Hiroko Ito, a Sydney-based Japanese lawyer and ballet teacher, was selected for one of the 2021 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australian Awards. Source: Hiroko Ito
Ms. Hiroko Ito decided to become a diplomat due to the injury which was serious enough for her to consider the alternative career after working as a professional ballet dancer in Russia and Europe.
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent Ms. Ito to Sydney to study law, as part of its training program for diplomats. After becoming a solicitor, Ms. Ito decided to leave her job and stay in Australia. She now works for an international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills.
"What I'd like to do is to enhance the ties between Australia and Japan, such wonderful counties. I'd like people in Japan to know more about Australia," Ms. Ito says.
Ms. Ito had been always passionate about strengthening ties between Japan and other countries as a diplomat but "I started thinking that I could connect Australia and Japan by making the most of my expertise, which is in legal affairs."
In this month, Ms. Ito was selected as one of the 40 Under 40 Most Influential Asian-Australians this year.
Charity ballet lessons to support artists
Classical ballet is an inseparable element for Ms. Ito's life. She teaches the dance on weekends while working as a solicitor on weekdays.
"I do stretching exercise here and there while I'm at work (as a solicitor). I enjoy it. Ballet is a part of my life".
Ms. Ito offers ballet lessons to her colleagues as part of the office's wellness program during the lockdown.
Last week, Ms. Ito started charity online classes to support artists who face financial difficulties during the lockdown.
In the audio, Ms. Ito talks about her work and charity online ballet lessons.
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