The vision of the YWCA of Japan is “A society where women exercise leadership, and where human rights, peace and environment is valued”.
Women from different background work together at the YWCA of Japan as board members and staff. Each woman brings together their unique gifts to enhance women’s leadership, forming principles and agreements through discussions among diverse women.
Board members
- Name
- Sayaka Higuchi/ President
- Name
- Mari Sasabe/ Vice President
- Local association
- Osaka YWCA
- Name
- Harumi Niikura
- Local association
- Nagoya YWCA
- Favorites
- Beads crafting
- Self- introduction
- I have worked with the YWCA since I was a junior high school student. In my school years, I received lots of inspiration from YWCA’s international programs and getting to know people from diverse background. Currently I organize peace study programs in Nagoya YWCA with young people, such as study tours. My professional work is a high school teacher. My experience in the YWCA is proving to be very valuable there too.
- Work with YWCA
- Work on youth, peace and human rights
- Name
- Aki Yoshida/ Board Secretary
- Local association
- Sapporo YWCA
- Favorites
- Sweets, chorus, Harry Potter
- Self- introduction
- I joined the YWCA, hoping to be part of an international movement while living far from Tokyo. Thanks to the YWCA network, I have had the chance to participate in programs in the national and international level, gain experiences and widen my views. After joining the National Board, I have worked with the two central issues of the YWCA’s work for peace: the Japanese constitution and “nuclear”.
- Work with YWCA
- Internatinal programs, work for peace, newsletter editing team
- Name
- Akane Shinoda
- Name
- Mio Kokubu
- Name
- Riri Nakaya
- Name
- Momo Fukuda
- Local association
- Kobe YWCA
- Favorites
- Eating together with others, shogi
- Self- introduction
- I became involved as a student when I volunteered for a science experiment class at Kobe YWCA. I feel the potential of the YWCA’s nature which promotes both educational approach and activism. Through working as a board member and by creating opportunities for youth to practice their skills, I am creating a space for young people to get involved in the process of social development.
- Work with YWCA
- Japan-Korea Youth Conference
- Name
- Noriko Kiyozuka
- Local association
- Yokohama YWCA
- Favorites
- Travelling, eating out for lunch
- Self- introduction
- I have worked as a volunteer with the YWCA since joining Osaka YWCA’s “Cere for the Heart” program and spending time with children in Kobe, after the Hanshin Earthquake. After being involved with camp programs, programs for young working women, outreach committee of the YWCA of Japan and board of trustees of Yokohama YWCA, I am now working with young women learning about gender issues.
- Work with YWCA
- Camp, working women, gender issues
- Name
- Yuko Nomura
- Name
- Satomi Masui
- Name
- Emiko Matsubara
- Name
- Akari Ogo
- Name
- Izumi Matsuo
Staff
- Name
- Chie Yamamoto/Executive Trustee
- Favorites
- Travelling, watching Korean TV drama
- Self- introduction
- Former staff member at Osaka YWCA, currently Secretary General at Kyoto YWCA, Representative of “Calluna”, an independence assistance home run by Kyoto YWCA
- Name
- Mikako Nishihara/ Managing Trustee
- Favorites
- Redecorating rooms, elaborate holiday dishes, receiving guests, bonfires, and plant hanaikada (helwingia japonica).
- Self- introduction
- I am in charge of human resource development, finance, and general affairs, and have been a staff member of the YWCA for almost 30 years. While every day is a training phase for me, it is a very rewarding work. My fellow YWCA members, who express their opinions clearly and with compassion and humor, are role models for me of the kind of “woman” I want to be when I grow older.
- Name
- Akiko Makuya/Managing Trustee
- Favorites
- Beer in summer, Pain de Mie carré from parigot. meals while traveling, preamble of the Constitution of Japan
- Self- introduction
- After working in a financial institution during the “bubble economy”, I travelled around North Africa and South Asia, interned at an NGO, and worked at an intermediary support NPO before joining Osaka YWCA and YWCA of Japan to work with program planning and management. My passion for the Constitution of Japan emerged during my time in Osaka YWCA; my favorite article is Article 13 which stipulates respected for all people as individuals and the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. My favorite pastime is traveling, and my special skill is swimming. My character is easygoing, and occasionally impatient.
- Name
- Kazumi Usui
- Favorites
- Talking with various people, spending time alone, singing, doing handicrafts, fair trade chocolates, etc.
- Self- introduction
- I’ve been moving around so much, both workplace and where I live, that last time I counted, I had moved home 14 times. After experiencing a variety of occupations and working at the Kyoto YWCA for two years, I started work at the YWCA of Japan, where I am in charge of planning and running various programs. In private life, I continue to raise awareness about gender and sexuality in various fields.
- 名前
- Tsuruyama
- Favorites
- Dancing, music, pumpkins
- Self-introduction
- I majored in social welfare in university and am have a broad interest in international communication, multicultural co-existence, community welfare, and related social issues. I aspire to build my life-work around this area, and came upon the YWCA while searching for a job for this purpose. I hope to work together with you towards a society where each person can shine in their own way!
- Name
- Hata
- Favorites
- Nature, animals (dogs, frogs, birds), reading (Shinichi Hoshi, etc.), art
- Self- introduction
- I am interested in gender and LGBTQI+ issues, and am passionate about speaking up for those who are in vulnerable situations, those who are struggling with stereotypes required by society, and those who are in the process of searching for themselves.
- Name
- Sumie Ogasawara
- Favorites
- Stationary, tools, reading
- Self- introduction
- I have been working for the YWCA of Japan since 2011, I am currently in charge of international relations and public relations. I find it very stimulating to learn new ideas and perspectives from the people I meet at work, and to watch people growing and gaining strength through activities at the YWCA.
- Name
- Takishita (Finance officer)
- Favorites
- Cooking sweets, cooking and eating delicious food, humming, figure-skating
- Self- introduction
- As a child, I participated in various programs of Osaka YWCA. Now that I have become involved with the YWCA again, I have learned many things from the people I meet here, and their serious way of life striving for a better society.
- Name
- Saori
- Favorites
- Finding good food, media communications, listening to learn about others’ values and passion
- Self- introduction
- With the YWCA of Japan, I am responsible for delivering the YWCA’s official newsletter to external audiences as a PR advocacy medium. I believe that simply telling people what you want to tell them doesn’t reach them. With this in mind, I have been working through trial and error with the help of others. I would be more than glad to hear your comments and opinions.
- 名前
- Ozaki Yukiko
- Favorites
- Cooking and eating delicious things, skiing, picture books
- Self-introduction
- I work to realize a safe space in Sendai.
- In charge of:
- general affairs
