Waffle Monthly Update – April 2026

Thank you for your continued support of Waffle. As the cherry blossoms begin to bloom, we are excited to kick off a new fiscal year!

March, featuring International Women’s Day (IWD), was a month of deep impact. From our month-long “#EmpowerNext / 10 WOMEN. 10 STORIES.” campaign to a high-level joint event with the Embassy of Finland, we’ve been busy amplifying voices in STEM. We also launched our first-ever in-person feedback sessions for Technovation Girls 2026 in Tokyo and Osaka, where middle and high schoolers from across Japan presented their hard work.

International Women’s Day Reports: #EmpowerNext & Embassy Event

To celebrate IWD, Waffle launched the “#EmpowerNext / 10 WOMEN. 10 STORIES.” series on social media, featuring authentic stories and messages from 10 alumni of Waffle’s programs.

[Click here to see their inspiring journeys]

On March 12, we co-hosted a flagship event with the Embassy of Finland focused on gender equality in technology. Here are some powerful insights from our guest panelists:

• Ginko Kawano, Professor of Kyushu University: “Teachers often lack the opportunity to see how women are truly thriving in tech today. We must bridge this information gap by providing updated insights from companies and NPOs—it’s the most direct path to change.”
• Tetsuo Goda, Director-General of MEXT: “The century-old divide between ‘Humanities’ and ‘Sciences’ is now our biggest hurdle. In the era of AI, the ability to ask the right questions is what matters most. We need to shift mindsets, not just systems.”
• Akiko Murakami, Executive Director of AI Safety Institute: “You don’t have to have your whole life figured out at 18. Math and science are simply powerful tools to bring your interests to life. We need to communicate that excitement in a way that truly resonates.”

Waffle remains committed to ensuring more girls and non-binary students feel empowered to step into the world of technology.

[Watch the event highlights here]

Technovation Girls 2026: In-Person Feedback Sessions in Tokyo & Osaka

This March, we held our first-ever regional feedback sessions in Osaka (March 22) and Tokyo (March 27). This year’s program is supported by MEXT and the UN Women Japan Liaison Office, with over 400 participants nationwide.

• Osaka (Supported by NTT DOCOMO Kansai): 16 participants gathered from across Western Japan.
• Tokyo (Supported by Uniadex): 57 participants presented their progress.

Students presented app concepts tackling critical issues like the aging population, environmental sustainability, and the digital divide. Receiving direct feedback from corporate volunteers provided a massive boost of confidence as they prepare for the official Japan Pitch Event in June and the World Summit in India.

[Watch the event video here]

Microsoft Japan IWD Event: Professional Cheers for Our Students

On March 6, Kumiko Morita, Director of Waffle, spoke at Microsoft Japan’s annual International Women’s Day event. She shared Waffle’s mission and milestones with an audience of Microsoft employees and executives.

The highlight was an interactive session where employees shared messages for the next generation: “What I wish I could tell my younger self.” Using Microsoft Copilot, these messages were woven into a unique piece of digital art and gifted to Waffle. These words from industry pros will be a huge source of encouragement for our students. Our sincere thanks to the team at Microsoft Japan!

Upcoming Events

[April 16] Donor Exclusive: Davos Report with Sayaka Tanaka

Sayaka Tanaka, CEO of Waffle, will host a special report session on her participation in the 2026 World Economic Forum (Davos). She will discuss global shifts in AI education, critical thinking, and her insights from the UAE.

• This event is exclusive to our donors. We invite you to consider supporting Waffle to join this vital conversation.
• When: April 16, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM (JST) | Online
• [Register/Donate Here]

[April 22] International Girls in ICT Day: Plan International Japan

Kumiko Morita, Director of Waffle, will speak at an online event hosted by Plan International Japan. The theme is “AI and Gender,” exploring how to navigate gender bias in technology and take charge of your own future.

• When: April 22, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM (JST) | Online (Free)
• [Register Here]

[May 10] Waffle Club: Build Your Own SNS-Style App!

Ever wondered if you could build your own app? Join our 2-hour no-code workshop where you’ll create an app for posting and sharing photos. Our female mentors will be there to support you every step of the way!

• Who: Middle & High School Girls and Non-binary students
• Cost: Free | Deadline: May 2
• [Register Here]

News & Announcements

Alumni Spotlight: Aoi Hiramatsu

Aoi Hiramatsu, Alum of Waffle (College 2nd Cohort), recently graduated from Tsuda University. Since her time at Waffle, she has won a Microsoft Learn Business Contest and the Mercari BOLD program. This spring, she began her career in the Health-Tech field. Read her full interview with Tsuda University to see how she paved her way!

[Read the Interview Article]

Support Our Journey to Certified NPO Status

We are working toward becoming a Certified NPO, which will make your future donations tax-deductible. To qualify, we need 100+ supporters to give 3,000 JPY or more annually. (Note: Due to system fees, we kindly ask for donations of 3,300 JPY or more).

 [Donate Here]

Support Our Journey to Certified NPO Status

We are working toward becoming a Certified NPO, which will make your future donations tax-deductible. To qualify, we need 100+ supporters to give 3,000 JPY or more annually. (Note: Due to system fees, we kindly ask for donations of 3,300 JPY or more).

 [Donate Here]

Legacy Giving & Inheritance Consultations

Ensure your vision for a better society continues with the next generation. We now offer professional consultations via judicial scriveners for those interested in bequest/legacy giving.

Volunteer Spotlight: Industry Support for Technovation Girls

A massive thank you to the employee volunteers from NTT DOCOMO Kansai, Uniadex, MetLife, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Japan, Microsoft Japan, and Salesforce Japan. Your feedback has helped our students realize that a career in tech is not just a dream—it’s an attainable future.

A Message from the Team

Kayo Sasaki, Waffle Club Manager of Waffle

March was a whirlwind of inspiration. Seeing so many professionals eager to support the next generation through our events was truly moving.

My favorite part of managing Waffle Club is that moment when a student shouts, ‘It worked!’ Seeing that shift from ‘This looks hard’ to ‘I want to try more’ is everything. I hope to create many more of those moments in our May session. If you know a student who might be interested, please invite them to join us!

Thank you for being part of the Waffle journey!