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
- Local association
- Yokohama YWCA
- Name
- Mari Sasabe/ Vice President
- Local association
- Osaka YWCA
- Favorites
- Nature and natural food, picture books, interacting with people, enjoying various sounds
- Self-introduction
- Living in Fiji for a little more than 3 years in the 1990s changed my views towards nature and humans. Now I am living a “half-farming-half-X” lifestyle in a rural area for 20 years. While raising chicken and growing organic vegetables, I am engaged with various activities such as combating global warming, picture books, baby songs etc, as well as making some income as a private tutor.
- 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
- Local association
- Kyoto YWCA
- Favorites
- Reading, poplar and metasequoia trees
- Self-introduction
- I did some brief work with the “Asian People Together” project in Kyoto YWCA, then participated as a Japanese language volunteer, as well as taking part in organizing bazzars, activities for peace, cafe, etc. I came to learn about social issues after beginning to work with the YWCA, and feel strenghened by being around and spending time with people who are selflessly striving to tackle such issues.
- Work with YWCA
- Outreach, activities to create various “spaces” and running the Kyoto YWCA cafe
- Name
- Mio Kokubu
- Local association
- Okinawa YWCA
- Favorites
- Baking bread, painting, writing poetry
- Self-introduction
- I have lived in Okinawa for almost 8 years. I provide study support in an elementary school on weekdays; on Saturdays, I am an apprentice captain on a protest boat in Henoko bay; on Sundays, I am a pastor at a baptist church. Learning femnist theology is my life work.
- Work with YWCA
- I launched the youth division of Okinawa YWCA “Lupinus”, and take the role of facitilator of the “research team for the affected groups”
- Name
- Riri Nakaya
- Local association
- Yokohama YWCA
- Favorites
- Exploring town, traveling the imaginary world, watching sports, beer
- Self-introduction
- I participated in Tokyo YWCA as a youth member, and resumed my involvement with the YWCA after a long pause, now working with Yokohama YWCA. I strive to always think “What will we do from now?” in any situation and at any time, and to work with my peers to put the thoughts into action. For me, YWCA is a place that makes that possible.
- Work with YWCA
- Running the cafe, work on political participation
- 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
- Local association
- Kushiro YWCA
- Favorites
- Big public bath, local dialects
- Self-introduction
- It has been 13 years since I left my hometown and started my life in Kushiro. I remember my encounter with the YWCA at a time when I was feeling lonely during the intensive years of child-raising. YWCA has been a safe space for me since then. It is now a place to exachange information and views between people of different generations. I look forward to becoming more fond of Kushiro, with its famous cranes flying in the air.
- Work with YWCA
- Peace
- Name
- Satomi Masui
- Local association
- Nagoya YWCA
- Favorites
- Reading, especially mystery novels with powerful female characters; Chunichi Dragons (baseball team); the moon
- Self-introduction
- Almost 30 years have passed since I encountered feminist counseling, led by my experience of participating in the Beijng Conference in 1995, which is how I became engaged with the YWCA which was a basis of this activity. I have followed the footsteps of my predecessors in order to realize a society where women can thrive just the way they are; without knowing I became a senior member, and now am committed to continue this work in order to pass on the legacy to new members.
- Work with YWCA
- Consultation and support for women; building space for women and young people
- Name
- Emiko Matsubara
- Local association
- Osaka YWCA
- Favorites
- Theatres, pudding
- Self-introduction
- I first became involved with a school YWCA as a teacer, so it was a part of my work; I soon became a member of Osaka YWCA, where I learned a lot including evening lectures. It is now an indispensable part of my life.
- Name
- Akari Ogo
- Name
- Izumi Matsuo
- Favorites
- I love reading various newspapers and journals, choosing tableware to match each meal and drink, and delicious things!
- Self-introduction
- I have a partner and three children. Throughout my carrier as a birthgiving-assistant and university teacher, I have always felt that there are not enough supporters/mutual support for women’s health. I look forward to thinking and working together with you about how to realize comprehensive sexual and reproductive support and about women’s life, safety and security, without being bound by social values.
- Work with YWCA
- A member of Hirosaki YWCA who attended the same church invited me to be part of the organizing team for a youth gathering held in Hirosaki. I have since had the opportnity to work with various activities, especially in the Committee on Peace and Nuclear-Free World, which organizes the Pilgrimage to Hiroshima.
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
