ANNUAL REPORT

Lin Kobayashi

Every year has been special in its own way, but this school year in particular will be one that we will never forget. Responding to the pandemic tested our resilience and agility as a community in an unprecedented way. Even two months before August, we did not know if the border would reopen in time for our new school year. There were so many international schools in Japan and across the UWC movement that started to lose their students due to significant uncertainties and health concerns and our Board decided that we had to prepare for the worst.

Words can never express my gratitude for our supporters, who responded with incredible speed, warmth, and generosity when we sent out an “SOS” message during the summer. Emergency funds and in-kind gifts kept arriving at our doorstep (virtually and physically) and each gift and contribution touched us deeply and affirmed that we are not in this battle alone. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to express our deepest appreciation to our supporters for everything they did to lift up UWC ISAK Japan over the past year. These are the moments that we will never forget.

We are humbled and grateful to be able to report to you that we are finishing this school year without a financial deficit. Although the pandemic may not yet be over, we are confident that we are prepared for a new future that awaits us – thanks to everyone in the UWC ISAK community. Once again, thanks to everyone for their continued trust and for joining us in this exciting journey.

Mamoru Taniya

Over the past year, I was extremely moved by the amazing efforts of the faculty, staff, supporters and students in dealing with the incredibly challenging situation caused by COVID-19. Our students, in particular, continue to inspire me by their efforts to bring solidarity to the UWC ISAK Japan community and move in directions that will unite people around the globe. They truly are becoming the leaders that the world needs.

Our alumni, most of whom are engaged in full-time university studies, continue to support UWC ISAK with their time, talent, and even their financial treasure. I am so thankful to see their outpouring of gratitude and goodwill.

When Lin Kobayashi and I first started (UWC) ISAK, we dreamed that one day this school would be considered one of the best schools in Asia. Some media already speak of us in this way and, of course, I have always believed it. But for me, the proof of the value of UWC ISAK Japan will always be seen in the character and the actions of our students and alumni.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who continues to support UWC ISAK Japan and have never been more excited about what lies ahead for our school and the changemakers who call it home. The best is yet to come!

Rod Jemison

There is not one feeling, idea, or even phrase that can describe the 2020-2021 year at UWC ISAK Japan. With the world turned upside down, our emotions went from excitement when our returning students were allowed to reenter the country in July to sadness with the idea that our new students would still be delayed until further notice. But then came the day the campus erupted with joy when the Japanese government announced it would begin issuing new visas. (Arata Katayama, especially can attest to this).

When our final student arrived in November and nearly everyone was finished quarantine, we seemed to be headed for a normal school year. But in the first week of January 2021, things again took a turn for the worse as a small number of our community were confirmed to have contracted COVID-19 upon returning from winter break. We implemented immediate countermeasures, which included a campus lockdown and rigorous testing. This period challenged us all and took a mental toll, but thanks to the incredible resilience of our community and the support from our Board, parents, and local stakeholders, we passed this trial and had much to look forward to going into February and March and through the end of the school year.

You often hear our Chair Lin and I say, “it is not how you start, but how you finish.” It is a refrain we’d repeat daily to whoever would listen. But finish strong we did when we all gathered as one community on a beautiful day in May to celebrate the graduating Class of 2021. We witnessed this special class, who together survived historic typhoons and pandemics during their time at UWC ISAK Japan, toss their mortarboards into the air outside the newly opened Accord Center to signify the end of their student-journey at UWC ISAK Japan.

When I reflect on the 2020-21 academic year, what stands out the most is the unbridled success of our community in the face of adversity. More importantly, in line with the spirit of our Founders, our belief in UWC ISAK Japan never wavered. In fact, I believe that the passion, dedication, and commitment has never been stronger and the future never brighter.

Every day, we recognize that we are in the extraordinary position of having supporters who stand by us no matter the circumstances. I’d like to tell every individual that their support makes a difference and thank them for their belief in UWC ISAK Japan.