President of MIE Racing, and a leading figure in motorsports, Midori Moriwaki is a globe-trotting business leader. In honor of Women’s History Month, we talked with her about her roots, her success in the world of motorsports, and what she hopes to do for the next generation of women in her industry.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Midori Moriwaki. I am the president of MIE RACING, based in Prague, Czech Republic, where I manage my own competitive motorsports team. I have been working in motorsports for a long time, since 2003. I led the World Superbike Championship (World SBK) planning about four years ago. I’ve been entering races with Honda Racing since 2019.
More women work in motorsports, but it’s still a predominantly male industry. What led you to start a career in this industry?
My family has been involved with motorsports for three generations, so it was only natural for me to be a part of it. My grandfather, Hideo Yoshimura, nicknamed “Pops,” was a motorcycle tuner and founder of Yoshimura Japan, a motorcycle parts and accessories manufacturer. My father, Mamoru Moriwaki, was a former motorcycle racer and inventor. He founded Moriwaki Engineering, a motorcycle and automobile parts and accessories manufacturer.
You come from a motorsports family, and you worked at Moriwaki Engineering with your father. You founded your own company, MIE RACING. What do you find attractive about the work you are involved in?
Human growth is about thinking – and being – on the front lines. To suffer and face challenges that aren’t easy, but to still prosper through planning and executing, motivates me. Rather than thinking about what I find attractive in my work, I see my job as one of bearing responsibilities. People’s lives are in my care, so it’s the kind of work that doesn’t allow me to cut corners. When people hear that I work in motorsports, they think of something glamorous, but in reality, it’s not like that. My work involves meticulous planning, but I interact with many people, which is really important to me.
With your current career, what do you value in your work?
Tireless determination. Starting a World SBK Championship or managing a team as a Japanese woman is not easy. Since starting this project, I’ve faced countless difficulties. But I’ve maintained a strong spirit and tireless determination, and it’s a challenge I have taken on for myself.
Who inspired you?
As I mentioned earlier, I grew up in a motorsports family. Watching my father and grandfather in action greatly influenced my work today.
What goals and aspirations do you have for the future?
No matter how big or small the issue, I would like to do what I can to help others. I want to be present and actively support women who cannot take that first step; I want to be there for them and walk right beside them. That’s what I hope to be.
What advice do you have for the women reading this?Ā
Regardless of gender, I would like everyone to follow their path in life. Life is to be lived for no one else but yourself. But, I would like people to live with respect for others because showing respect for others is also an essential form of self-care.
