with an open mind. Now, she’s applying the skills she learned at HKS as a policymaker in Japan.
Here’s what she shared.
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“As a policymaker in Japan, I am constantly reminded of the negotiation, leadership, and persuasion skills I learned at HKS.”
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2024Begins role as deputy director of the Global Information and Communications Technology Policy Division at Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications
In this role, Rika supports expanding Japanese digital technologies across the Asia–Pacific region and has accelerated international collaborations in developing secure digital technologies.
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2021Graduates from HKS and begins working for the Government of Japan's Digital Agency
Rika celebrates Commencement with her MPA classmates. Rika’s first goal after graduation was to promote Japan’s digitalization through policymaking and regulatory reforms.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic—when many people experienced difficulties completing administrative procedures online—the Japanese government established the Digital Agency in 2021 to promote Japan’s digitalization. For two years, Rika focused on developing digital identity management policies for online administrative transactions. She also reviewed regulations that required paperwork in a special legislative team under the prime minister of Japan.
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Serves as chair of the Japan Caucus for the 2020-2021 academic year
As chair of the Japan Caucus during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rika organized multiple online seminars so that students could learn about policy issues concerning Japan and make meaningful connections with professors whose research focused on Japan.
She also assisted classmates Nhat Nguyen MPA 2021 and Lily Cheng Zedler MC/MPA 2020 in organizing a vigil in response to a rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans.
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Completes summer internship with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Rika completed a summer internship as a visiting research fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where she could apply her knowledge of international relations and explore areas of future cooperation between the United States and Japan. In this role, she researched policies on 5G mobile networks in Japan, the U.S., South Korea, China, and Germany, and she co-wrote commentary on 5G rollout cooperation between the U.S. and Japan.
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2019Begins the MPA Program
Because of her interest in international rulemaking in digital policy, Rika took courses related to international affairs, negotiation, and cybersecurity. She particularly enjoyed IGA-211: Central Challenges of American National Security, Strategy, and the Press, taught by Professors Graham Alison, David Sanger, and Derek Reveron. She appreciated the experience of writing policy memos and talking points on national security threats regarding other countries, including China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran.
“Since my research focused on Japan’s role amid the great power competition between the United States and China, this course was an exact fit for me. It broadened my understanding of international security.”
Rika Kamijima-Tsunoda MPA 2021 (second from right) smiles with a group of classmates. -
Rika researched graduate schools in the U.S. with a focus on international relations and security policy. She decided on HKS over other prestigious schools for three main reasons: its mission, diversity, and focus on leadership.
“I appreciated the diversity of the school. Roughly half of the incoming students were international, coming from 90 different countries, which allowed me to interact with fascinating people from around the world. I knew I would learn a lot from my classmates’ way of living, their passions, and their determination.”
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2014Graduates from the University of Tokyo with a master's degree in public policy
Following graduation, Rika worked at the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and was promoted internally over the next five years. She worked in various units, including the International Economic Affairs Division, Data Communications Division, and Terrestrial Broadcasting Division.
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Graduates from the University of Tokyo with a bachelor's degree in English literature
“My experience at HKS has been an asset in advancing public policy both in Japan and internationally. What I learned at HKS will continue to be the foundation of my career.”
