New Member: YouMeWe
The British Chamber of Commerce in Japan is delighted to welcome YouMeWe (YMW) to our ever-growing membership base. As a non-profit organisation dedicated to bridging the digital divide for youth in institutional care, YouMeWe plays a critical role in equipping Japan’s next generation with the confidence and independence needed to thrive in adulthood.
YMW creates memorable learning experiences that leave a lasting impression on everyone involved.
YouMeWe is a Tokyo-based non-profit organisation that helps youth in institutional care and foster homes build digital literacy, acquire vital life skills, manage daily life, and transition successfully into independent adulthood. Through hardware distribution, training programmes, safe internet access, and community mentoring, they support young people in overcoming the digital divide while fostering the resilience needed to navigate modern society.
They were founded in 2018 to address a gap that few people in Japan see.
'Every year, young people leave children's homes and foster care, usually at 18, and must support themselves almost overnight. Many have had little access to computers, the internet or the everyday digital tools that their peers take for granted.'
They work to close that gap by partnering with children's homes to provide equipment, structured digital literacy programmes and safe, guided internet use.
Lasting change happens when communities come together.
Why did you join the BCCJ?
'Our work depends on partnerships with business. Companies bring volunteers, expertise, equipment and funding, and they also bring a view of the working world that our young people rarely get to see. The BCCJ connects us with organisations that share a commitment to social responsibility and to Japan's future workforce.
We are especially keen to engage with the Chamber's community on topics such as diversity and inclusion, corporate social responsibility and talent development.'
What does a typical programme look like?
'Our programmes are designed with the staff of each home and adapted to the age and needs of the children. They cover the fundamentals: using a computer, staying safe online, typing and office software, and searching for information. Older participants move on to skills linked directly to independence, such as writing a CV, applying for jobs, budgeting and handling official paperwork.'
What impact have you seen so far?
'We have donated over a 1000 computers to facilities all across Japan, and provide regular educational and lifestyle support for 50 kids and former institutionalized children. We are also currently working with the US embassy in Japan to distribute emergency kits to homes in every prefecture of Japan.'
What are your plans for the year ahead?
'Looking ahead, October is a busy month for us at YouMeWe: our Virtual Walk Challenge runs all month (October 1–31), followed by the Move with Purpose Run on October 10th, our Hokkaido to Nagasaki Fun-raiser Gala on October 14th, and the Yamathon on October 17th. We'll also be hosting a Memorabilia Exhibition from October 13th to 17th, featuring an Ohtani-signed jersey on display October 16th and 17th. We'd love to have you join us for any of these!'
How can BCCJ members get involved?
There are many ways to support our work:
Volunteering, for example by teaching a workshop or sharing your career story with young people
Donating equipment, such as laptops your company is retiring
Corporate partnerships and sponsorship of programmes at specific children's homes
Skills-based support in areas such as IT, communications and fundraising
We would be glad to hear from any member who would like to learn more.