Shinnenkai 2025!

January 31, 2025 / Upcoming Event, News

Friday, Jan 31st, 2024 | 19:00-21:00

Hybrid: In-person at Code Chrysalis Tokyo and Online via Zoom

Secure your seat by purchasing a ticket!

FEW members and community

Shinnenkai 2025 Event Recap

What you Missed… FEW Japan held the annual Shinnenkai Event 

FEW Japan held our annual Shinnenkai on Friday, January 31st, at the Code Chrysalis office in Roppongi. This gathering served as an important platform for FEW’s Corporate and Non-Profit Organizational Members, who served as panelists on an educational and impactful panel discussion. After networking over a delicious dinner catered by Kiwi Kitchen, participants listened as our esteemed panelists shared their strategies and insights regarding the implementation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, underlining the significance of incorporating diverse perspectives in the workplace and the benefits of doing so. The evening finished with an opportunity for more networking and a fun photo opportunity - check out the photos below!

 

Key Takeaways 

• In the context of today's complex political landscape, Japan stands poised to harness both challenges and opportunities. The nation can emerge as a leader, providing guidance and strength to others in the integration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the workplace. This proactive approach not only fosters a more inclusive environment but also sets a standard for global best practices in organizational culture.
• The implementation of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives within organizations has resulted in significant, measurable outcomes, as shared by our panelists. These outcomes include a notable increase in hiring rates, enhanced employee retention, and the cultivation of a more inclusive and safe work environment.
• The inclusion of diverse perspectives and experiences within organizations plays a crucial role in fostering innovation and enhancing customer service quality. By embracing a variety of viewpoints, businesses can leverage creativity and address customer needs more effectively, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and satisfaction.
• Diversity of perspectives and experience within organizations also contributes to increased innovation and overall better customer service. 
• In the long term, everyone gains from inclusive organizational structures that benefit employees. 

 

FEW Japan would like to sincerely thank our Corporate Sustaining Member panelists: Jill Hackney from Code Chrysalis & Robert Millar from Innovacious; our Organizational Member panelists: Kristine Ayuzawa from build+ & Tracey Northcott from Tokyo Family Stays; and our Nonprofit Organizational Member panelists: Namino Horii-Rivoal from Mimoza Ways, Kozue Oka from Mirai no Mori & Dr. Paul Bookman from the Glide Fund.

 

Resources

To find out more about any of the organizations our panelists belong to, we have included their websites for your reference; 

 

Corporate Sustaining Members

• Code Chrysalis
•  Innovacious

Organizational Members 

• build+ [formerly Wahl+Case]
• Tokyo Family Stays

Nonprofit Organizational Members 

• Mimoza Ways
• Mirai no Mori
• Glide Fund

 

We were so pleased to have so many members and friends of our community come out to support us at this all-genders-welcome event. It was clear from the dedication of our panelists that their work serves as both motivation and inspiration for us to be a part of the future we all want to see in Japan, because together, we can co-create the FEWture!  

Meet the Corporate Member Panelists!

Corporate Sustaining Members

Code Chrysalis: Jill Hackney

Jill started with Code Chrysalis in 2019. Prior to her role as Chief Strategy Officer, Jill was the Chief Technology Officer where she led the curriculum, product, and engineering functions of the company, with an emphasis on localization projects. 

To re-engineer herself as Chief Strategy Officer, Jill leads and sets the strategic direction for the business. She is passionate about global women’s issues and has broad international experience in Japan, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, and the UK. Jill is originally from the United States.

 

Innovacious: Robert Millar

Robert Millar is a Japan-based Website Specialist whose global company offers a full suite of website services for busy entrepreneurs and small business owners including all aspects of web design, management and optimization to achieve dramatic results for his clients. He’s founded several successful online and offline businesses, giving him unique insight into what really works to grow and develop businesses, especially in Japan.

Organizational Members

Tokyo Family Stays: Tracey Northcott

Tracey Northcott is a seasoned entrepreneur, hospitality expert, and engaging speaker, known for her passion for creating memorable guest experiences and empowering fellow hosts. With over a decade of hosting experience, Tracey has welcomed thousands of guests from around the world to her Tokyo-based properties, mastering the art of hospitality and building a thriving short-term rental business. Her approach combines a deep understanding of cultural nuances with a commitment to providing exceptional service, making her a sought-after mentor and consultant in the hosting community.

 

Tracey is the founder of Tokyo Family Stays, a boutique property management company that specializes in helping families and travelers find comfortable and unique accommodations in Japan. Her firsthand knowledge of navigating the challenges and opportunities in the short-term rental industry has made her a trusted voice for hosts looking to elevate their game.

 

Wahl + Case: Kristine Ayuzawa

Kristine has helped globally-minded professionals build meaningful careers for over 15 years. As Director of People Operations at Wahl+Case, she champions innovative hiring, learning, and performance strategies that align with company values and embody their one rule - “Always do what is in the best interest of your customers. Always.” 

Her experience spans recruitment, talent management, leadership, and sales operations. Originally from the United States, she holds a BS from Cornell University, an MS in Corporate Training & Communication from Purdue University, and is a Professional Certified Coach with the ICF.

Nonprofit Organizational Members

Glide Fund: Dr. Paul Bookman

As the father of two chronically ill and disabled children, Paul has spent the better part of 30 years dealing with hospitals, life threatening illnesses, and obstacles trying to make life easier for his two affected children. With the formation of the GLIDE Fund, established by his son Mark, he is now embarking on a new phase of his life. He plans to carry on the disability advocacy work of his son and daughter by making sure that the GLIDE Fund grows internationally. His hope, as a lasting tribute to his son’s passion and research, is to make the GLIDE Fund the leading grant making organization whose sole purpose is to aid disabled students traveling internationally to further their studies and understanding of the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).  

 

Mimoza Ways: Namino Horii-Rivoal

Namino Horii-Rivoal is the producer of the play MIMOZA WAYS which introduces 100 years of Japanese feminism. Also a Board Member of the Japanese Association of International Women's Rights and Advisor to the G7 Official Engagement Group, W7 (Women7) Namino Horii-Rivoal is also a co-translator of the book “Crocodiles: Everyday harassment and sexism lurking like crocodiles, and how to deal with them” (Kamogawa Publishing 2022)

 

Mirai no Mori: Kozue Oka

Born and raised in Japan, Kozue has always believed in the power of nature. After studying Environmental/Outdoor Education in Sweden for a year, she joined Mirai no Mori to share her experiences and to create an environment in which marginalized youth can thrive. She is committed to the mission and to creating a place where campers can call “home away from home.”

Friday, Jan 31st, 2025 | 19:00-21:00

Hybrid: In-person at Code Chrysalis Tokyo and Online via Zoom

Secure your seat by purchasing a ticket!

FEW members and community

The post 2025 Shinnenkai Event appeared first on FEW Japan.

By Sabrina Hassanali

Why would you give up your weekends for about 8 months, commit 200+ hours of your time, and coordinate with a group of 3–4 other working professionals to prepare a business plan for an existing business? Why have over 1,300 people participated in the Japan Market Expansion Competition (JMEC) over the lifetime of the program? Read the takeaways from FEW participants and get ready for the 2019/20 class!

Based on the commitment required, JMEC could be a tough sell. However, most participants rave about their experiences. Past JMEC participants have made lifelong friends, expanded their business networks and connections, launched new careers, and developed applicable new skills.

The JMEC program, often called a ‘mini-MBA,’ includes theoretical and practical components. Participants begin in the late Fall with eight full Saturdays of interactive lectures covering marketing, finance, and doing business in Japan. Then, at the beginning of the next calendar year, JMEC participants enter a four and a half month “hands-on” component.  Participants are put into groups of 4-5 people and assigned the task of researching and writing a business plan for a selected JMEC client. The teams work on the weekends and evenings completing research and writing the plan. At the end of the process, each team submits their business plan and is required to give a 30-minute presentation before a panel of judges. The panelists comprise  prominent  Tokyo business people. Both the presentation and business plan are judged on realistic business criteria. 

The 25th JMEC program wrapped up on June 5, 2019, with an awards ceremony at the Tokyo American Club, where the winners received roundtrip tickets to Europe. Two-thirds of this year’s participants were women and 14 nationalities were represented in the entire JMEC class.

Check out JMEC’s article on this year’s winners here!

Strong ‘Team FEW’ Rocking the Class

Every year, FEW awards one full scholarship and three half scholarships to our members to support their participation in the program. This year, in addition to the four scholarship recipients, a couple of other FEW members also took part in JMEC.

FEW members comprised an ambitious and motivated bunch. During one of the finance lessons, all the participants were given a project called ‘The Lemonade Stand.’ They were asked to develop a plan for a profitable (yatai-style) stand selling lemonade and justify the financial assumptions represented in a finance spreadsheet. FEW Members formed one group and completed the project by coordinating their schedules over the winter holidays. In the end, “Team FEW”  presented the best justified hypothetical lemonade stand and won the competition.

The winning FEW Lemonade Stand Team, from left to right: Kyoko Nagano, Gizem Sakamaki, Lindsey Rogerson, Sabrina Hassanali, and Marisa Cassidy with Chuck Olson – a facilitator for the financials class.

Connecting with the Local Business Community

FEW asked the scholarship recipients for their thoughts on the JMEC program. Across the board, participants were  happy with their takeaways and achievements. According to our FEW members, the JMEC program is remarkable because of the support it has from the local business community. Expats, entrepreneurs, and professionals from various industries impart their valuable first-hand knowledge during the classes.

“It is a fantastic way to meet the business community in Japan. JMEC lecturers, participants, and supporters are happy to share their insights from hands-on experience.”

Sabrina Hassanali, who received the full FEW scholarship

“Our mentor and financial advisor were really important to our team. They helped us deliver a great product,” Gizem Sakamaki, who runs her own business in Japan, added.

Producing a business plan for actual businesses adds a real-life challenge where participants need to coordinate with their clients and team members. Navigating the quirks of Japanese markets can be a challenge, but the final business plans are used by JMEC clients to guide business strategy in Japan.

“Expect the unexpected. Regardless of the situation, the key is to get committed to the project.”

Kyoko Nagano, entrepreneur and Special Events Director at FEW

“Everyone in JMEC that I’ve talked to has had a powerful story of change throughout their careers, and I’ve become so inspired to take on something new,” Lindsay Rogerson summed up her takeaways from JMEC.

What is JMEC?

The Japan Market Expansion Competition (JMEC), often called a ‘mini-MBA,’ is a business training program in Japan designed to foster the development of foreign businesses (project clients) in Japan while strengthening the business skills of up-and-coming executives (participants).

Background

Initiated by the Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan in 1993, JMEC is based on the New South Wales Enterprise Workshop. Currently, the program is supported by 18 foreign chambers of commerce in Japan, including the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Britain, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland (represented by Enterprise Ireland), Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, and Switzerland. The program also receives corporate sponsorship from members of the business community within Japan.

Scholarships Available for the 2019/20 Class!

FEW has partnered with JMEC to offer one full scholarship and two partial scholarships for FEW Members for the coming 2019/20 class! The scholarships are allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Interested?

• Get more details on the JMEC website
• Reach out to our Sponsorship Director at sponsorship@fewjapan.com when you are ready to sign up.

The post Lifelong Takeaways from the JMEC Program appeared first on FEW Japan.

Inspired by the entrepreneurial spirit of FEW, Pilates-Me was founded on the philosophy of fitness, innovation and community. The founder Cecilia Zhang saw an opportunity to bring cutting edge proprietary global techniques in Barre, Pilates & Piloxing to Tokyo, and help busy women to stay active, look sculpted and feel strong.

Pilates-Me offers group and private classes in Azabujuban and Akasaka studio locations. Their mission is to provide effective, fun workouts specifically targeted for female bodies so you can feel empowered and informed in your journey to wellness! Cecilia will also provide her special tips on health, wellness and beauty via the bi-weekly newsletter to members.

What would be your number one recommendation for people who want to start their own business?

Have the ‘end goal’ in mind before you start – make sure you understand the key objectives you want to achieve, whether it’s financial or personal.

What are the 3 essentials for running a business in your opinion?

• Discipline – doing the things you don’t like doing
• Time management – allocate time according to priorities defined by business objectives
• Emotional energy – spend downtime to recharge, re-group and reflect on your progress celebrating the small wins!

Stay hungry and never accept failure as a permanent state, but as a stepping stone to success.

Cecilia Zhang, Founder of Pilates-Me

Who inspired you on your journey?

Alex Morrow and Victoria Close from FEW’s Start-up Club. They gave me encourage, advice, and a brought a community of female entrepreneurs together to share the ups and downs of the journey.

What is your favorite quote or story when it comes to business?

“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”  – Steve Jobs, Co-Founder and CEO, Apple

What are your top resources when it comes to running your business on an everyday basis?

Have a good accountant  – this is really important! Find also a good coach, build peer networks and seek mentors from various industries to challenge and broaden your views.

What is your main focus for the next year?

Accelerating the growth of the business, continuing to build our client base, refining the product offerings and actively look for partnership opportunities.

The post Sponsor Spotlight: Pilates-Me appeared first on FEW Japan.

A word that holds much meaning for so many people.

Blu Jam Cafe has called Tokyo home for two years. Chef Kamil Majer, founder of the original Los Angeles branch crafted a menu and philosophy truly fit for anyone. It adorns options not so easily found in the city – vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, to mention a few.

Blu Jam Cafe Japan aims to bring a small slice of home to Tokyo. The Blu Jam staff culture is always warm and they are often connecting with guests as if they’ve known them forever. Casual, friendly, and inviting; Blu Jam Cafe Japan brings a touch of West Coast to Daikanyama.

As we jump into the new year, we wanted to hear from Blu Jam Cafe on their success – establishing not only a fabulous customer base in Japan but also creating a wonderful atmosphere for their employees – and in such a short time!

What would be your number one recommendation for people who want to start their own business?

In starting a business, we feel it is paramount to understand and immerse ourselves in the community at large.

What are the 3 essentials for running a business in your opinion?

I would say the three essentials are…

• Networking
• Building partnerships
• Being open for new opportunities

Keeping the lights on means getting to know people. Networking and business go hand-in-hand, and in two years we’ve formed partnerships with several organizations as a venue for events and gatherings. Tokyo is home to 9.2 million people and everyone you meet can potentially open paths to different opportunities.

What are your top resources when it comes to running your business on an everyday basis?

Perhaps the most indispensable resource we have at Blu Jam Cafe is our staff. People that love what they do show it in their work, through their work. From our chefs, servers to our managers, we do our best to share our piece of home with everyone who walks through our doors.

The post Sponsor Spotlight: Blu Jam Cafe appeared first on FEW Japan.

Women’s contribution to the economy, in general, has never been put into a greater focus until recently.

According to a report of McKinsey Global Institute featured in a news article by CNN, it estimates that economies in the Asia-Pacific region could boost their collective GDP by $4.5 trillion by 2025 if they improve gender equality.

However, women in many countries in the Asia Pacific face vastly unequal treatment at work and in society compared with men. It further stressed that “From an economic perspective, trying to grow without enabling the full potential of women is like fighting with one hand tied behind one’s back”.

Understanding the significant impact of women’s contribution and the need to assert her role and take a seat at the table, eCornell, Cornell University’s online professional executive education specifically designed Women in Leadership certificate. It examines the issues facing women in leadership positions and offers strategies for handling them. The Women in Leadership program include how women can best negotiate in the workplace, ways to effectively provide both positive and negative feedback and how they can strengthen their emotional intelligence to stand out as a leader among both men and women.

In collaboration between FEW and Genashtim, the exclusive partner of eCornell outside North America, FEW members and affiliates can now avail any of the eCornell course or certificate and enjoy 30% discount.

• Collaborative online learning
• Relevant knowledge based on industry
• Lead by experienced instructors and industry experts
• Renowned faculties and professional development programs
• Interact with peers from a diverse professional background

The post Sponsor Spotlight: eCornell appeared first on FEW Japan.

That’s why we are committed to not only providing good coffee but also ensure that 100% (yes, you read that correct) of all proceeds- the full cost of the coffee purchase- is returned to Malawi as a donation to fund school feeding programmes for kids attending nursery & primary schools in impoverished areas.

So we’re not really only selling coffee. The Warm Hearts Coffee Club also poses a challenge to people as to the choices they make in life- starting with the choice to drink “good” coffee- grown organically, freshly-roasted/shipped same day that invests in the country of origin’s future- it’s children.

Doing Charity by Doing Business

The inspiration for our coffee project came from lessons learned the hard way. In 2016 we established a Japanese NPO for the purpose of supporting school meal programmes in Malawi. We quickly learned that the traditional charity model calling on people to part with their cash was not winning enough people to our cause. Our own experiences in Malawi had centred around social enterprise so when we worked out that coffee was already Malawi’s greatest export to Japan we decided to give it a go and recruited several corporate sponsors to help defray costs while we pursued a 100% donation model.

We grow our business by giving

As a community with a cause we learned you had to give before you get and while at first this might seem counter-intuitive has helped us focus on partnerships with like-minded communities such as FEW for whom we are always happy to provide our coffee at events and gatherings. In the same way we have also signed up numerous Japanese causes & charities to whom we have an affiliate relatinship with. They earn 10% of all coffee sales and we still commit to a 100% donation for the kids in Malawi. Now that’s what they call a win-win-win! If you want to know how that is even possible join our community and we’ll happily tell you our secrets

Favourite quote

“With enough coffee anything is possible”

Top Resources for our business

Our lives are made infinitely easier by partnering with a 100-year old artisan coffee roasting house in Tsukishima – without their know-how we would have zapped the goodness out of our coffee at the roasting stage. For a more hi-tec resource the affiliate plug-in on our WordPress site which tracks online orders made by our online partners and spits out the commission reports is saving us endless hours of strife.

What would be your number one recommendation for people who want to start their own business?

To make the main thing the main thing!

The post Sponsor Spotlight: Warm Hearts Coffee Club appeared first on FEW Japan.

Located just three minutes from Roppongi Hills, Club 360 is an English speaking fitness club with a 5-star fully equipped training zone consisting of kettlebells, TRX, battle ropes and more. Our exceptionally trained team of personal trainers, physiotherapists, and massage therapists tailor their services to get you the results you want so that you can be functioning at your optimal potential.

To get a taste of the Club 360 experience, we are offering FEW members 50% off on their initial personal training session at a price of ¥5,400 with an added bonus of trying any one group class for free. Check us out on our Facebook page too and see how we are much more than just a gym but also a community that “changes lives through health and fitness”.

Ditch the boring meetings, come exercise your body and mind at Club 360, and make a few friends while you are at it!

Even though Club 360 is a fantastic gym, it’s also a thriving family business. As so many FEW Members have entrepreneurial spirits, we’ve asked the owner a few questions about business life.

1 ) What would be your number one recommendation for people who want to start their own business?

Taking the first step can be daunting, but if you have done your research, have the resources and believe in your vision, you are already most of the way there. My main recommendation is to trust yourself and go at it wholeheartedly.

2) What are the 3 essentials for running a business in your opinion?

1. Making sure you have passion for the business and what it stands for. You will need to put in a lot of energy and possibly time into your business, so it’s important it’s something you are passionate about.
2. Make sure you have done your research. Now, most industries are more dynamic than ever and what may have been a good business plan last year may not be today. Different concepts and approaches also work better in different countries. Make sure you are up to date in your field and research what methods work in the country you are in.
3. Surround yourself with good people. When we started Tokyo Fitness (Club 360) we knew nothing about setting up a business in Japan, accountancy or even marketing. We knew we had a good concept and service that we were passionate about, so we reached out to people in other professions to help us make our goals a reality. It’s great to brush up on all areas of the business, but knowing when you need a professional can save you time and money in the long run.

3) Who inspired you on your journey?

We are a family business. My brother-in law, sister and wife are all also involved in Club 360 and their belief in what we do is my major inspiration to continue to push forward.

The post Sponsor Spotlight: Club 360 appeared first on FEW Japan.

Who are we? A little introduction…

Julie Mangen is a physiotherapist from Luxembourg who moved to Tokyo last September. She has two boys and loves being outdoors and spending quality time with family and friends. Her favorite sports are horseback riding and martial arts and of course also Mom in Balance workouts.

Tanja Kinnen is a former communications and marketing professional, also from Luxembourg and has been in Tokyo for over 2 years. She has a 7 month old daughter. She loves outdoor activities, sports, traveling as well as spending time with family and friends. Her favorite sports include hiking, climbing, swimming and Mom in Balance workouts, who would have guessed!

Together with our trainer, Olga Grant, we currently offer 7 workouts per week in 3 different locations: Tokyo Midtown Park, Futako-Tamagawa and Yoyogi Park. Find the complete schedule here.

What are the Mom in Balance workouts like?

Mom in Balance offers three types of workouts:

• MPower – a total body workout for all women who want to be fit and in shape
• Pregnant – workouts for all moms to be, and
• Back in Shape – a postpartum recovery workout.

The workouts are all held outdoors year round and can attend regardless of your sports background or physical fitness. They are designed by a professional team and adapted to all levels, so everyone can join!

The workouts are a combination of strength exercises, cardio and relaxation and are adapted according to the participants: more challenging for the MPower ladies, completely safe and focused on maintaining the fitness for pregnant women, and working on the recovery after birth for the Back in Shape women. The workouts have been designed in collaboration with gynecologists and pelvic floor specialists and are specially tailored for the pregnant, recovering and fit body. On top of that, you get to train with like-minded women and can exchange experiences about the challenges of finding the right balance between family, friends, work and your full agenda.

Our mission really is to support women in feeling physically and mentally strong, building up a sports routine in their daily lives and finding the right balance between family, friends and work. We thus aim to offer more than just a workout and that’s why organise nights out, coffee get togethers and even have a babysitter during our weekday workouts (for a small contribution of 500¥ per child), so that the participants can fully enjoy their workout without worrying about their little one.

We look forward to welcoming you at one of our workouts and please get in touch via tokyo@mominbalance.com if you have any questions!

The post Strategic Partner Spotlight: Mom in Balance appeared first on FEW Japan.

The key to every organization’s success is its people. This philosophy underpins our partnerships with clients in Japan and across Asia. We offer consulting, training and coaching services on inclusive leadership, team-building, communication, diversity and inclusion, facilitation skills and more! We are passionate about empowering females and are proud to support FEW in helping women reach their full potential. We offer FEW members special rates on women’s leadership programs, Lumina Spark certification and our new facilitative skills training.

I am one of the Japan Lumina Learning Partners. My career in theater performance, teaching and learning & development underpins my work in organizational change, leadership development and team-building.

• What would be your number one recommendation for people who want to start their own business?

Don’t give up! Two years after I started my business, I began to think that I had made a terrible mistake. I researched why people fail in business. I expected to find answers like, “you can’t succeed in business without being highly disciplined and reliable,” (qualities that I lack.) To my surprise, I found the main reason is simply that people give up too quickly. So, I thought, “I just have to keep going.” The rest is history!

• What are the 3 essentials for running a business in your opinion?

1. Invest in really knowing yourself and your top strengths. Be clear on what you are not good at and where you need help.
2. Don’t be afraid to take risks. Trying things out, whether the results are successful or not, is the quickest and best way to learn and grow.
3. Aim high. The seek practical paths to reach your goals.

• What are your top resources when it comes to running your business on an everyday basis? (This could be books, apps, programs, coaches, training programs or anything else that helps them)

My team – They support me in the areas where I am less effective. So, I can focus on my strengths and aim for bigger picture business goals.

Podcasts – I listen to podcasts every day, mainly from the BBC and NPR. It’s a relaxing way to keep learning and they help me stay on top of the latest industry trends.

Clients and colleagues – Every conversation I have with clients helps me to deepen my understanding of their challenges. Exchanging ideas with colleagues in the same industry always inspires me and gives me diverse and new approaches.

Stay in touch and follow us on Facebook (@luminalearningjapan) for updates and offers or contact us at tokyo@luminalearning.com

The post Strategic Partner Spotlight: Lumina Learning Japan Partner, Elizabeth Handover appeared first on FEW Japan.

Another aspect of our work has been to introduce Japanese culture experiences to international visitors. We provide lectures and experiences based on themes unique to Japan, creating an in-depth cultural experience that allows visitors to discover Japan in a special way. We have served clients from various MBA programs, corporate incentive programs, and embassies.

The inspiration for our work comes from the events that deeply affected Japan on March 11, 2011 and the dislocation and concern experienced by international residents in Japan.

What are your top resources when it comes to running your organization on an everyday basis?

We do a lot of ground research to understand what the true needs of international residents are. In addition, as working women wearing many hats, we use the Timetree app https://timetreeapp.com/ to organize our schedules. We also use online meeting platforms like zoom and skype to organize meetings online.

What is your main focus for this year?

Our main focus for this year is to expand our Life-skills workshops series (Earthquake Preparedness, Healthcare in Japan, Eating in Japan, and Personal and Business Etiquette in Japan) to corporate/organizational clients as a full package. This workshop series was developed with a grant by Minato-ku this year, and has received great feedback. By going through the four workshops, participants can really have a solid understanding of life in Japan and are able to settle down into Japanese life comfortably. We are also working on creating online content to make our workshops accessible to the wider public.

If you could meet with one famous woman, who would that be and why would you like to meet her?

Sadako Ogata, Former High Commissioner for Refugees at the United Nations.

Find out more about WaNavi Japan at their website here and on Facebook here. Check out two of WaNavi’s upcoming events: Hinamatsuri and Tea Ceremony Family Workshop on March 3 and an Earthquake Preparedness Workshop on March 8.

And join us for WaNavi’s Japanese Business Etiquette Workshop on April 4.

The post Strategic Partner Spotlight: WaNavi Japan appeared first on FEW Japan.