A New Series Presented by the Junshin High School PR Team!
Successful Alumni in Society
The first installment in this series features Yurika Mizoguchi, a professional women's volleyball player who made her mark in Germany's Bundesliga last year.
At Junshin High School, we aim to develop individuals who can thrive independently in a rapidly changing society, grounded in the principles of cooperation, self-exploration, and service. We encourage taking initiative rather than waiting for instructions, respecting others and working collaboratively in teams, and thinking critically to find solutions to challenges.
Yurika Mizoguchi, a graduate of Junshin High School, embodies these values. She has excelled to the point of playing in Germany's Bundesliga. We delve into her high school years, her decision to go abroad, the challenges she faced, and what she wished she had done during her high school days.
Through our interview, we learned the importance of taking action.
Profile of Yurika Mizoguchi
- Yurika Mizoguchi
- Born in Fukuoka City in 1995, graduated from Junshin High School in 2014.
- After graduating from Nippon Sport Science University, she joined the professional volleyball team "Victorina Himeji" in 2018. In 2023, she played for VfL Oythe in the German Bundesliga.
- Last season, she was awarded MVP in the Bundesliga.
Media
Q&A with Senior Mizoguchi
Interview with Yurika Mizoguchi by Our School Staff.
Why did you choose Junshin High School?
"I had an older sister who was two years ahead of me, and I enjoyed the atmosphere during practice and the support during matches. I wanted to play volleyball with my sister and compete in the Spring High School Tournament together."
What are your memories from high school?
"I don't remember much about school events because I was always thinking about volleyball. However, I clearly remember the class match during my senior year when the whole class came together as one."
How did you grow during high school?
"I was quite rebellious in middle school, so overcoming that was significant. In my senior year, as the captain, I spent my time thinking about how to lead the team to victory and questioning how to pull the team together. I learned to trust others, thanks to the support from my peers and juniors."
Did you plan to become a professional volleyball player in high school?
"I didn't think about becoming a professional player during high school. At that time, I was focused on winning the prefectural tournament and competing nationally. I had a strong desire to play high-level volleyball, which led me to continue playing volleyball in college."
Why did you decide to go to Germany?
"Playing with foreign players in Himeji inspired me to play abroad. I wanted to challenge myself and see how far I could go internationally, so I decided to go to Germany."
What challenges did you face in Germany?
"The language barrier was tough. Not only did I have to learn German, but I also couldn't speak English well. It made me realize the significance of language barriers."
What were the benefits of going to Germany?
"Experiencing volleyball abroad taught me to adapt quickly during matches. I also had the chance to learn about German history and culture by making friends there."
Advice for current students
"Don't be afraid of failure and challenge yourself. Trying new things may be scary, but taking action increases your growth opportunities. Even if you fail, it becomes part of your experience and future steps."
From Her Former Teacher
"In her first year, Yurika still showed signs of her rebellious middle school years. However, I witnessed her incredible growth over three years. As a captain, she constantly chose the path of challenge despite struggles. I'm proud that she continued to take action after graduation and went abroad."
From Principal Kumamoto
"I remember seeing her off at Fukuoka Airport when she was heading to Nippon Sport Science University. She said, 'I'll come back as Japan's best!' Just six months later, she won the national championship. Her growth and achievements were a joy to witness."
Editorial Note
"Choosing to take action requires courage, as it comes with risks and stress. However, the learning and experiences gained through the process are invaluable. Mizoguchi’s story reinforced the importance of taking action for growth. Efforts in academics can also broaden future opportunities. As teachers, we aim to develop students who can act on their own will and create engaging classes that expand their academic horizons. We will continue to support our students to the fullest."
Follow Senior Mizoguchi on Instagram for her latest updates!
