2025 Author Talk and Signing: Meet Real-Life Biri Gal Sayaka Kobayashi (Talk About Her Life, Career, Writing & Motivation)NEW

Japan Society is honored to welcome author, speaker, columnist and entrepreneur Sayaka Kobayashi for a special talk and signing. Kobayashi is the real-life inspiration behind the 2015 Japanese movie Flying Colors (Biri Gal), which is based on her journey from a troubled middle school student on the verge of expulsion to passing one of Japan’s most difficult university entrance exams. Now, on the 10th anniversary of this beloved film, Japan Society presents Kobayashi for a talk about her life, career, writing and motivation.

Date
Feb 27, 2025

Time
7:00 pm

About Sayaka Kobayashi
Struggling with poor academic performance throughout school, Kobayashi’s story took a turn when she met a dedicated tutor, Nobutaka Tsubota. Under his mentorship, she dedicated herself to an intense study regimen for a year and a half, and against all odds, she succeeded in securing admission to the prestigious Keio University.

Her remarkable transformation was chronicled in a bestselling nonfiction book written by Tsubota, The Story of a Gal at the Bottom of her School Year who Raised her Standard Score by 40 Points in One Year and Got Accepted into Keio University (Gakunen Biri no Gyaru ga 1 nen de Hensachi o 40 Agete Keio Daigaku ni Geneki Gokaku Shita Hanash. This book would sell over a million copies and lead to the film directed by Nobuhiro Doi and starring Kasumi Arimura.

Japan Society presented the New York Premiere of Flying Colors as part of the 2016 JAPAN CUTS: Festival of New Japanese Film, where it won the festival’s Audience Award.

Since her success, Kobayashi has challenged assumptions that her achievement was due to innate talent. Determined to uncover the science behind motivation, she earned a Master’s Degree in Cognitive Science from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2024.

Now back in Japan, Kobayashi is a sought-after speaker and writer, and she encourages her audiences to take risks and embrace failure as part of growth. She recently founded a pioneering English-learning business designed to empower individuals and help them build confidence.

As part of her talk at Japan Society, she’ll discuss her new book, How I Fell in Love with Learning.

About Her Book
How I Fell in Love with Learning was published by Sanctuary Publishing in Japan in July 2024. Sayaka Kobayashi unpacks her success story through the lens of cognitive science, drawing on insights gained at Columbia University. The book explores three essential elements for effective learning: strong motivation, the right strategies and study methods and a supportive environment that sustains the learner’s enthusiasm. By focusing on these key factors, How I Fell in Love with Learning offers a practical guide to study techniques for anyone. The book is accessible to everyone from middle school students to parents and educators, providing tools to improve academic performance alongside guidance on fostering a love of learning and confidence-building.

Autographs and Book Sales
Attendees of Japan Society’s Sayaka Kobayashi talk and signing will be able to purchase copies of How I Fell in Love with Learning at the event or bring books from home for a signing session following the author’s talk. Please note How I Fell in Love with Learning is only available in Japanese.

Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Additional support for cultural programs is provided by an anonymous donor and the Sandy Heck Lecture Fund.