Happiness, the speaker contends, is not an emotion dictated by external conditions, but a concept we define for ourselves.During his travels, he encountered villagers living in material poverty, yet radiating with calm, genuine smiles. This sparked a powerful question: Who is truly unhappy? Further deepening this inquiry was a striking fact from psychology: “happiness” does not appear on Plutchik’s renowned Wheel of Emotions.These insights gave rise to a new educational framework—JF Education (Joy & Fulfillment)—designed to redefine how we understand happiness.In this talk, the speaker invites us to shift focus from what we lack to the value already within our reach.Happiness is not something to be granted by others, but something we awaken to ourselves. Each of us holds the power to elevate our own happiness—and that of those around us. That is the heart of this talk. “Happiness is not something to be found, but something to be created.” — An educator who lives by this belief. Ryu Julius Iwano is the founder of the R. Julius Educational Foundation and the creator of JF Education®, a philosophy-based educational system that empowers individuals to create their own happiness and live fulfilling lives. At the age of 12, Julius was introduced to a Jewish family when his sister married into their lineage. There, he encountered generations-old wisdom centered around the idea that “happiness is cultivated through meaning.” Inspired by these teachings, he went on to develop a unique educational framework that combines neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and cognitive psychology. At the heart of JF Education® are four core values: Love, Contribution, Gratitude, and Happiness. Through free schools in developing countries and corporate training programs, Julius is spreading a ripple effect of well-being—from individuals to society—through transformative education. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

The speaker claims that true self-love comes from connecting with your own soul, leading to personal happiness and benefiting society. Self-love, she argues, is not merely a self-centered attitude; rather, it is cultivated through three steps: observing your emotions, recognizing what you truly desire, and trusting your intuition. In doing so, she emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and letting go of any emotions or thought patterns you may have been suppressing unconsciously.She warns that ignoring the voice of your soul in favor of logic or profit alone leads you away from your true self. However, once genuine self-love is established, you can extend kindness to those around you and gain the power to realize your dreams. Client experiences support the speaker’s claim, with real stories of transformation, such as, “I was able to forgive myself” and “I’ve learned to accept myself as I am.” Ultimately, the message concludes that if self-love continues to grow, it can fill the entire world with love. Representative Director, Quantum Leap Inc.Born in 1984 and raised in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Concerned about her tomboyish personality, her parents encouraged her to sit for elementary school entrance exams, leading her to enroll in the private Tokyo Jogakkan. However, she struggled to fit in and began rebelling around fourth grade, repeatedly running away from home.At sixteen, she moved to the United States on her own. Starting with almost no English skills, she graduated from a local high school with straight A’s, then went on to major in Spanish. She returned to Japan at age twenty.She began her career at the NOVA English conversation school. Within ten months, she became the top salesperson in her area and was promoted to store manager. Over the next fifteen years, she accumulated extensive sales experience in advertising agencies, modeling agencies, and local magazines. After having children, she started working as a remote sales agent and has now been teleworking for eleven years.Finding it too difficult to raise three children in Tokyo, she relocated at age thirty-five to Yamanashi and later to Ehime, both blessed with abundant nature. Wanting to support others who, like herself, struggled with a sense of unease or difficulty in life, she studied psychology, NLP, and counseling and decided to pursue a career in mental health. Through online consultations, she has offered counseling and coaching to over 500 people—those who say they don’t know what “being true to oneself” means, who want to live more freely, or who wish to achieve their dreams—all from her home.At thirty-eight, prompted by divorce, she reassessed her life and moved with her children to her beloved Okinawa. She is currently involved in organizational coaching, executive coaching, and corporate retreats, aiming to help business leaders restore their innate brilliance by balancing mind, heart, and body, thereby working toward a peaceful society filled with smiles.In 2023, she published her first book, Jiai ga 10-Wari (lit. Self-Love is Everything). questioning what it truly means to live authentically. The book reached No.1 in three categories on Amazon. She has also appeared in numerous media outlets, including Tokyo FM, TV Ehime, the Ehime Shimbun, and the magazine *Turns*. She was featured in a two-day, close-up segment on Nippon TV’s *Sukkiri* and had a discussion with Hiroyuki on AbemaTV.Continuing her pursuit of love and adventure in undiscovered corners of the world, she travels globally, drawing inspiration from her experiences and sharing her insights wherever she goes. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Ashka Sunil Goyal shares her inspiring life journey through “Blindness Wasn’t My End. It Was My Beginning,” where she transforms challenges into strength and turns adversity into a new path of purpose. Ashka Suniil Goyal is a passionate changemaker who believes that blindness is not a limitation but a symbol of courage and resilience. Her vision is to redefine perspectives — turning what many see as pity into a source of inspiration. Currently pursuing her BA (Hons) in Fashion Management at the prestigious London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London, Ashka is determined to carve her path in the global fashion industry. She has been honored with the Invincible Spirit Award, presented by cricket legend Kapil Dev, in recognition of her extraordinary determination and spirit. Ashka has also gained professional exposure through projects with Pernia’s Pop-Up and has earned certifications in areas such as starting a fashion business, promoting fashion brands, and developing iconic style. With her dream college as her platform and a clear vision for the future, Ashka aspires to inspire countless others while making her mark as a leader in fashion and beyond. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

This talk explores how quiet, everyday microaggressions slowly chip away at identity. Using the metaphor of paper and foil, the speaker shares her experience growing up as “different” in Japan and the moment she found language to describe her pain. Her message: we’re not fragile—we’re resilient. Through small, intentional affirmations, we can ease each other’s wounds and build a kinder, more curious world. Born in Nagoya, Japan, and holding French-British nationality, Lykke Yuki-Alexandra Lafaye is a researcher, speaker, and advocate deeply committed to fostering understanding around identity, culture, and diversity. After completing her undergraduate studies at Sophia University in Tokyo, she continued into the Graduate Program in Global Studies, focusing on complex societal issues such as prejudice, discrimination, and intersectionality in modern Japan. Her insightful analysis and poignant storytelling led her to become a highly valued teaching assistant in courses addressing these critical topics. Lykke's journey is uniquely personal. Raised between cultures and navigating multilingual environments from childhood, she experienced firsthand the subtle yet profound impact of microaggressions and cultural dissonance. These experiences became foundational to her academic and professional pursuits, inspiring her to actively bridge divides through education and open dialogue. Beyond academia, Lykke is also a seasoned public speaker and has notably taken the stage at TEDx events, illuminating the nuanced ways microaggressions affect individual identity and resilience. Using innovative analogies—such as comparing emotional resilience to the process of smoothing crumpled aluminum foil—she passionately communicates strategies for empowerment and healing. Alongside her research and teaching roles, Lykke is actively involved in translation and cross-cultural communication, utilizing her bilingual proficiency in Japanese and English to enhance global dialogues on diversity and inclusion. She has also contributed to various seminars, workshops, and academic publications dedicated to promoting deeper intercultural understanding. Currently residing in Tokyo, Lykke continues to engage audiences worldwide, championing empathy, inclusivity, and mutual respect as essential tools for fostering meaningful human connections. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

In a world overflowing with data, where 463 exabytes are created every single day, the paradox is clear: we are swimming in information, yet our actual knowledge of life itself remains astonishingly limited. Mr. Amit Mookim invites us to step into the fascinating frontier of modern biology, where the unknown still vastly outweighs what we know.Though humanity has mapped nearly all of Earth’s surface, science has identified less than 25% of its biodiversity. Of the estimated 100 million types of viruses, only 10,000 have been classified. These invisible entities are not just threats, they have been evolutionary allies.Viruses also lie at the heart of one of today’s greatest medical revolutions: using genetically engineered viruses to fight cancer. From early experiments with measles and influenza, to today’s Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T), scientists are harnessing viruses to reprogram our immune systems. The result: personalized treatments that have already given children with blood cancers a second chance at life.Mr. Mookim’s talk explores how breakthroughs at the intersection of data, genetics, and biology are rewriting the possibilities of medicine. But he reminds us that the greatest source of hope lies not just in what we’ve discovered, but in what still remains hidden. For within the vast unknown of biology may lie cures for terminal illnesses, solutions for autoimmune diseases, and the next great leap in human health.Amit Mookim is the CEO of Immuneel Therapeutics, transforming and bringing affordable cell and gene therapy to India and the world. Amit Mookim is a leader whose work lies at the powerful intersection of science, business, and compassion. As the CEO of Immuneel Therapeutics, he is driving groundbreaking work in cancer care, bringing cutting-edge immunotherapies closer to those who need them most. With an extensive background in healthcare strategy and a deep understanding of India’s medical landscape, Amit has dedicated his career to transforming the way life-saving treatments reach patients. His mission goes beyond business, it is about rewriting the story of hope for countless families. On the TEDx stage today, he will challenge us to imagine a future where access to advanced healthcare is not determined by geography or privilege, but by a shared belief in human dignity. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx