Waffle Monthly Update – November 2025
First, our hearts go out to everyone affected by the December 8 earthquake off the east coast of Aomori Prefecture. We sincerely hope for the safety of all those impacted and for a swift recovery in the affected regions.
December also marks the start of Giving December. At Waffle, “support” includes much more than financial contributions—sharing a message on social media, reposting our updates, or volunteering as a mentor are all meaningful ways to stand with us.
And one more important announcement: the Technovation Girls 2026 application deadline has been extended to Friday, December 19 (23:59 JST). More than 200 students joined our opening ceremony, creating an incredible atmosphere. If exams kept you from applying, there’s still time!
Below, you’ll find highlights from November, including our exchange with a delegation from Taiwan’s Ministry of Education and our inclusion in a Cabinet Office casebook. Plus, we’ve included important updates and December opportunities.
Please read and share this update!
【Deadline Extended to 12/19】Technovation Girls 2026 Applications
New deadline: Fri, Dec 19, 2025 at 23:59 JST
Technovation Girls is a global app-development program active in 117 countries with roughly 30,000 participants. We’re extending the application window to ensure students in the middle of exam season aren’t left behind.
If you apply now, you’ll receive:
- The opening ceremony recording
- Individual support to help you get started
Ready to take on a big challenge in 2026? It’s not too late!
- Apply now → [Application Form]
- Program details → [Learn more]
Waffle Club 🎄 Xmas Special — Now Accepting Registrations
Sun, Dec 14, 2025 | 10:00–12:00 JST | Online (Zoom)
Eligibility: Girls & non-binary middle and high school students (no experience required)
Fee: Free
Create your own animated holiday card using p5.js, with guidance from our friendly mentors.
Why join?
- Build your own “moving card” in just 60 minutes
- Hear from a software engineer at Amazon
- Beginner-friendly support from mentors
Program
- Part 1 (10:00–10:40): Career Talk — Setting goals for next year with Utako Kase, Software Engineer at Amazon. She’ll share how she navigated setbacks and designed a path that fits her. Parents/guardians are welcome to listen in.
- Part 2 (10:40–12:00): p5.js Workshop — Create a message to “Future Me.” You’ll make a moving card and can keep customizing it after the event. Perfect as a gift for family or friends.
- Register / Details → [Sign up here]
(Joining only Part 1 or only Part 2 is totally fine!)
Taiwan Ministry of Education Delegation Visit — Exchanging Ideas on Gender Equality & STEM
On Tue, Nov 25, Waffle welcomed education officials and youth representatives from the Ministry of Education (Taiwan). Taiwan enacted the Gender Equity Education Act in 2004 and has promoted gender-equity education for over 20 years.
We exchanged perspectives on common challenges in Japan and Taiwan—especially the gender gap in STEM—and discussed policies and local initiatives. The conversation was especially lively around Youth Councils in Taiwan and Waffle’s strategies for expanding programs across regions.
- Read our activity blog → [Details here]
“Giving December” — Your Support Fuels the Next “I did it!”
At Waffle, “support” comes in many forms:
- Share a message on social media
- Repost our updates
- Donate to sustain our programs
- Volunteer as a mentor
Every message, share, and gift helps create the moment when a young person says, “I did it!”
Check out Waffle on Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn and leave a comment—we’d love to hear from you!
Updates & Press
- Workshop with Microsoft Japan’s “Give Campaign.”
- Waffle featured in the Cabinet Office (Gender Equality Bureau) casebook Women’s Digital Talent Development Plan (Vol. 5).
With rapid advances in AI reshaping industries, roles traditionally held by women (clerical, assistant, reception) are expected to decline. Waffle College was profiled as a case that helps women undergraduates and graduate students build specialized, future-proof careers. - Read more on our activity blog → [Details here]
Help Us Become a Certified NPO
We are working toward achieving Certified NPO status, which will make future donations tax-deductible and strengthen our long-term impact. To qualify, we need 100+ individual donors contributing at least ¥3,000 annually—a key indicator of broad community support.
Reaching this by March 2026 moves us significantly closer.
- Donate here → [Donation page]
Planned Giving & Bequests — Let Your Values Shape the Future
Considering how your assets can help the next generation? We offer consultations (via a judicial scrivener office) for those interested in planned giving or bequests.
Thank You to Our Volunteers, Teachers, and Partners
Waffle’s work is powered by a national network of supporters. At the Technovation Girls opening, many professional volunteers stepped up as mentors to warmly support 200+ students. Our thanks also go to teachers across Japan and partner companies/organizations who share the goal of expanding opportunities for girls and non-binary students in every region.
We will keep working to deliver opportunities to every corner of the country—and we hope to connect with even more of you who share this mission. Thank you for walking alongside the next generation with us.
A Message from Our Team
Kensaku Tsujita
Communications, NPO Waffle
“During our exchange with the Taiwan Ministry of Education delegation, we learned that 22 municipalities in Taiwan run Youth Councils where young people propose policies and the government is obligated to respond. Seeing a structure where youth voices reach policy directly was inspiring.
Japan and Taiwan share the challenge of the STEM gender gap, but by sharing knowledge across regions and learning from each other, the path to solutions becomes clearer.
At last weekend’s Technovation Girls opening, the energy of so many students—and the warm support from partner companies and teachers nationwide—made me feel, once again, how urgently we must deliver opportunities to girls in regional areas.
December is Giving December. I hope we can keep connecting—in your own way of supporting—and keep moving forward together. Thank you for being with us.”
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