 Today, we're taking your health back, streaming live from our studios of think tech Hawaii in downtown Honolulu, and from my home office in Makiki. Today, we shall experience the journey of diabetes to the eyes of cyberbunny from Japan to Hawaii. Welcome, cyberbunny. Konnichiwa, hajimashite. Hey Wendy, thanks for having me on the show. Oh, I'm so excited to hear your journey and just make a difference for many people that are listening in. So, before we get started, I really want you to just share a little bit about who you are. Tell us about yourself. All right. I'm cyberbunny. I'm a Japanese American content creator based in Tokyo and Hawaii. A lot of people know me for my Hiragana song. I has 1.4 million views on YouTube, and a lot of people learn and start Japanese from that video. Wow, so you go back and forth from Japan to Hawaii got the two best places in the world. And I know you just must really love just sharing about when you're in Japan you probably talk all about Hawaii and when you're visiting Hawaii, you talk about Tokyo. So, tell us what what started this all for you this content creator. Well, like you said, I'm living in the best of both worlds bridging the gap between two cultures of the West and the East. And I usually make content for people who are looking to live in Japan. These are students, expats, military. Just a lot of people love Japan so I want to share more about my culture. I talk about unwritten rules, social behaviors, my personal recommended spot. And currently I'm promoting hotels that people can check out in the Tokyo area. Well, I'm sure besides hotels, I mean everybody must want to know, where's the best place to get ramen. I got you. Yeah. Right. You have to go and check all these places out so you can make the best recommendation. Is that correct. Yes. Yeah. If you want ramen, I got a video for that. If you want Yakitori, I know some places. Wow. And of course, I know I've seen you in many different kimonos. So if someone is going to Japan, I would look up, look you up and I'm sure you would have the best spot to share with us about where the best kimono fashion can be found. Is that right? Oh, yes. Yeah. My grandmother has a closet full of kimono because she used to do traditional kimono, I mean traditional Japanese dancing. So I got to pair it a lot of that. And so are you inviting us to come to grandma's closet? I actually made a video about that. And I'm sure in Japan, you must have seen or like a lot of halos, the Japanese women are so excited about the Hawaiian culture. And I bet you your job is so busy there because they must be asking you about the Hawaiian entertainers and the hula and halos and they're very competitive because they love the Hawaiian culture so much. So tell us a little bit about that. I'm not too big on the Hawaiian culture, but the Japanese do love Hawaii so much. I actually see some TV shows, whether dancing hula and it just makes me so nostalgic of Hawaii. Yes, of course. And you know, more and more, the local entertainers love going there because of course, you know, the Japanese culture and all their, you know, their hospitality is over the top. And so not only do our performers and our dancers go there, but they love the way they get treated with such respect. You know, just the Japanese culture, I'm sure that's what you exude as well. When you're there, and then when you come to Hawaii and you're the Japanese bunny, the cyber bunny that you are, people must just fall so in love with you because of your graciousness. But kids do love me so much. I just went to the Okinawa Festival and then the first people that thought of me were kids. They wanted to take a picture. That was so nice. Okay, so tell us more about the Higuragana song. Like you said, 1.4 million views on YouTube. That's crazy. I know, it's crazy. I didn't even expect it to be this popular. Um, yeah, I made this about four years ago, and I wanted to teach Japanese language and culture. That is my life mission. And I wanted to teach in a very fun, entertaining way because I personally don't like textbooks. I don't know about you, but that's what we get in the long girl. I love music and entertainment, so I feel like this is the best way to learn. Okay, so educate Auntie a little bit. 1.4 million views. That means it went viral. Do people make money when it goes viral like that? It depends. Yeah. This particular video went so viral that YouTube had to slice my absence in half. Because, yeah, I don't know if that's like a compliment or anything, but yeah, it kind of sucks for me. Wow, wow. So I know that you love entertainment. You love singing and dancing and just sharing the, like how we share the yellow spirit. I'm sure when you're there, you talk so much about that. And when you are back or you come back to Hawaii and visit, then you speak about the Japanese culture and both ways you educate on these. Two very excellent lifestyles. But I also know that you have something that you have a little health challenge. And not many people know about it because you're just a cyber buddy. You're just the happiest, cutest person around in any environment. But there's a more serious side of you. And I'd like to dive into that a little bit. So can you share a little bit about your health challenge with us here today? Yes, absolutely. I'm really happy to talk about it here because I don't, I feel like everyone struggles with something. And for me, it's type one diabetes. I was diagnosed at age 15 in Japan. And some of the symptoms I had to undergo were weight loss, constant thirst, going to the bathroom, feeling fatigued. So my uncle said, why don't you just check your blood sugar since we're having a fair in the park? So I did. And my sugar was 300. So a normal blood sugar would be about 180 to 120. But so we were like, this is not good. We have to send you to the hospital. So the day before I had to fly back to Hawaii, I was in the hospital. Wow. And I was diagnosed. Wow. So now you get this diagnosis, your blood sugar is over the top. And do they give you the diagnosis that you are type one at that visit? Or is it determined later? Yeah, it was such a long time ago, but I feel like I went, when I went back to Hawaii, I was diagnosed. I was in the hospital again. That's why I remember. Okay. Yeah, a couple of hospital. They took care of me. Wow. Wow. So that's amazing because, and the good thing is that you did go to the hospital. Some or a lot of people find out their blood sugars or they don't even go to check. And they're like that. And whether it's in denial or they just, they just don't know because they don't go to the doctor, at least you check. And then you took action, you know, on that. And so cyber bunny, that to me is success because, you know, I always, I always say that success is not just being at the right place at the right time, but success is being at the right place at the right time and taking action. You found out and then you took action. And so now from that point on your diagnosed with type one diabetes, what is your lifestyle look like now from that point? As a child growing up, I didn't like chocolate. I didn't like candy. I was eating very healthy. But now that I have this condition on craving chocolate. And so I got really depressed at one point because I was in high school when I was diagnosed, and I was looking at my classmates, and they're all eating junk food and I had to sit and watch that and it was really a struggle for me because I was like, Well, I want to eat that, but I can't. Unless I plan, I'm planning to run a lap afterwards. But I really had to take my diet and exercise seriously. And I feel like everyone should be on a low carb diet. Right. You're not right. Yeah. I feel like there. Listen to cyber bunny. You should be on a low carb diet. Whether or not you're diagnosed as she is with this challenge. So that's very good advice coming from you. And that's unusual that you didn't like chocolate and sweets, but now that you shouldn't have it. Now you're craving something psychological about that. Yeah, yeah. Wow. And so now, let's see, let's take it a step back. I know also before we jump too far ahead. I think that you were featured in a Forbes magazine. Yeah, before we go too far ahead and I forget. Okay, okay, okay. Okay, I was, I was, I got on the list for for Asia 30 under 30 under social media media and marketing. They chose me because I represented Japan. And I did something different with my brand and being relatable and transparent about your life really touches the audience's heart. I feel like I have a good relationship with my audience. Wow. And for that forms Asia 30 under 30 that's an accomplishment because Asia is kind of big. Yeah, I'm pretty big. Kind of big. It's not like, you know, um, yeah, so that's a great accomplishment. I'm so proud of you. Thank you so much. Yeah, that's that's a hallelujah man. And so for media marketing and social media. So, I mean, I love your look. I love your heart. And, you know, these stories that are going to continue to be produced by you is just going to be very successful and just pick your topics carefully, because everyone's going to want to hear from you. Right. They will know that you're talking about a challenge and you know, a lot of them social media people they don't dive into some personal challenges like what you're sharing with us now. It's very, very important. Very important. And so I just for the Japanese people for the American people. I mean, tell us, tell us more about the different in contrast between these two cultures as well with their diets and their lifestyle. I definitely see a huge difference between like lifestyle in Japan and America. I currently I'm living three months in Japan, three months in America going back and forth and I feel my body change. It is. Yeah, so when I'm in Hawaii. Even though there's like outdoors you can go high, you can go beach. I feel like I have to make time to get my exercise in. Whereas in Japan, you're just naturally moving at the train station there are stairs my house has is a two story house so I'm always moving and I don't have to put in gym time. That was the major difference. I personally go to the gym I kind of do the Asian style here. I walk as much as I can, because I once lived in Hong Kong and that's kind of ideally the same. We're parking is such a problem not everybody owns cars, public transportation is best. So you're running for the mass transit, you're going up and down those massive stairs, going from one platform to the other platform. You know, and again, I know that you want to talk about the portions of the food in Japan, Asia versus Hawaii. Right. So, I mean, when you're in Japan. Yes, I do and I pay half the amount in America. It's the price and it's the portion. Huge difference. Yes. You know, that's the good thing about going to Asia. Yeah, sometimes it's pricey. So yes, you eat what you just need and enjoy that and savor every bit of it, but the walkie and also depends where you go in the US of course in Hawaii it's hot but it's a human but in Asia. I mean I'm comparing Hong Kong Japan. It's human. Right. I mean, how do you stay so pretty and keep your hair so beautiful. Filters. If your ears get floppy because it's so humid there, you know, I don't know but it's very humid. And I know we get used to it, but that's part of the good part. I look at humidity, high humidity as a bonus because we excrete more, we perspire more, you know, you burn more calories because you're hot. Right. But just talk to me about like even a size of a donut. Are the donuts the same size in Japan as it is in Hawaii? Donuts in Hawaii are so huge. Like I have to eat that with someone whereas in Japan, like it's good for one person. Wow. Yeah, there's more value that you get in America. And you know, in Japan, I know they really try to teach you wellness care, you know, and they try to help you to deal with your issue and they don't just mask it. So tell us about that. The medicine practices of Japan and the US. Sure. I see a diabetes endocrinologist, both in Japan and Hawaii. And the major difference that I've seen is that in Japan, like you said, you work on the foundation. So make sure that your diet and exercise are doing or you're doing it daily. And whereas in America, they just put a bandaid and they say, you can eat whatever you want, you can do whatever you want. And they just add medicine. And I feel like that's just an easy way to stop the real issue. Right. And they just want more money for the pharmacy. Right. Right. So now being that you're living, you know, in both worlds, which do you practice more religiously? Take, I like to take the Japanese approach. I feel like it's better long term. You're absolutely right. What you're doing, whether you're in Japan, I don't care where you are in the world. I think if you continue with that philosophy and lifestyle, and if we can encourage more of the people here in Hawaii to do that, you know, instead of just saying, I want to eat that, I want to eat that pie or that steak. So I'm just going to double up on insulin or I'm going to just, you know, pump it up. But what you're saying is that, you know, your lifestyle, your walking more, your portions are smaller. That's the basic health prescription right there. So you share. Yeah, you share that. That's so key. And coming from a young lady as yourself, sharing that with us. I mean, we got to listen to you, cyberbunny, you know, right. You're, you're living it, right? You're living it and it's working. And as I said, coming from a younger generation, telling us what we should do or what's better. I think it has a lot of value that we need to be doing more of that. Yeah, yes. And I don't want anyone my age to suffer type two diabetes in the future, because they were eating so bad when they were younger my age. I don't want them to face the same consequences that I have to, because I'm not saying I'm not saying your life is miserable when you have type one diabetes you just have to learn how to manage it. And it takes time. And I think in Japan, it might be a little bit easier. I mean, if you just stick to the traditional diet and their food, you know, versus what we have in America, everything is all coming from a can of a bottle or a carton. But in Japan, you know, they're still doing a lot of things will scratch. And you know, the Asians, we're also known to be a lot of us are lactose intolerant, which is good, because then we won't eat all those cheeses and ice creams and drink all that milk. So, being a non dairy, I think in Asia you might have less temptation, even your desserts are not like what we have here. The only difference is your rice, the rice in Japan, but the rice in Japan is outrageously delicious. It's divine. But yet it's a better quality of rice as well. But the taste is there's no comparison to, I mean, you just go to a train station and eat a musubi. And that is like you're in heaven and it's just a bloody musubi. It's just rice and nori and seaweed. But it's so good because the rice quality is extraordinary. And so, so are there lots of processed foods and all that in Japan as well? Oh, yes, definitely. Snacks are all processed. I try to stay away from dairy. So I drink almond milk and oat milk. Just put in my coffee. But yeah, I definitely feel that Japan has better quality in food in general. Yeah. And so, you know, like now when you shop local in Hawaii or in the mainland, there's a lot of keto diet, you know, food, non GMO, vegan, you know, all that. Is it very accessible to find this quality of food there in Japan? You know, I made a video about this veganism is not that popular in Japan, only 2% of the population practice veganism. And so you see it on the TV and on the news all the time that they really focus on a balanced diet. Yeah, excellent. Wow. And so that's another great point that you brought out cyber bunny is that you see it on the TV, that they're promoting, you know, a balanced diet. That's the bottom line right when when the government or our media will back us up, you know, like what you're trying to say, you have to do it in your social media content. But if they put it on mainstream media, how much how many more people could they reach, but your job gets harder cyber bunny because you have to reach all those people with this great knowledge and information, because it's not being produced on on regular, multi media on the station. So you got a big job. Did you know that? Oh, I didn't realize. I'll just do this for fun. Keep it fun. Keep the content fun and that's how people will receive what you have to say, but you're going to be saving lives and helping so many. So that's why I'm so excited about all of what we're speaking on today and all the future presentations that you're working you're going to be working on. So I want to ask you, what would you say is your biggest struggle with diabetes? My biggest struggle is to keep it balanced lifestyle, not just diet, but a lifestyle between work and your personal life. Because in Japan, have you heard about burnout? Yeah, which is, yeah, people work so much that they forget to live a life. Yes. And it's very obvious. I'm sure the younger generation, being aware of it, they're not going to live like their parents did and have that quote unquote burnout. But then I think they're going to the extreme is really living life and having a good time. I mean, right. It's a different level of work or burnout. Now, I think maybe they're playing hard, which is good, which is good, but they have to keep, you know, the lifestyle in balance. Right. In that last picture, I wanted to ask you, you know, the thing, the fact that you were hoarding is this until we meet again at the rainbow bridge. What was that? That is my little white rabbit, my muse. Her name is Bianco. So this is her. Cyber Bunny takes after this one, Bianco. And she passed away right before I left for Japan three months ago. So I took her to Hokkaido, which was, that's the location in the photo. And we went to Hokkaido together. And is she, her remains are in Hokkaido or do you have her with you? She's in Japan right now. Yeah. We put her in the garden. I had a little bunny like that too. I know mine was called Randy and yeah, best lifestyle again. And you know what I see when they're eating, that's how I try to structure my life as well. All the healthy foods that the bunny eats. So I have a very special relationship with bunnies and then my daughter is a year of the rabbit. So everything is bunny bunny bunnies bunnies and more bunnies. Oh yes. That's when I saw you, I'm like, oh, you're right there together. I was so excited to just, just learn more about what you're, you know, what you, what you do. And I'm very amazed. And I'm sure that we're going to have you on again. But so as I was just alluding to, you know, I find you very inspirational. I'm watching you and how you were communicating and talking story and just, you know, just your mannerisms. I love, I love this. So just I want you to share your thought with all of us about what you're doing in your future endeavors with cyber bunny as cyber. I just want to let my viewers know that you can do whatever you set your mind to and don't let any condition like cyber like like diabetes in my case to hinder your past, present and future. Or else it's going to be wasted potential, you know, like, of course, work hard, but go at your own pace. Don't stress yourself. Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone is unique in their own ways, because not everyone can be diabetic, and not everyone can be you so just yourself. And you know, I always say, because I work here in Hawaii with the diabetic association is a board of directors, and so I sat on the board for 14 and 15 years. And I would say, wow, you know, I would train them to make videos on their lives and I say, you know, wow, because of you. I mean diabetes is so amazing because of you being diagnosed with diabetes, your family is eating healthier because of you. So you see how blessed you are you're bringing health to your family, because of you, your mom and dad have to cook healthier because of you. And they have to exercise more because of you. So because of you, you're saving your mom's and dad's lives by giving them more health and awareness. And so everything that happens, we always have to look at the silver lining that comes along with it. Right. And this is exactly what you just said you do. Exactly. And because of the pandemic, we have even more time for ourselves that we can focus on our health. So now's the time guys. Yes, they exactly. And so this is what we need to do is just focus on taking all the good things that happen, even in the last 10 years, two years, whatever bad you know was transpired. There were lots of good that came out of it we have more time to think and figure out for you cyber bunny, you probably were traveling maybe not as much as you wanted to but wherever you were I'm sure you have more time to think about the future and the future content that you are going to be producing. And then you can go and hit more viral levels. And I know that's coming your way. So I was just so amazed by watching you the other night, and just wanted you to be on my show to share your heart and, and continue and great success for you. I know it's coming. But, um, everybody we run out of time for today. Oh no. Yeah, I just wanted to say mahalo or I got to go. Thank you for sharing much like on this topic of diabetes amongst Japan and the US. And I want to let everyone know that we'll be back in two weeks on taking your health back to 20 low. So mahalo cyber bunny and most of you again. Thank you, Wendy. Thank you so much for watching think tech Hawaii. If you like what we do, please like us and click the subscribe button on YouTube and the follow button on Vimeo. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn and donate to us at think tech Hawaii.com mahalo.