Board of Directors

2024-2025

Michael Shaari

Founder and Board Chair

Michael is a sophomore at Harvard College studying Economics and East Asian Studies. Michael is a graduate from Horace Mann School, and he founded The Japan Periodical in 2020, serving as President from 2020-2023, and he has served on the Board since then.

Sammy Underberg

President

Sammy, a junior at Horace Mann school in New York City, has found her passion for writing through her Japanese class. Inspired by her freshman year class, she joined the Japan Periodical as a writer. While her high school class introduced her to Japanese grammar and vocabulary, Sammy aspired to deepen her understanding of Japan's rich culture. The Japan Periodical provides her with the perfect outlet to explore various topics related to Japan, beyond what she learns in class. Additionally, the Japan Periodical allows Sammy to connect with students worldwide, fostering a global community of learners.

Rena Salsberg

Editor-in-Chief

Rena is a senior at the Horace Mann School in New York City; she lived in Tokyo, Japan for six years and attended the American School in Japan. She has continued to study Japanese language, history and culture, and is also more broadly interested in the post World War II study of Japan within the interdisciplinary study of East Asia. Beyond her area studies pursuits, Rena’s interest in Japanese culture is focused on food, the philosophy behind omotenashi, refined traditions such as ikebana and calligraphy, and social customs. She maintains a global network of current and former expats, which she continues to interact with in her capacity as Editor-in-Chief of the Japan Periodical.

Kiyomi Miura

Director of Global Outreach

Kiyomi is a high school senior at the American School in Japan. She is half Japanese and half American, and enjoys exploring the contrast between the two cultures. As a director of outreach she plans to take advantage of her connections in Japan and make the most out of the Japanese culture that surrounds her.

Toshihiro Odaira

Head Content Editor

Toshi is a high school senior at The American School in Japan. Toshi has previously lived in New York for 5 years, and enjoys to share his writing, something that The Japan Periodical allows him to do

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