Deas Richardson IV was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina. He studied visual arts in high school before joining the ranks at Furman University, a highly selective liberal arts college in his beloved southeast. After a study abroad opportunity at the prestigious Waseda University in Tokyo, Deas fell for Japan.

Upon graduating stateside with a degree in Asian Studies, he moved back to the land of the rising sun and became a local on the island of Hakata in Ehime Prefecture, right in the middle of Western Japan's beautiful Seto Inland Sea. He taught English as a participant on the JET Programme in public high schools for five years and ran several amazing summer camps. As a prefectural advisor for two years, counseled fellow foreigners having trouble with Japanese culture or personal crises. He also planned and executed major events as an advisor alongside his coworkers at the prefectural government, and developed a real passion for international relations and tourism as a volunteer in the community. Due to this drive, he frequently gave speeches to local groups and helped complete projects for the local international exchange association and the city government.

He is now looking for new employment opportunities. Please feel welcome to use the links below to contact Deas in English or in Japanese.