Saeko Nishimura
Empowering Women Through the Power of Entertainment
I want to create opportunities for women to take their first steps wherever they are through the power of entertainment,» says Saeko Nishimura, the visionary organizer of Mrs. of the Year. As the driving force behind the growth of the Japan-branded contest into one of the largest of its kind in Asia, Saeko’s mission is clear: to promote diversity, beauty, and world peace.
Mrs. of the Year, a celebration of the lives and stories of women, was born in Japan to champion these values. Japan, known for its four beautiful seasons and a deep cultural appreciation for harmony, is also a country where the gender gap index ranks 92nd out of 198 developed nations. Women’s societal roles, particularly in rural areas, are often stifled by the fear of standing out. However, change is on the horizon.
Japanese women are beginning to embrace self-love, confidence, and action. Saeko emphasizes the need to be ageless, borderless, and genderless, highlighting the importance of continuing to challenge the status quo. Through her work, she aims to transform Japanese values using the power of entertainment.
The event she initiated in 2020 marked the first-ever Japan-branded Mrs. Contest. By 2022, the world championship was held in Japan, growing with the concepts of «From the region to the world» and «Bringing the world’s finalists to Japan.» The contest has become a leading event in Asia, culminating in the largest-ever Mrs. of the Year WORLD 2024, scheduled to take place in Tokyo in June 2024.
Saeko’s journey has been filled with challenges, but the past four years have brought invaluable encounters and experiences. «I am filled with gratitude to everyone I have met. Life is enriched and expanded by encounters with people. I feel this with all my heart,» she shares.
Through these experiences, Saeko has learned the importance of being self-driven, taking action, and maintaining continuity. Despite starting her venture during the COVID-19 pandemic, she held a firm belief that people would gather in hopeful, exciting, and beautiful places. Overcoming initial opposition and concerns, she was inspired by a single phrase she found online: «Epidemics happen once every 100 years. It is a very difficult time for mankind, but at the same time, it is a time of great value change.» These words spurred her into action, leading her to organize competitions in all 47 prefectures of Japan, encouraging women to take their first steps and expand their horizons.
As a result, the contest now boasts participants ranging in age from 20 to 99, sending many strong, independent women into the world. «I love the field. All the answers are on the ground. Meeting people in person and looking them in the eye is crucial to conveying our thoughts,» Saeko asserts.
This year, she expanded her reach with «Mrs. of the Year France» in Paris and «Mrs. of the Year Taiwan,» bringing the contest to an international stage. Saeko’s extraordinary passion for her work is evident. She values dreaming big, embracing challenges without fear, and loving oneself. Her energy and conviction are set to uplift the world.
Saeko Nishimura:
A Profile:
Born in Hyogo Prefecture, Saeko Nishimura began her career as a CA on international flights with a Japanese airline. Her global experiences laid the foundation for her innovative ideas. After retiring, she worked as a manager and producer for major entertainment production companies, discovering and nurturing popular models and talents, and organizing some of Japan’s most renowned events.
In 2020, Saeko launched Mrs. & Mr. of the Year to celebrate the lives of those with stories to tell. In just three years, she has built one of the largest communities in Asia, holding local conventions across all 47 prefectures in Japan and organizing the first-ever JAPAN BRAND World Tournament. Believing in the power of entertainment, Saeko continues to influence events, movies, and music.
Saeko Nishimura’s story is one of resilience, vision, and unwavering passion. Her work not only uplifts women but also challenges societal norms, making her a true Feminine Boss.
I would like to share with you a «life hack» that I have been following for over 10 years: don’t speak ill of others. This is surprisingly difficult to do.
We often see the term «00 addiction.» It can range from something as mundane as coffee to something that is a major problem. But I heard something interesting. One interesting thing I heard was that there is such a thing as «bad-mouthing addiction.»
According to neurologists, swearing releases the hormone dopamine, which is involved in pleasure and makes us feel temporarily happy. But once dopamine, a brain substance, is released, it causes us to seek «greater stimulation.» In order to produce new dopamine, people will swear more often or use more extreme swear words, which leads them to go deeper and deeper into addiction. It is the same symptom as other addictions.
As a result, they increase the stress of not being able to stop. In the worst case, it seems they risk damaging their brain and shortening their life span. It is scary, isn’t it? And I’ve also noticed that not swearing speeds up the process of getting closer to success!
