Waffle Monthly Update – July 2025
July was the month Waffle Camp truly kicked off nationwide, starting in Nagasaki and continuing across Japan. Alongside these workshop , we are supporting ongoing learning for past participants through Waffle Club, hosting a special “Girls in Junior & Senior High × AI” event for parents, and running diverse programs to spark curiosity and confidence.
We also held a thank-you gathering for the incredible mentors who supported students in Technovation Girls 2025—an inspiring reminder of the powerful role volunteers play in our mission.
In this edition, we share summer program highlights and a look ahead at what’s coming next. We’d love for you to read to the end and share it with friends, family, and colleagues.
Waffle Camp Spreads Across Japan: Starting from Nagasaki
On July 29th, our first Waffle Camp Home Town of the year launched in Nagasaki City at the MetLife Insurance K.K. Nagasaki headquarters. Students experienced HTML/CSS web development, tried out AI tools, and joined roundtable talks with local role models.
Feedback was overwhelmingly positive:
“I can’t believe I actually made my own website!”
“I discovered a job I might be suited for.”
“Now I want to learn even more about programming.”
Since then, Waffle Ccamps have also taken place in Toyooka (Hyogo), Kamiina (Nagano), and Fukui (at a venue in Tokyo), giving middle and high schoolers across Japan the chance to experience creating something from scratch.
Special Summer Waffle Club – August 31 (Online)
We’re bringing a special Waffle Club to students nationwide this summer break! On Sunday, August 31st, 10:00–12:00 (JST), middle and high school girls and non-binary students can join from anywhere online.
This session will use Thunkable, a block-based programming tool, to create a custom chat app where a character speaks the words you type. No prior experience is needed—just curiosity and a willingness to try something new.
In the second half, you’ll hear from a student team that competed in Technovation Girls 2025 and won the Minister of Education Award. They’ll share how they learned to code, and how that journey influenced their future plans.
Girls × AI – August 21
Are we ready for the opportunities of the AI era? On Thursday, August 21st, 12:00–13:00 (JST), we’ll host a free online event for parents and guardians: “Girls × AI: Education at the Frontier of Talent Activation.”
Topics will include:
- What should young people learn in the AI era?
- Key points for parents to know about AI and education
- Inside Waffle’s educational programs
- Real stories from students whose lives have been shaped by these experiences
Join in for part or all of the session—perfect for a summer lunchtime learning break.
Waffle College Kickoff: Opening Doors to Tech Careers
From May to July, we hosted Waffle College Kickoff at universities across Japan, including Fukui University, Tohoku University, Tohoku Gakuin University, Seisen University, and Tsuda University, plus an online session.
For students curious about IT but unsure where to start, this hands-on introduction offers a first step into the tech world. Through creating personal websites and engaging with mentors, participants discovered that tech careers aren’t limited to STEM majors.
Many are now moving forward into the Waffle College Tech Career Course, a six-month practical program in coding, AI, and social impact app development.
[See highlights from Tsuda University]
[See highlights from Seisen University]
Birthday Donation from Waffle CEO – Help Us Become a Certified NPO
We are aiming to become a Certified NPO by March 2026, which will allow donations to be tax-deductible in Japan. To qualify, we need support from at least 80 more donors giving ¥3,000 or more annually.
To mark her birthday, Waffle CEO Sayaka Tanaka has launched a Birthday Donation Campaign. On the campaign page, she shares her personal story of founding Waffle and why this next step matters so much.
Planned Giving: Leave a Legacy
We now offer free consultations for those considering planned giving or bequests. Partnering with a judicial scrivener office, we help ensure that your values and vision can shape the future for the next generation.
Volunteer Spotlight: Technovation Girls 2025 Mentors
Over 130 mentors supported 440 students throughout the three- to four-month Technovation Girls 2025 journey. Their expertise—ranging from app development to business planning—helped students create truly impressive results.
At our recent thank-you gathering, mentors shared reflections such as:
“Seeing the students grow up close was inspiring.”
“I was amazed by their creativity and fresh perspectives.”
[Watch the thank-you event video]
A Message from Our Team
“On July 29th in Nagasaki, we saw first-time coders’ eyes light up as they realized they could bring their ideas to life. Some gained confidence in skills they’d been self-teaching; others began picturing themselves in IT careers.
Experiences like these—building something real and talking to role models—expand their world. As Waffle Camp continues nationwide, our staff and mentors will keep supporting each student’s ‘I want to try!’ moment.”
—Kayo Sasaki, Manager, Waffle Camp / Waffle Club
Thank you for reading and for being part of Waffle’s journey. Let’s keep creating more opportunities together.
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