The founder of the school, Iryna Krutenko, is a recognized expert in the fields of Japanese studies, translation, and media & film production. She has 28 years of overall professional experience, including 18 years dedicated to the Japanese language and 10 years in the media industry.
Iryna studied Japanese at Oles Honchar Dnipro National University and further improved her proficiency at Tokyo West International Education Academy. She also received additional media education at Japan’s most renowned film and television academy — TOHO Gakuen.
While in Japan, she won the Youth Media Dream grant for purchasing professional equipment and received a budget to produce two short films in Tokyo and on Izu Island. She also studied modern showrunning techniques under Hollywood expert Mr. Neil Landau.
Professional Experience in Ukraine
For 10 years in Ukraine, Iryna has worked in her field:
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Written over 150 scripts, articles, and film analyses for media outlets;
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Created a one-year online course on Ukrainian culture and media exclusively for TOHO Gakuen (2023–2024);
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Directed three original short films, one of which was selected for the Busan International Film Festival 2020 (South Korea).
Translation and Cross-Cultural Projects
Iryna Krutenko has served as a translator for high-level meetings and teleconferences between regional authorities of Ukraine and Japan (Kherson–Yoshinogawa, Dnipro–Higashi Kurume), as well as for the 2nd All-Ukrainian Wanpaku Peace Sumo Tournament.
She has repeatedly participated as a simultaneous translator for online interviews on Ukrainian and Japanese television.
Iryna has also had the honor of attending two formal audiences with the Mayor of Tama City, Tokyo.
Shuriken Language School
Shuriken Language combines Japanese language learning with the opportunity to continue your education in Japan.
We help students choose an educational institution based on their Japanese language level, academic goals, and future career path. We provide guidance throughout the admissions process and support students at every stage – from selecting a program and preparing documents to enrollment and relocation to Japan. Our students are already studying in Japan and continuing their journey toward admission to Japanese colleges and universities.
For businesses and professional projects, we help find potential partners in Japan, establish connections, and build effective communication with the Japanese side.
We also organize educational programs and curated trips to Japan for those who want to experience the country firsthand and gain a deeper understanding of its culture, people, and contemporary life.