Waffle Monthly Update – December 2025
Reflections on the Year-End and Looking Ahead
As we step into a new year, we would like to begin by expressing our sincere gratitude for your continued support of Waffle.
With the start of 2026, Waffle is entering a new phase—expanding our impact not only through education programs, but also through policy engagement and global learning.
In this update, we share highlights from the year-end period, including Chairperson Sayaka Tanaka’s participation in Japan’s Growth Strategy Council, key learnings from our Australia study visit, a recap of our December Waffle Club, and important announcements for the months ahead.
Waffle CEO Joins Japan Growth Strategy Council as Expert Member
We are proud to announce that Sayaka Tanaka, CEO of Waffle, has joined the Human Capital Development Subcommittee of the Japan Growth Strategy Council, chaired by the Prime Minister of Japan.
The Japan Growth Strategy Council is one of the country’s most important national bodies, responsible for shaping policies that drive long-term economic growth. Within the Human Capital Development Subcommittee, discussions focus on education reform and workforce development to support Japan’s future.
Drawing on her experience at Waffle, Tanaka will contribute expert insights on:
- Reforming high school and higher education
- Supporting women’s career pathways in IT and STEM
- Addressing structural gender gaps through education policy
Through this role, Waffle aims to connect grassroots educational practice with national-level policy change.
Learning from Australia: Building Continuous Support for Gender-Equal STEM Education
In November 2025, Waffle conducted a study visit to New South Wales, Australia, engaging in discussions with universities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations working on STEM education and gender equity.
One key insight stood out:
Support should not be fragmented into “before enrollment” or “during school” stages—what truly matters is designing continuous, long-term support that accompanies learners across life transitions.
This perspective strongly resonated with Waffle’s mission. We will integrate these learnings into our education programs and future policy proposals in Japan.
📎 [Read the full Australia visit report (in Japanese)]
🎄 Waffle Club Holiday Special – Event Report
On December 14, Waffle hosted a special online Waffle Club Holiday Event for middle and high school girls and non-binary students, featuring a career talk and a hands-on programming workshop.
Part 1: Career Talk
“You Don’t Have to Believe in Yourself—Just Keep Taking Action”
Our guest speaker, Utako Kase, a software engineer at Amazon, shared candid stories about:
- How she chose her path in high school
- Overcoming challenges while studying abroad
- How she navigated moments of doubt and uncertainty
One message that deeply resonated with participants was:
“More important than English skills is the ability to ask for help and communicate.”
In response to students’ questions about motivation and setbacks, she offered this advice:
“Success rarely comes instantly. Instead of focusing on what didn’t work, notice the small things that did. Those moments can quietly build confidence over time.”
Part 2: Programming Workshop
Participants used p5.js to create interactive holiday cards, customizing text, colors, and animations. Many commented, “It was challenging, but really fun!”
Participant voices:
- “I learned that taking action matters more than overthinking.”
- “I’m so glad I joined—this isn’t something we learn at school.”
- “It helped me think seriously about my future goals.”
🎥 [Watch the event highlights]
Upcoming Waffle Club – February 8, 2026 (Online)
Our next Waffle Club will take place on February 8, 2026, featuring both a career talk and a creative programming session.
Part 1: Career Talk
“Real Talk from High School Seniors”
Two students from Technovation Girls 2025—Anri and Kayo, winners of a corporate award—will share their honest experiences with:
- High school entrance exam setbacks
- Preparing for university exams
- Discovering programming through Technovation Girls and learning as a team
This session is especially recommended for students who feel unsure about what to focus on right now.
Part 2: Drawing with Code (p5.js)
Participants will learn how coordinates work by programming circles and patterns—turning their screen into a creative design canvas.
🗓 Date: February 8, 2026 | 10:00–12:00 JST
💻 Format: Online
💡 Fee: Free (Join Part 1 or Part 2 only—both are welcome)
Technovation Girls 2026 Is Underway – Mentors Wanted
Technovation Girls 2026 has officially begun.
More than 400 students from all 47 prefectures are now learning programming and business development, working toward mobile app solutions for social challenges.
We are currently recruiting volunteer mentors to support these teams:
- Business Mentors
- Technical Mentors
⏱ Commitment: ~2 hours/week, online, for 3–4 months
📎 [Learn more about volunteering]
📅 Information sessions are available.
Alumni Spotlight: Waffle College Graduates at Google DevFest Tokyo
Waffle College alumni took the stage as speakers at Google Developer Group – DevFest Tokyo 2025.
DevFest is a global developer conference hosted by Google Developer Groups, covering technologies such as Android, Cloud, Web, AI, and more.
Building on skills developed at Waffle College, both alumni delivered technical talks and shared insights with the wider developer community—becoming powerful role models for the next generation.
Supporting “Informatics for All” – National University Collaboration Event
Eight national universities in Japan will jointly host “Informatics for all by all”, a large-scale event for middle and high school students on March 15, 2026.
The event explores the appeal of informatics, career paths, and future possibilities, with programs for students, parents, and educators.
Waffle proudly supports this initiative.
🗓 Date: March 15, 2026
📍 Format: Hybrid (Online + 8 university campuses)
💡 Fee: Free (Registration required)
📎 [Event details & registration]
Support Waffle’s Journey to Becoming a Certified NPO
Waffle is working toward becoming a Certified Nonprofit Organization, which would allow donations to be tax-deductible in Japan.
To qualify, we need:
- 100 individual donors
- ¥3,000 or more per year
- By March 2026
Your support strengthens Waffle’s transparency, credibility, and long-term sustainability.
We also offer consultations for legacy and bequest donations, helping your values support future generations.
Volunteer Appreciation: Supporting Students Together
Recently, employees from Lenovo Japan volunteered to support Waffle College students with mock job interviews.
After a session on interview fundamentals, students practiced real interviews and received direct feedback from professionals.
Student feedback included:
- “They were friendly and encouraging—it was easy to talk.”
- “I learned how important it is to communicate who I am, not just list information.”
We are deeply grateful to Lenovo’s team for their continued support.
Message from Our CEO
Sayaka Tanaka
CEO,NPO Waffle
Happy New Year, and thank you for your continued support.
Last year marked a major turning point for me personally and professionally. After returning from parental leave, I felt a strong urgency to rethink Waffle’s educational approach in light of rapid advances in AI.
By participating in global forums such as the World Economic Forum and serving on national education councils, I aim to ensure that the potential we nurture through education is not lost when learners enter society—but instead protected and amplified by the systems around them.
In 2026, I will also participate in the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, bringing perspectives from Japan and Asia while continuing to evolve Waffle’s mission.
Through technology and education, we will keep building a society where everyone can believe in—and fully use—their potential.
Thank you for walking this journey with us. We look forward to another year of impact together.
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