"I want to become a fine hotelier and give back to everyone."

The "The Peninsula Tokyo East Japan Earthquake Reconstruction Support Hotelier Scholarship Program" is the first full tuition scholarship program of its kind at a luxury hotel in Japan. Aimed at nurturing future talent for the hospitality industry, it provides approximately 5.8 million yen as a scholarship to cover two years of tuition, facility fees, material costs, and dormitory fees at Nihon Kogakuin College, which has produced many hoteliers. Ms. Kumagai will have the opportunity to work at The Peninsula Tokyo as a part-time employee during her studies and as a full-time employee after graduation.

The selection process involved an essay titled "Reasons for Wanting to Work in the Hospitality Industry" for applicants accepted to Nihon Kogakuin College who reside in the six Tohoku prefectures affected by the disaster, including Fukushima, Miyagi, and Iwate. Furthermore, an interview was conducted by members of the scholarship committee, including General Manager Malcolm Thompson. Ms. Kumagai was chosen because "her passionate actions and demeanor, and above all, her wonderful smile, were impressive and stood out."