Editor of the In-Between
Hello, I'm Nelson Mizushima. In Vietnam I bridged the space between Vietnam and Japan; on Okinoerabu Island, between foreign residents and islanders; and now in Tokyo, between generations. Through planning, reporting and editing, I give shape to sparks of understanding — this site collects that life and its work.
News
※ Project stories are currently written in Japanese.
About Me
My journey so far: born in Osaka, then Tokyo, Vietnam, Okinoerabu Island (Amami), and — since 2026 — Tokyo again.
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Chapter 1｜2006–2011
Tokyo: Systems Engineer
Built my IT foundations — system architecture and requirements design. Meanwhile I fell into Twitter comedy games, posting prompts and punchlines on the train home. Meeting those online comrades in person taught me a formative lesson: the space between screen and real life can be crossed.
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Chapter 2｜2012–2019
Vietnam: "Betomaru"
Moved to Vietnam for a job — and promptly found myself unemployed. Deciding that "if I want something interesting, I have to make it myself," I founded the local web magazine "Betomaru" and connected Vietnam and Japan through stories. From walking the streets as Durian Man to launching a site uniting 30+ writers around the world.
Projects： → べとまる → 海外ZINE → デイリーポータルZ
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Chapter 3｜2020–2025
Okinoerabu Island: Multicultural Community
Moved to my family's home island — drawn by my roots, and by learning of Vietnamese technical trainees going missing there — and founded Otonaki LLC. As a licensed social educator, multicultural coordinator and local newspaper reporter, I built tools and gathering places bridging foreign residents and the community, reported on people's work and passions, and worked on cultural heritage.
Projects： → COMIGRAM → やさしい島生活ガイド → しまむに
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Chapter 4｜2026–
Tokyo Again: New Communities
Back in Tokyo after 15 years. While exploring my island roots, I'm building projects that connect generations — and islands with the city — such as an app mapping restaurants run by people from the Amami Islands. The titles change; the work is always editing the in-between.
Projects： → VWRITER → 奄美群島飲ミュニティマップ
Projects & Works
※ Project stories are currently written in Japanese.
Media Ops & Support
Contributions, Columns & Local Reporting
Multicultural Community & Social Education
What I Can Do
My own projects always put me in the in-between — and standing there has kept expanding what I can do. "Could you do something like this?" is a question I always welcome. Let me connect the space between you and me.
Write & Edit
Writer & editor
- articles or booklets
- turning your PR into readable stories
- launching a publication
Connect
Licensed Social Educator / Multicultural Coordinator
- bridging with foreign residents through media and events
- accompanying local projects
- talks & training
Build
Google AI Professional / ex-Systems Engineer
- turning a local problem into an app
- AI adoption consulting
- local goods
Company
Business transactions are handled through Otonaki LLC. Its motto: "Making things that connect people." (Registered details below are in Japanese.)
View company details
- Company name
- 合同会社オトナキ
- Philosophy
- ひとをつなぐものをつくる
- Representative
- 水嶋 健（みずしま たける）
- Founded
- 2021年8月
- Head office
- 鹿児島県大島郡和泊町国頭
- Tokyo office
- 東京都世田谷区下北沢
- Business
- 編集・執筆、多文化共生・社会教育に関する企画、アプリケーションの開発・運営、郷土グッズの企画・製作
Get in Touch
The space between you and me connects right here, through this form. No need to be formal — a casual "hey, quick question" is very welcome. For example, these topics make my day (anything else is welcome too!):
- Writing & editing
- Multicultural & community projects
- App & AI ideas
- A chat about island roots