“Global x Inclusive x Leadership ~ Shaping Passion & Ideas into plans: Creating New Values for Inclusive Community”
May 29 – 31, 2026
Supported by Obuse machi, United States Japan Foundation, Globalgiving
JSIE supports fostering global talent and offers global networking opportunities for all with an emphasis on helping women and minorities realize their greatest potential. Women’s Initiative for Sustainable Empowerment (WISE) program is to provide opportunities to shape our life mission and work toward social challenges.
- Date: May 29 – 31, 2026 (2 nights 3 days)
- Venue: Obuse machi, Nagano
- Language: English (Japanese is plus)
- Registration: TBA
- Program Fee: 33,000 yen (shared room) Early Bird
TBA yen (single room, limited number of rooms) - Capacity: 30 people (First-come first-serve-basis)
2025 WISE Program aims to shape ideas into actionable project plans. Under the keywords “Global x Inclusive x Leadership,” we will work together to create an inclusive society where people from different background can maximize their potential. We all know that challenges we face everyday are closely connected to SDGs or social problems, that can turned into (social) business ideas. JSIE will provide opportunities to shape such ideas into plans through group work and to learn leadership styles to bring people in action. JSIE particularly focuses on the following points:
- Ability to Identify and define problem(s)
- Ability to present and explain your ideas to others
- Ability to negotiate, collaborate, and involve with others
- Ability to accept different values and be flexible
- Ability to play leadership and bring “the best outcome”
- You can join JSIE’s global community and meet with people with diverse backgrounds.
- You can get valuable advice and information from the mentors and peers that may help to shape your ideas into actual plans/projects.
- You can make friends who have similar passion, values, and goals towards social change and share these with them.
We invite any ideas that help us make our society better for the next generation. Please share your ideas/activities tackling social problems in the local/global community. For example,
- Ideas leading to end poverty and/or reduce social inequality
- ldeas leading to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being of women and children
- Ideas leading to equal access to quality education
- Ideas promoting inclusive communities and collaborative work by accepting talent from outside
- Ideas re-creating traditions from new & global perspective
- Applicants who are interested in the themes listed above (not limited to) and have own ideas.
(Please describe your ideas) - Applicants who are willing to support other people who have ideas.
(Please tell us your expertise, skills, and experience) - Applicants who are able to communicate with others in English.
- Application is open to all ages and nationalities
This program provides you opportunities to develop and shape ideas into practical plans. JSIE will award certificate to those who have outstanding project ideas. Please contact info@jsie.net for inquiries.
- Date: May 29 – 31, 2026 (2 nights 3 days)
- Venue: Obuse machi, Nagano prefecture
- Program fee: include 2-night-stay, meals (except lunch on 30th), insurance, reception, supplies)
33,000 (room share) Early bird
TBA yen (single room at separate venue) - Language:
→ English: be able to communicate in English (knowledge of Japanese a plus) - Registration Open soon
- Capacity:
→ 30 people (First-come first-serve-basis) - Donation Sponsor: US500$ (per participant)
Sponsoring ticket is for organization to secure a seat of participant & to get observing opportunity for sponsors. If the sponsor desires to invite specific individual, please let us know her/his name and contact info, so that we will directly invite her/him. Otherwise, JSIE will choose an appropriate candidate. Please note that $290 for one participant and $500 ticket includes WISE Sponsor Award fee and an observer’s seat at final presentation and reception. However, transportation of the participant is not included, and hotel stay and transportation for the sponsor is not included. Please contact us if you have any questions at info@jsie.net
Tatsuya Matsui was born in 1969 in Tokyo. He graduated from Department of Fine Arts, College of Arts, Nihon University in 1991.
Since 1991 to 1996, he worked for Kenzo Tange Associates.
After engaging research in France, he served as a researcher of JST and engaged in design of the humanoid robot “PINO”. He founded Flower Robotics in 2001. Currently under development of the enhanced home robot “Patin” that can be used in all homes around the world.
Examination Committee of Good Design Award (2007-2014)
Main Award: iF Design Award in Germany, red dot Design Award in Germany
Known for bringing the best of Western and Japanese communications solutions, Shuri Fukunaga is regularly sought to speak on communications integral to organizations undergoing globalization and reputational issues. After heading J.P. Morgan’s Asia Pacific communications and then Nissan’s global communications, Ms Fukunaga returned in 2003 to Burson-Marsteller, a global communications agency. After serving as its Chief Executive Officer Japan from 2005 to 2019, she founded Persuade Incorporated, an executive communications consulting firm, in January 2020.
Based in the U.S., Daniel Cohn is the President of Vitric Advisors, a strategy consulting firm that helps philanthropic organizations drive meaningful impact. With 15 years of experience in philanthropy, public policy, and coalition-building, he has led initiatives addressing critical issues that range from housing and childhood development to maternal/infant health and emergency response. Previously, Daniel served as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer with the Mt. Sinai Health Foundation, where he managed grantmaking in community health and oversaw multiple, high-profile public-private partnerships.
Earlier in his career, he worked at Cornell University as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture, contributing to national efforts like First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign. Daniel holds academic training in public health, ethics, and public affairs—and in his spare time, he runs Collected Home, an interior design consulting firm.
Hiromi Murakami is the Founder and President of JSIE. Prior to founding JSIE, she’s involved in various policy projects in US/Japanese institutions, including Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Global Health Policy Center, the Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), and Economic Strategy Institute. Currently Murakami is adjunct associate professor at Temple University Japan campus and is a Visiting Fellow at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan. She holds a Ph.D. in international relations from School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
Fumiko is an Executive director for research at JSIE. She teaches International Relations Theory, East Asian Security, and other courses at Columbia University and Johns Hopkins University graduate schools. She also founded an NPO to support underprivileged children in Indonesia. She has a Ph.D. from SAIS, Johns Hopkins University.
After graduating from the University of Leeds in the U.K., Mayumi worked for Mitsui & Co. in the U.S. and at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. After returning to Japan, while supporting executives and researchers at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) and the Tokyo Foundation, she was involved in planning and managing programs and public relations, particularly international exchange and policy dialogue programs. Currently, she supports several corporate executives as a freelance executive assistant.
After graduating from Keele University (UK) in 2016, with a BA in Criminology with Japanese, Caitlin joined the JET Programme. She worked as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) and Vice Prefectural Advisor in Kumamoto City, Japan.
Through a strong interest in community involvement and service to others, she has held roles such as ALT project manager, international student peer mentor, volunteer at community justice centres & police stations, along with time as a police cadet. She is also an initiated member of the Chi Omega women’s fraternity (Chi Zeta chapter).
Caitlin won the best award at the Kumamoto WISE Special in 2019. With JSIE’s support, she has developed an app designed to detect abuse & neglect within Japanese school children and incorporated Kabushikikaisha Guardian in 2022.
Kanon is a WISE Fellow for 2023-2024 and a recipient of the WISE Leadership Award. She has actively participated in JSIE’s events, including the WISE program, where she developed a strong interest in its activities and management. She is currently a student at Sophia University.
May 29 (Friday)
15:00 – Registration & Check-in (Please check-in by 16:30)
17:00 Introduction, Self-introduction, Pitch & Grouping
19:00 Reception & Networking
*Voluntary group work may take place during the evening time.
May 30 (Saturday)
09:00 – Morning lecture
10:15 ~ Group work
12:00 – Lunch (self-arrangement, soba noodles are famous!)
13:00 – Mentors’ introduction
13:40 – Mentor’s session
15:30 – Group work
18:30 – Sharing time — lessons and challenges
18:45 – Supper
*Voluntary group will work during the evening time.
May 31 (Sunday)
09:00 – Lecture
09:30 – Group work
12:00 – Lunch (bento box)
13:10 – Final Presentation
15:25 – Sharing time
15:45 – Award & Closing remarks, photo-taking
16:30 Adjourn
*Contents, schedule, and mentor/panelists are subject to change.
→ Participants should be able to discuss matters in English with other participants during group works. But some Japanese definitely helps.
→ No, transportation is not included. Everyone is required to stay at JSIE-designated place during the program, unless commuting from local areas. The fee covers program fee, facility fee, bento box (only 3rd day), breakfast/supper, reception, and two-night stay.
→ Applicants are accepted in first-come-first-served basis, who have completed the application process and payment.
→ For those who are using train, please get off at JR Shimosuwa station, and the place to stay/reception is within walking distance of JR Shimosuwa station. Please note that the hotel has a limited parking space. Details will be sent to you when your participation is confirmed.
→ On the first day, idea presenters are requested to make 1-min. presentation. Please make your presentation attractive, so that your peer participants will vote your idea. You will be given a sheet of paper to present your idea.
