Waffle Monthly Update – August 2025
August brought a full slate of exciting developments at Waffle—from the official start of Waffle College’s 4th cohort to our very first technical intern from a national college of technology. Our community continues to grow, and so does our momentum toward becoming a Certified NPO. In this edition, we share highlights from around Japan, special announcements, and a look ahead. As always, we’d be thrilled if you shared this update with your friends and colleagues!
Waffle Camp in August: 4 Cities, Countless Sparks of Curiosity
In August, Waffle Camp reached students across Fukui prefecture, Toyooka (Hyogo), Kamiina (Nagano), and Nagaoka (Niigata), giving many their first experience with programming, AI, and tech careers.
One highlight was Waffle Camp in Fukui, co-hosted with the Fukui Prefectural Board of Education. Fifty-three high school students from the “Fukui Girls: Future Tech Leaders” program traveled to Tokyo, where they visited Lenovo Japan’s headquarters for hands-on tech demos and conversations with employees. They also joined a web development session at LY Corporation LINE Yahoo, featuring a role model talk from an female engineer originally from Fukui.
Feedback was inspiring:
“Talking to real IT engineers helped me imagine my own future.”
These regional camps were made possible by generous support from local governments, companies, and community organizations. We are deeply grateful for everyone who helped us empower the next generation of tech creators.
Coming Soon: Waffle Camp in Tokyo – October 26
Our First-Ever Waffle Camp in Tokyo!
For the first time, Waffle Camp is coming to central Tokyo! This one-day event is perfect for middle and high school girls and non-binary students who are curious about programming, web design, or their future career paths.
Hosted at the Capgemini Japan office, the day will include:
- A web design workshop to build a site about your favorite topic or fandom
- An introduction to AI
- Career talks by Capgemini professionals
With support from mentors and university students, even total beginners can dive in with confidence.
Details:
- Date: October 26 (Sun), 10:00–16:30
- Venue: Capgemini Japan, Atago Green Hills, Minato-ku, Tokyo
- Open To: For girls & non-binary middle/high school students
- Fee: Free, lunch included
[Sign up here]
Technovation Girls 2025: Impact Report Now Available
Our Technovation Girls 2025 Japan program saw record participation this year, with 440 students from 44 prefectures forming 88 teams. Over six months, students built apps to solve real social challenges.
Results were outstanding:
- 7 teams advanced to the global semifinals
- 1 team became a World Finalist
- Many participants dramatically improved their coding, problem-solving, and presentation skills
- The team awarded the Minister of Education Prize stood out for their innovative social impact solution
Waffle College Kickoff: Program Report Released
Between December 2024 and July 2025, Waffle hosted 11 Waffle College Kickoff events across Japan. These 90–120-minute introductory sessions helped female and non-binary university students take their first step toward a tech career.
Each session featured:
- A hands-on web development workshop
- A talk by a female tech role model
📎 [See the report here]
Waffle College Tech Career Course: 4th Cohort Begins
On August 29, we welcomed 43 participants from all over Japan—from Miyagi to Okinawa—to kick off the 4th cohort of our Tech Career Course.
The opening ceremony was held at Kyndryl Japan’s Tokyo office, where employees warmly supported the launch. Over the next six months, these students will learn coding, AI, and social impact tech skills. We can’t wait to see how they grow.
[Watch highlights from the opening day]
Tokyo Yamathon: Charity Walk Supporting Waffle – October 4
Waffle is once again a charity partner for the Tokyo Yamathon, a 42km team walk around Tokyo’s Yamanote Line happening on October 4.
All participation fees will support Waffle and other nonprofit partners. We’ll also have an info booth at the start and finish lines to share our mission with new audiences.
Welcoming Our First Technical Intern from a National College of Technology
In August, we welcomed Rio Tate, a 4th-year student from Hachinohe National College of Technology, for a five-day internship at Waffle. A member of a youth robotics and programming education group,”Robot Musume”, ” she brought energy and insight to our work.
She presented learnings from her experience, including:
- How to communicate effectively in online education
- The value of teamwork and defined roles
- The importance of proactive communication
She plans to share these lessons with her own community, helping to spread the fun of IT further.
News & Updates
Waffle College 2nd Cohort Student Wins 2nd Prize at Microsoft Learn Business Contest
Congratulations to Aoi Hiramatsu, who placed second in a national competition with her idea “MSLearn@Campus”—an outreach program promoting Microsoft Learn through campus-based study sessions and career talks, especially at women’s universities.
[See the presentation on Microsoft’s official channel]
New: Waffle’s English Newsletter on LinkedIn
We’ve launched an English newsletter on LinkedIn to better reach our global partners and supporters.
[Subscribe here]
Planned Giving: Leave a Legacy
We now offer free consultations for those interested in bequests or legacy donations. In partnership with a judicial scrivener, we help ensure your vision can continue into the next generation.
Volunteer Spotlight: Waffle’s Mentors & Alumni
This summer, over 20 university and graduate students, including many Waffle College alumni, served as mentors at Waffle Camp and Waffle Club.
They guided younger students with warmth and empathy, often drawing from their own Waffle experiences. Each of them completed pre-program training in gender inclusion and role modeling, helping us build learning environments where everyone can feel safe to grow.
Their dedication shows how sisterhood and community are flourishing within Waffle.
A Message from Our Team
Manami Maitoko
Manager, Waffle College
Since August 12, our 4th Tech Career Course cohort has been meeting twice a week for intensive learning. We’re already seeing strong motivation and commitment from each student—and we can’t wait to see their growth by the end of the six-month program.
Our past graduates are now working in IT, joining internships, building skills at hackathons, and organizing “Women in Tech” events. This continuation is only possible because of your support. Thank you so much.
We remain committed to creating inclusive learning environments where everyone can take their first steps into tech with confidence.
Thank you for walking this journey with us.
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