Staff & Interns
Jacob Reiner Founder – Earth Embassy
Jake is an EcoArchitect, Builder and Sustainable Technology specialist. He first came to Japan after graduating from Cornell University in 1993. His work deals mainly with promoting and improving environmentally sensitive technologies, building techniques and organic products. Having been involved with projects ranging from ecologically sound highway design to recycling technology development, he is currently concentrating on building Eco Homes in Japan and development of the Organic Farm School on Mt Fuji.
Emiko Fatima Shah Katsumata
Solar Cafe Manager
Emiko is our very capable manager at the Solar Cafe and Guesthouse. She also helps with planning and oversite of our farm and event management. Emi first came as a volunteer in the summer of 2007 and joined the team full time in April of 2008. She was born in Japan but lived many years in Pakistan, where she attended university as a fine arts major. Emi is an amazing cook and has brought to our menu an expert hand at curries, chutneys, her own vegan tofu cheese recipe, and our amazing tofu cheese cake! Her pleasant personality and diligent character are key to keeping the Solar Cafe running smooth and comfortable for guests.
Natsuco Kamano
Farm Manager and Kid’s Program Coordinator
Natusco is an Osaka native who is very serious in her work on the farm, and very serious about making the experience fun and rewarding for all who participate. Her experience spans WOOFING on various farms around Japan, volunteering in Costa Rica for 3 months, working on a sugar cane farm in Okinawa, and volunteering on the earth Embassy farm for 3 months in 2008. She has also worked with an interactive children’s puppet theater group in Minnesota and brings many interesting and educational aspects to our children’s programs.
Miho Ota de Garcia
Tierra Madre-Fair Trade Importer
Miho is the founder and director of Tierra Madre, a fair trade import organization that is devoted to the preservation of Guatemalean Rain Forest. She buys handmade goods and organic coffee directly from indigenious people and promotes forest conservation through lectures and events in Japan. As the fair trade coordinator for the Earth Embassy shop, she provides a way for our guests to support the Guatemalean local forest based economy.
Takashi Akaike
Eco Home Builder
Akaike-san is a master Japanese carpenter and has been building high quality, custom wooden homes in Japan for over 30 years. He is the general contractor for the Earth Embassy Eco-homes and in 2005 completed the first Embassy Eco Home in Tokyo with Jacob Reiner. His dedication to craftsmanship and affordablity make him a highly sought after builder and ensure that the Embassy Eco Homes are built to the highest standards of safety, durability, and comfort.
Web Master Julian
Jules lives in Paris, France. He created and manages this amazing web site. Before coming to join our team he ran his own online record distribution company, getting cutting edge techno out to the people. He currently designs and manages a variety of professional website and can be contacted at webmaster@earthembassy.org
2000 – 2008. Hall of Fame – Past Staff, Interns and Volunteers
Susanne Kurz
Cafe and Volunteer Coordinator, Animal Caretaker – Solar Cafe
Susanne was the overall site manager and kept the Solar Cafe and Guesthouse running smoothly from the summer of 2003 through 2005. Originally from Stuttgart, Germany, after attending university she worked at an eco tourism site in the jungle of Peru, where she was responsible for rehabilitating Howler monkeys. Her dedication to the project and hard work are unequalled, and her creative homemade cake recipes are renowned across Japan.
Susi is now back in Germany where she is the proud mama of a beautiful baby boy, Quentin. They live together with Spek, one of the puppies raised at the Embassy
Tom & Marcel
Sheep Specialist and Farm Carpenter
Tom and Marcel joined us for a few months in late 2008. Tom is an architect from Ireland and was super helpful with building projects and also having grown up on a sheep farm, was able to give us some good advice and help with taking care of Rueben and Eva. Marcel was just passing through on his one year mission to climb mountains all over Japan, and he ended up staying on as a volunteer and using us as a base camp between his climbs. Couldn’t have made it through the year without their help, so thanks fellows.
Jay Gearing
Farm Carpenter and Children’s Teacher
Jay is a carpenter and musician from Petersborough, England and works hard to keep the Embassy standing. In 2004 he completed our first tree house on site, and many other vital projects.
Julie Ogier
All Around Super Star
Julie joined us after a three year stint at Phantom Ranch in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. After getting all her food from the back of a mule for three years, she was happy to help on our farm and repaint our kitchen (in her own fashion). She is also a master hat maker and kept the staff heads warm this winter.
Joshia Akaike
Advisor and Carpenter
Joshia is one of the founders and owners of the successful Blue Moon beach bar in Hayama, Japan. He is German/Japanese and was a professional competition horse rider in his youth. Currently he lives in a thatched roof house on Lake Saiko with his wife and three children. He brings to our team many years of entreprenureal business management and professional construction experience.
Michael Gover
Master Baker and Chef
Michael is originally from Bristol England and has been baking and teaching cooking in Japan for over ten years. His cooking style incorporates gourmet touches from the many countries he has lived in. He teaches bread baking and cooking at the Solar Cafe and his magic touch (he can pull rabbits out of your ear) makes him very popular with kids and adults.
Azusa Kimura
Field Coordinator
Azusa is a certified science teacher from Gunma Prefecture. She is taking care of planting, fertilizing and general maintenance of our fields as well as keeping the sheep happy and well fed. Her enthusiasm and sunny disposition are a benefit to all who work with her and we are happy to have her joining the team.