How old is your child now?

He is now 1 year old (*Editor's note: as of December 2024). It's like walking around, falling down and laughing. I'm a girl, but I'm extremely naughty.

You said you will retire in 2023. Will you get married after you retire? Or did you get married with your retirement in mind?

This is after I retire. I was just thinking of making the 2021 World Cup a break in my career as a player. After I turned 30, my desire to have a child became stronger, but my hormonal balance had been disrupted due to the effects of several concussions, so I told my husband, who was still my partner at the time, that it would be better to try to conceive as soon as possible. So we decided, ``Once I retire after the World Cup, I'll get married and try to conceive.''

I didn't know that concussions affect hormonal balance.

Hormonal balance is disrupted due to brain damage. Cognitive function may also decline. I often had to take medicine due to after-effects such as headaches, so I thought it was important to retire and regain my health first. Fortunately, things are much better now, and we were able to have a child soon.

What kind of work do you currently do?

I do a variety of things, including activities to promote women's rugby, community management, club advisor for sports teams, sales related to sponsors, and commentary. I go to work 2-3 days a week and work from home the rest of the time. My children are young, so rather than working full-time, I prioritize spending time with my family and choosing jobs that I can do.

You are involved in a variety of activities, but are you a sole proprietor?

I agree. As a sole proprietor, I work under contract with companies and club teams.

What kind of job does a "club advisor" do?

This is a position that considers the overall design of club management, including the direction of the team, coach selection, and player education. For example, the role is to connect the opinions of the field and the management side, such as how to recruit overseas players and what kind of career support should be provided to the players.

There is such a position.

Fortunately, we were able to create such a position.
Because I'm from Yokohama, I was approached by the club team I currently play for after retiring (editor's note: women's rugby team "YOKOHAMA TKM") to be their coach, but when I considered my life stage and other factors, there was no position that fit within the existing framework.
Therefore, I consulted with the club, including my management office, and they decided to create a new position based on examples from other clubs. The club has been very understanding of me as I work, including my work style.

I think it will be a blessing for the team to have former national team players involved. It's great that retired players will also have a chance to play an active role in the future.

Yes, that's right. I think I need to become that kind of model. I have become what I am today by thinking about what I can do as an athlete, what I can give back to society, and what my value is, so I hope I can be a role model and show people that there are ways to work.

Regarding housework and childcare, which are inseparable from work style, how do you divide the work with your husband?

My husband can do absolutely anything. She's better at housework and childcare than I am (lol). My husband works as a trainer for a sports team, and even though we have meetings at 7 a.m., the laundry is hung out to dry by 5 a.m. I think they are getting a lot of cooperation. Thank you very much.

That's amazing. Since your husband also works in sports, I think it's safe to say that your children are thoroughbreds, but do you have a glimpse of them?

Ah, but I am told that I am quite athletic. I'm already naughty. It was also fast. When I take it to work, everyone who sees it goes, "Wow!" (lol)

I understand that you work both on-site and at a desk, but how do you build your physical strength?

Recently, I've been getting busy with more work, so I haven't had a chance to go to the gym. I think I need to get into a routine a bit more. I'd like to get into coaching someday, so I'd like to get my body to the point where I can do demonstrations.

Next, we have a customary project where you show us a memento of your time with your child, but is that a pair of underwear?

I'm wearing clothes from the hospital. I chose something with a natural feel rather than frilly. Even when I took pictures for the 1st month anniversary and the 2nd month anniversary, I wore it until the last minute (lol)

Please let us know if there are any things you keep in mind while working and raising children.

It means "not doing everything 100% perfectly." During my playing days, I tried to give 120% and paid a lot of compensation, including hurting my knees and head. I'm a huge perfectionist, so I think I have to go to great lengths, but when you're raising a child, there are a lot of things you can't control, so I've learned that I have to relax a little and just accept that things are OK.

If you are a perfectionist, do you feel stressed about being "so-so"? I'm a lazy person, but it doesn't really make sense to me (lol)

It felt strange at first. I've always lived my life setting goals for everything, so I felt bad for thinking, ``This is enough.'' However, plans can change completely depending on the child's health, and if we don't accept that, we won't be able to continue.

People who become top athletes have different mindsets.

I no longer have to worry about being perfect, and I've started to think that it would be nice if my life, our lives, were rich.

Your child is a girl, right? Do you think that women's rugby will eventually become a reality?

I don't know if it's rugby, but I'd like them to play sports. There's a tennis court nearby, so there's talk of letting them play tennis. It's still a long way off (lol).