We are pleased to announce that Kazu Huggler, the founder of the Three Cranes Association, has been appointed as a Vitality Ambassador. This honor recognizes her outstanding contributions to the promotion of Swiss-Japanese relations, her commitment to strengthening fragile communities in Japan, and her work in fashion, art, and cultural exchange.

Kazu Huggler was born in Tokyo to a Japanese mother and a Swiss father and was exposed to both cultures from an early age. After studying at Keio University in Tokyo, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design from Central Saint Martins College in London. Kazu Huggler combines contemporary fashion and artworks with historical Japanese textiles. Through her association with the Three Cranes Association and her reconstruction activities after the Great Earthquake in northern Japan, she is committed to supporting communities. She currently lives with her family in Zurich.

Kazu Huggler on the significance of Swiss-Japanese friendship:
“Having grown up and studied in Zurich and Tokyo, I revitalize the traditional values of both cultures and create a harmonious blend of people, fashion, and the environment.”

Tokyo, Japan’s dynamic metropolis, continuously attracts young people from rural regions. However, this attraction poses challenges that affect both the capital and the rural areas of the country. Many young people are drawn to the cultural and professional diversity of Tokyo, as well as the freedom offered by an urban environment.

In 2024, the Vitality Swiss Program celebrates the 160th anniversary of bilateral relations between Switzerland and Japan by highlighting significant episodes of our history and exploring solutions and scenarios for a revitalized future. The three themes are: Healthy Living, Sustainable Planet, and Human-Centered Innovation, supported by our Vitality Swiss Ambassadors who embody the friendship between Switzerland and Japan.

For more information on the Swiss Vitality Days, please visit the Swiss Vitality website.