Our History
Explore the story of UWC ISAK Japan — from our beginnings in 2008 to becoming a full UWC school in 2017. Located in the mountains of Nagano, we’ve grown into a diverse community where young people from around the world learn to identify what is most important and take action in the face of challenge. Learn how our history continues to shape our mission and the students we support.
Our History
In 2008, Lin Kobayashi and Mamoru Taniya set out to create a new kind of school—one that would equip young people to become catalysts for positive change. With the support of 100 founding donors, they began building the International School of Asia, Karuizawa (ISAK), grounded in a vision of education that uses diversity as a strength and encourages students to take action in the face of discomfort.
After six years of preparation, ISAK opened its doors in 2014, welcoming students from around the world to our campus in Nagano, Japan. From the beginning, the school focused on helping students identify what is most important and needed, and support others in this practice.
In 2012, Lin Kobayashi and Roderick Jemison, ISAK’s newly appointed Head of School, began conversations with the United World Colleges (UWC). Recognizing shared values and purpose, ISAK and UWC began a five-year collaboration that led to ISAK officially joining the UWC movement on 1 August 2017.
Since then, UWC ISAK Japan has remained committed to offering a transformative education that prepares students to navigate complexity and lead with clarity. In 2024, we celebrated our 10th anniversary as a high school—a milestone that honors the vision and efforts of our entire community.
As our story continues, we remain focused on developing the next generation of changemakers—students who act with purpose, overcome challenges, and contribute to a more peaceful and sustainable world.
Discover the Story Behind UWC ISAK Japan
To help make ISAK’s founding story accessible to a wider audience, a group of students launched Changemakers—an English-language translation of the Japanese book Chairo no Shimauma Sekai wo Kaeru, which shares Lin Kobayashi’s perspective on the creation of our school. The project also includes a newly written chapter about ISAK’s integration into the UWC movement.
By bridging language and cultural gaps, the student-led effort aims to deepen understanding of ISAK’s origins and strengthen shared appreciation for our mission. We invite you to download and explore Changemakers—a resource created by students, for the community.
