About Steve Jarvis

Originally from Australia and now a permanent resident of Japan, I’ve spent over 30 years immersed in Japanese culture—enough time to become bicultural and develop the sensitivity needed to bridge languages and cultures.

With 15+ years of experience creating and managing “positive media” content, I’ve worked across magazines, newspapers, radio, film, and online platforms. My fields of work in media are diverse and include social good, disaster relief, sustainability, renewable energy, destination marketing, technology, and the creative ways people improve their communities and the planet. Along the way, I’ve authored dozens of articles, built a substantial portfolio of commissioned work, and translated a wide range of Japanese content into English.

I spent more than a decade at SOTOKOTO magazine, contributing to the publication and the company’s wider initiatives, including international business, events, and CSR projects. For the past six years, I’ve been a freelance writer, translator, and consultant, connecting ideas and stories between Japan and the world. My bilingual expertise helps me communicate complex ideas in ways that resonate across cultures.

I also have extensive experience in international business negotiations, translation, and interpretation, and I have had leading positions in rural revitalization, sustainable development, art exhibitions, and tourism projects.

Before shifting to media, I was in academia, researching international political economy and technology innovation. I hold a Ph.D. in Area Studies (Japan/East Asia) from the Australian National University, with research at the University of Tokyo, and have taught university courses in East Asian History and Globalization.