Osaka Mix - Naomi Osaka is a Case Study in Soft Power

 

The story of Naomi Osaka's rise is a case study of an athlete who has found her voice in the world as both a fierce competitor and a passionate activist. She is a multi-tasking juggernaut who has embraced the challenge of speaking out against racism in tennis and beyond.

She is a role model who refuses to let her feminism become watered down. She is a global citizen who understands how the power of sports can be used to bring people together from all over the world. She is a mixed-race woman who represents contemporary Japan. And she is a champion who has a rare combination of grace, talent and grit.

When she first burst onto the international tennis scene in 2018, it was not only because she had upset a defending champion in her first Grand Slam final but because she beat her childhood idol Serena Williams. Osaka's candid approach to the media captivated fans and propelled her into superstardom. She was Japan's first Grand Slam winner in two consecutive years and, as far as we know, the country's first mixed-race female tennis star to win a major.

But despite her success, Osaka has been anything but perfect. Her public persona has often been the source of controversy, whether it was her halting acceptance speech at Indian Wells or her blunt reaction to a question about her feelings after a loss. Her honesty has rubbed some the wrong way and she's had to face criticism for her body image.

Nevertheless, she has maintained a sense of 大阪　ミックス humor and a desire to remain accessible to her fans. She's rejected the prestige-for-prestige's sake endorsement deals that many of her peers embrace and forged equity partnerships with brands like BodyArmor sportwater, Airbnb and PlayStation. She has even taken on fashion collaborations with Comme des Garçons and Adeam, labels that are coveted by Gen Z but not usually seen at country club shops.

Osaka mix is a fascinating look at Osaka's journey from country girl to world-class competitor and, most importantly, her search for her place in the world. The documentary reveals a complicated, driven and thoughtful young woman who has found her own style of soft power through tennis, activism and the creation of new projects that empower women in sports and beyond.

Osaka is the second largest city in Japan and is rich in tradition but also has a vibrant modern music scene that includes J-pop, dance music and more. It's a city where you can find cosmopolitan hipness in the glitzy Umeda entertainment district or get elbowed in Namba department stores by ruthless housewives. And no trip to Osaka is complete without a taste of the famous local street food takoyaki or okonomiyaki, both of which are best served with a squirt of mayonnaise. You can try making your own at home or visit one of the many Osaka takoyaki stands that dot the streets of this bustling metropolis.