Hello,

Photo by Jens

My name is Kentaro Oshiba.

My nickname is "Shibaken" This is a famous kind of Japanese dog.Japanese people say their name family name first.so "Oshiba Kentaro" is shorter to "Shibaken"

My family consists of my father, mother, younger sister and a dog named Qoo. My younger sister is married but I'm not yet. My priority nowadays to feel free. I'm free from a girlfriend now.

I'm a traveler and Journalist. I can go anywhere I want to go. I write articles in newspapers, magazines, on the internet and anything that someone offers to me.

I love traveling to many different places and studying different cultures.

I'm interested in political issues especially referendum. This is because, Japan has never held national referendum throughout it's history. In resent years our government has decided on important political issues against popular opinion. For example, they have restarted a nuclear power plant, will join the Trance Pacific Partnership(TPP), will pass security-related legislation and are constructing a new U.S. base in Henoko, Okinawa.

I think government should listen to our citizens' opinion but they ignore us. Not only that, but the present Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe broke our constitution.

I think these problems occur because we don't have a referendum system. If we had a system of referendum, the government couldn't ignore popular opinion like Switzerland. This is because Japanese people don't know what referendum is and what would happen if referendum is held.That's why I've been to several countries where referendum is held. So that I can talk in Japan about how government, media and citizens work.

I'm sure that my reports help Japanese people change their mind. Elections are not the only way to take part in politics. We have other way to decide on important political matters. Demonstration can cause big influence. But it's not a way for all people in Japan to decide and take part.

I love to ride bicycles. I can maybe ride a bicycle all day for my entire life.

My dream is to travel around the world by bicycle.

I traveled by bicycle in Taiwan, Germany, Bulgaria and U.S. This is not yet enough for me. So I want to see this beautiful world with my own eyes and reach those views myself.In order to reach that dream, I make money, I learn English and I train my body everyday.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I love traveling and speaking with people.

Im big curious about culture and history.

for me as a journalist want to know that from local people!

Interests

Talking with people,

• culture
• politics
• traveling
• communications
• history
• journalism

Music, Movies, and Books

EDM.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In Ireland, with my friend, we rent a car and drive around Ireland for one week.

Teach, Learn, Share

If you'd like to know Japanese, I can teach it. I have experienced with many Japanese learners.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I can share cooking Japanese foods. I used to work as a cook in a Japanese restaurant in Ireland. I know how to cook Japanese food well.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bulgaria, Canada, Lithuania, Philippines, Scotland, Switzerland, Taiwan, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

Germany, Ireland, Japan