Cross-Cultural Communications & Strategy Specialist

Matthew E. Carpenter

Phone: 564-***-**** Email: **********@************.*** www.magmafareast.com www.linkedin.com/in/magmafareast

Qualifications Summary

Pressure-tested professional operating at the intersection of government, finance, media, and corporate environments. Produced multiple front-page scoops as a United Nations reporter, ranked at the top in sales and customer satisfaction at Wells Fargo Bank, and was entrusted with sensitive communication work for U.S. federal agencies. U.S. citizen with deep cross-border experience in both the American and Japanese professional ecosystems.

Professional Experience

MAGMA FAR EAST – Clinton, WA

Principal, Eurasian Strategy Consulting Dec 2016 – Present

Provide communication and consulting services for Japanese and Western organizations. Clients include executive teams of multinationals, law firms, and NGOs. Advise on cross-cultural negotiation, communication, and geopolitical analysis.

HONDA – Clinton, WA

Simultaneous Interpreter Jan 2025 – Jul 2025

Interpreted early morning remote meetings between Honda’s teams in America, Japan, and India.

SOS INTERNATIONAL LLC – New York, NY

Japanese Interpreter Apr 2018 – Nov 2021

Provided simultaneous and consecutive Japanese interpretation for the U.S. Department of Justice and Homeland Security.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE (CENSUS BUREAU) – New York, NY

Japanese Linguist Jan 2020 – Aug 2020

Reviewed and edited Japanese translations for the 2020 U.S. Census. Communicated with the Japanese-speaking public and ensured linguistic accuracy of official publications.

CYRACOM – Queens, NY

Consecutive Interpreter Mar 2016 – Sep 2017

Interpreted in law, finance, and medicine, among others. Consistently ranked among the top interpreters companywide. Received multiple client recognitions, including from Walt Disney Inc.

THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN – New York, NY

U.N. Reporter May 2013 – May 2015

Reported exclusively from the United Nations for Japan’s most influential newspaper (26 million readership). Secured front-page scoops including exclusive access to a confidential U.N. sanctions report. Built relationships with diplomats and international officials.

WELLS FARGO BANK – Seattle, WA

Teller January 2006 – July 2009

Delivered top-tier performance at Wells Fargo’s flagship Seattle Main branch, located in the core of Seattle’s financial district. Ranked #11 in sales and #2 in customer service among 850 peers. Selected by regional management to represent Wells Fargo in meetings with Japanese professionals and visiting Japanese bank executives, reflecting institutional trust in both performance and cross-cultural communication.

WRITER, TRANSLATOR, AND EDITOR – New York, NY

Freelance 2004 – Present

Edited Japanese literary translations including The Easy Life in Kamusari and A Woman of Pleasure, novels translated by a leading Japanese literary translator. Conducted transcription and accuracy verification work for literary translators and The Yomiuri Shimbun. My translation of Hayami Shun’s short story “The Demise of Yoshitatsu” published by Kurodahan Press. Geopolitical analysis published by Stratfor and Real Clear Defense.

Education

M.A., International Policy (Security) — Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey, CA, 2012 — Merit Scholarship

B.A., Law, Politics & Economy — University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2004 — Dean’s List

Studies in Law — Auditing Student at Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan, 2002–2003

Educated in Japan (K–12) — Japanese, American, and international schools with native-level Japanese instruction.

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