Gender-Based Violence Awareness

I invited director Hirokazu Kore-eda (是枝裕和) to UWC ISAK Japan because his films explore universal social issues with deep empathy — something that strongly resonates with our diverse student body from more than 80 countries.Reaching out to him felt impossible. He seemed completely out of reach.But I sent the message anyway. And he came.This experience taught me that even the most “unreachable” people might say yes if you have the courage to ask.Dream big. Take action.

Our mission is to make ISAK a place where taking action becomes the norm, and where every student has the courage to turn "zero into one." We hosted Entrepreneur Weekend twice during our Grade 10 year, bringing together ISAK students and middle and high school students from across Japan to develop startup ideas over three days, with mentorship from professional entrepreneurs. As we moved into Grade 11, we began sending Grade 10 students to Startup Weekend events in Tokyo and Nagoya, creating a cycle where students pass down the mindset of leadership to future cohorts.

Inspired by my grandfather’s hearing loss, I See Life works to bridge the gap between deaf and hearing communities. Through exchange trips and activities to a local deaf school, weekly sign language sessions, and events on World Hearing Day, we encourage more people to connect with the hard of hearing community, one that often gets overlooked in our daily lives. #DeafAwareness #Inclusion #SignLanguage #TechForGood #uwc #uwcisakjapan #isakimpactawards #isakimpact #nagano #karuizawa

Maybe it's just a routine. Maybe it's just another spot in the timetable, but maybe, there's more to our usual Stop and Clean. Being nominated for the Impact Award recognizes how small, consistent actions can create meaningful change on how we view communal spaces. Stop and Clean in the KAC Entrance represents an opportunity to practice responsibility, mindfulness, and respect for the community environment.

I've long cared about sustainability and saw an opportunity at ISAK to make a difference. I initiated ISAK Soap, a faculty-led CAS project where students and I learned to make soap using our school's recycled cooking oil to reduce plastic waste and replace commercially-made cleaning products. Students have embraced this environmentally-friendly option and are eager to support UWC's sustainability mission. We've sold various soaps, and profits fund continued experimentation with new varieties, allowing the project to grow sustainably.

Restoring Hope supports 36 displaced girls in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia, who were affected by the Tigray War. Combining psychological rehabilitation with educational reintegration, the project helps them rebuild confidence, emotional wellbeing, and motivation to return to school in a safe and supportive environment.

Watch how an abandoned teahouse is transformed into a stunning space in just one year. From demolition to final finishes, this full renovation journey captures every step, including design, construction, and creative problem-solving. Perfect for fans of home makeovers, DIY, and architecture. See the before and after, get inspired, and follow the process from start to finish.

We tackle coffee waste by combining science with community action. Our team engineered E. coli to remove caffeine from spent coffee grounds, making them safe for use as fertilizer. Beyond the lab, we partnered with coffee shops, taught students through workshops and camps, and brought sustainability education to rural communities, empowering people to turn everyday waste into a resource.

When the Taliban banned girls from learning, these students didn't stop. They went underground.The Evening School partnered with Afghanistan Education Action to bring computer science education to hidden classrooms in Herat, growing from 16 students to 48. But their impact doesn't stop at the classroom door. They're also taking Afghan students' voices to the United Nations, advocating for children's right to learn in conflict zones around the world.Education is resistance. Education is hope.