This report is our opportunity to inform and inspire our global community. Here, you will find highlights of the 2022-23 academic year and updates on how we have pursued our unique school mission.
The 2022-23 school year has indeed been unforgettable, for it brought into focus areas for growth both for myself as a leader and for our organization as a whole. There’s a path ahead that calls for continued work and refinement. But the year has also been deeply moving, as our students and parents never wavered in their belief in our school. Amid challenges, the honesty and commitment of my colleagues, dedicated to our mission and the well-being of our school, have been truly inspiring. Remembering the saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,” it’s my sincere wish that we, as a united front, journey towards our objectives. I extend my heartfelt thanks for the enduring support and trust placed in us over the years.
This past year brought a major change as we bid farewell to our long-time principal, Rod, and welcomed Malcolm in his place. The shift was initially met with uncertainty. Despite this, we’ve experienced an even better year at UWC ISAK than we anticipated. This success is due to everyone’s dedication, including our new deputy principals, Kyle and Michelle, our faculty, staff, students, Founders, and Catalyst supporters, all guided by our capable Chair of the Board and Principal. The graduation ceremony in May was particularly touching. Watching the student who hosted the ceremony tearfully send off the graduates truly showcased UWC ISAK as one big family. I felt immense gratitude for having the chance to build such a school alongside all of our supporters. In the coming year, I look forward to working together to make our school even better. Your support is deeply appreciated. Thank you.
Joining UWC ISAK Japan in mid-October 2022 has turned out to be one of the most delightful surprises of my career. Nevertheless, this has been a complex and challenging year. Leadership transitions are seldom easy, and when they are unexpected this causes extra pressure. That said, we have stayed the course this past year and stayed true to our founding impulses. Our combination of the original ISAK vision and mission with those of the UWC movement is distinctive and powerful. Every day we strive to live our ideals and, when we fall short of these demanding aspirations, we try to find ways of doing things better in future. Our students are remarkable, in their energy, motivations, and goals. Our adults are full of passion and purpose for the place and its values. What a fine, inspiring school and community we have here on the slopes of Mount Asama!
As catalysts for positive change, we:
For the first time since 2019, we kicked off our school year with all students successfully joining campus on time for the commencement of classes. Notably, our Grade 11 class was the largest in the history of UWC ISAK Japan, with an impressive cohort of 92 students, which helped correct an imbalance caused by the global pandemic. The return of new international students in 2022 was a significant moment for us, reaffirming our commitment to intentional diversity.
Following an eventful Orientation Week, classes commenced, and our bustling Outdoor Education program began with thrilling hikes, including ascents of Mount Asama and Mount Fuji. On September 21, we commemorated UWC Day under the theme “Peace begins with us.” Engaging in workshops and role-playing activities focused on peace, environmental crises, gender relationships, and more, students, faculty, and staff took a moment to reflect on our school’s mission and explore solutions to global challenges.
Fall Project Week was a vibrant and action-packed experience. It marked the first foray for our Grade 10 students into the redesigned UWC ISAK Japan Leadership program. Additionally, we experienced a change in school leadership, as Rod Jemison transitioned to an advisory role for the 2022-23 school year, and Malcolm McKenzie assumed his position as the Interim Head of School, embarking on a two-year mandate at UWC ISAK Japan.
Extracurricular activities flourished with 24-hour Theatre, a beloved tradition that challenges students to create a play in a day. Recently, in a first for UWC ISAK Japan, we hosted Ainu community members Kenji, Maki, and Maya Sekine, in partnership with SEKAI Education. This marked our inaugural collaboration with a Japanese indigenous culture, with our Ainu guests leading enriching workshops on diversity and intercultural understanding. This pioneering step deepens our connection to Japan’s history and sets the stage for future collaborations with indigenous communities. Read more here.
On December 10, in harmony with celebrations worldwide, we observed Human Rights Day at UWC schools, reaffirming our commitment to peace and human dignity, inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Afterward, students enjoyed their Winter Break from December 17 to January 8. Some remained on campus, participating in our successful holiday work program, which allowed them to work at local establishments, ski stations, and educational facilities. This experience not only honed their Japanese language skills but also fostered a sense of responsibility and independence.
As students returned to a snow-covered campus after Winter Break, they delighted in the winter wonders of Karuizawa, engaging in activities such as skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, and snowshoeing. Additionally, we strengthened our ties with local schools, hosting a visit from students in Karuizawa, reaffirming our commitment to cross-cultural exchanges, despite previous disruptions caused by the pandemic.
UWC ISAK Japan International Day returned with a unique cultural event exclusive to our school, warmly open to the local community. Students dazzled with cultural performances, dances, and songs, while each country/region represented at UWC ISAK showcased its rich heritage at cultural booths, complete with information and local food prepared by students.
Spring 2023 Project Week was a transformative experience, allowing our students to refine their leadership skills by addressing critical issues and taking impactful action. The collaboration between Grade 10 and 11 students during this week was unprecedented, culminating in a compelling presentation to the entire student body and faculty. The remarkable projects spanned across Japan, Bangladesh, and India, leaving a lasting impact and highlighting the success of the Grade 10 Leadership Project redesign. More details can be found on our blog.
April saw an abundance of cultural events, such as the Chinese Culture and Language Day, French picnic, and Latin American Culture Week. Our Muslim students and faculty celebrated Ramadan by visiting the Tokyo Camii Mosque, where everyone was invited to try fasting for a period or the entire duration of Ramadan. Additionally, Danish and Maryam, two students, orchestrated a Q&A session about Islam and a secret survey to encourage open dialogue and understanding within our diverse community. Read more about this on our blog.
On May 21, we bid farewell to the Class of 2023 with a heartwarming Graduation Ceremony. This class faced significant challenges when some of their peers had to transfer to other UWC schools in the winter of 2022 due to pandemic related border restrictions in Japan. Despite this, the adversity brought them together, making their small Grade 12 class of 39 graduates one of the most united in our school’s history.
Students get a taste of UWC ISAK Japan and our experience is often a different way of education. Our main program is the Summer School, which first started in 2011, but we also run a Winter School program (since 2020). In total, 208 students had the opportunity to engage with us through our Short Programs in 2022-23 and we are constantly exploring new horizons to expand access to UWC ISAK Japan education!
For 13-14 years old students
Since 2011, Summer School has pioneered the UWC ISAK Japan approach to education. Over 13 days in late July, we welcomed 82 students from around the world to our campus in Karuizawa to explore leadership, culture, identity and more in a diverse environment. This year we had 28 nationalities represented and a team of 30 adults guide students through a life-changing experience. Summer School 2023 was rated with a 96% satisfaction level.
For 14-16 years old students
ISAKx was launched in 2020 in response to the pandemic that saw access to education constrained around the world. ISAKx operates exclusively online and seeks to bring the UWC ISAK Japan approach to education to those who couldn't otherwise attend our programs physically in Japan. This year we offered seven courses over the span of two semesters. The 2022-23 program enjoyed a 100% satisfaction rate from students.
For 12-13 years old students
Winter School is our Short Program that was born during the pandemic but has now gained a secure place in our yearly offerings. During Winter School 48 students were able to experience the beauty of our snowy campus, extensive Outdoor Education and classes around leadership, diversity and taking action. Winter School 2022 received a 91% satisfaction level from the students.
In early November of this past year, we started a process of strategic planning in the UWC ISAK Japan Board and Council meeting. This involved staff, faculty, students, and parents, as well. At that point, the thought was to develop a Strategic Plan for a three-year period from the start of next school year, 2023/2024, to take us through to the end of the school year 2025/2026. The leading idea behind a 3-year plan, in contrast to the more usual 5-year span, was to set up something that would run for only the first two years of the tenure of a new long-term Head of School, giving her time to take a leading role in the drafting of the next Strategic Plan. However, when Arden Tyoschin was appointed and it became apparent that Arden was able to spend a large part of this year on our campus, it made sense to revert to a 5-year model, which we will finalize with Arden’s direct involvement and input by May/June 2024.
The current draft has seven aims or topic areas. These are:
Throughout the past year, our whole community was engaged in looking closely at our safe guarding and care giving protocols and practices. Many areas had been identified that we felt needed attention. Two consultants were employed: Laura Earwood, who had worked at UWC ISAK for a number of years, helped hugely with safeguarding issues; and Libby Mason, recently retired from the Pearson College UWC in Canada, helped us with the further development of our advisory program. Laura visited for a week in February, and both delivered detailed and valuable reports. New positions were created for all this: Michelle Rutter fills the Deputy Head role, in charge of Pastoral Care; Christina Bonnell is our first Director of Student Welfare; and Alastair Wanklyn is Advisory Coordinator.
Priorities:
Action Points:
At UWC ISAK Japan, we encourage our students to be catalysts for positive change in an increasingly complex world. Diversity in the student community is an essential part of the student experience, their training, and individual growth. Our environment is intentionally diverse, so that all live and learn with others who represent a vast array of backgrounds and perspectives (socioeconomic, religious, cultural and more). Difference is a powerful teacher.
This truly diverse community is made possible through our robust need-based financial assistance program, which provides 70% of our students with monetary support. A significant portion of our scholarships (about 60% in 2022-2023) is generously funded by the Furusato Nozei (hometown tax) program, which sees 95% of donations go to UWC ISAK Japan scholarships and 5% towards improving education in Karuizawa. We are sincerely grateful for this trust and these contributions from all our donors and supporters.
UWC ISAK provides about 500,000,000 yen in scholarship funding, approximately one third of our annual expenditure. Other funds and support are provided directly in smaller but still significant amounts, the most significant of these being the Dare to Dream program, funded by American philanthropist and long-time friend of UWC, Shelby Davis and his family.
Click here to view of FY2022 financial statement summary
* Our students receive financial assistance fully or partially from Furusato Nozei and other sources.
Each year, our alumni continue to demonstrate what it means to realise their potential and be catalysts for positive change — not in theory, but through action in their communities and fields of work around the world.
In this first part of a series, we dive deep into the leadership projects of Class of 2025 student Manaha from Japan, beginning with her project on Peace, which was inspired by her encounters with atomic bomb survivors and her drive to spread awareness about the untold stories of Hiroshima. Follow her journey from her visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial, her meeting with in-utero A-bomb survivor, Mr. Kosei Mito-san, to her efforts to bring these stories to her peers at UWC ISAK Japan, culminating in a milestone event that contributes to UWC’s mission to educate for peace in the world.
Sayaka and Midori, two Class of 2025 students from Japan, have embarked on a journey to transform the education experience for foreign students in Japan, inspired by their own struggles with cultural barriers and a desire to bridge the divide. This story chronicles their journey from the spark that ignited Project TOMO – a chance encounter with a young American girl struggling to communicate, to tirelessly connecting with schools, parents, and organizations during the Covid-19 pandemic; ultimately developing and implementing Project TOMO with a mission to offer guidance, support, and resources to needy families, thereby fostering a more inclusive and compassionate world.
During the Spring Project Week 2023 at UWC ISAK Japan, Class of 2024 students immersed themselves in various Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) projects involving traditional Japanese handicrafts and craftsmanship, fostering cultural understanding and personal growth through hands-on experiences in Japanese joinery, indigo dyeing, and pottery and ceramics. These activities, which included constructing a wooden bench with a local craftsman, creating indigo-dyed textiles inspired by a trip to Kyoto, and learning pottery styles and participating in a tea ceremony with a renowned ceramic artist, deepened their appreciation for the dedication, skill, and cultural significance of these traditional crafts, ultimately culminating in the creation of a set of ceramics as a gift for the graduating Grade 12 class.
Himanshu, a proud alumnus of UWC ISAK’s pioneering Class of 2017 and native of Nepal, has journeyed from a boarding school in India, to UWC ISAK Japan, to Colby College before serving as a Clinical Research Coordinator at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He is now pursuing his Masters of Public Health at Harvard University. Through it all, he has been deeply influenced by his experiences at UWC ISAK, where he learned the importance of a broad and critical approach to learning, balancing life and work, and acting as a catalyst for positive change. His journey reflects a dedication to uplifting developing countries like Nepal and maintaining strong bonds with his alma mater and fellow alumni, showcasing the enduring impact of UWC ISAK on personal growth, career aspirations, and the importance of community and a balanced perspective on life and work.
Mayuki, a passionate and innovative alum from Nagaoka, Japan (Class of 2021), is committed to to revolutionizing education in Japan (and beyond). From her time at UWC ISAK Japan to her studies at Pitzer College, she has consistently pursued projects aimed at empowering young minds, such as organizing a Startup Weekend in Nagaoka, founding ‘Asuiku Wasuiku’ and ‘IBJP’, and currently working on building an international online school for children with ADHD and/or ASD. Despite facing challenges such as a late diagnosis of Pervasive Development Disorder and the pressures of the IB Diploma, Mayuki’s determination, adaptability, and commitment to making a positive impact on the world have been unwavering.
Obede (Class of 2019), a student of Vanderbilt University and an alumn of UWC ISAK, returned to his home country, South Sudan, with a mission to promote peace and equality by addressing gender-based violence and peace-building strategies through workshops, which won him the Nichols Humanitarian Fund award and attracted key speakers, including the Former Presidential Advisor in the Office of the President of South Sudan. His journey exemplifies the impact of UWC ISAK’s values and leadership principles, highlighting the importance of harnessing diversity, paying it forward, and fostering meaningful connections for positive global change.
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Global Politics
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English, TOK
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Director of Student Welfare
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University Advisor
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Deputy Head of School - Academics
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Head of School
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The generosity of our Founders, Catalyst Supporters, and donors who have made a life-changing education possible for students from around the world. Donations of every size support the mission of UWC ISAK Japan and we thank everyone who has contributed to our school. Please see the full list of our supporters here.
Yasushi Ando Scholarship
Junko Fukutake Scholarship
Hitoshi Honda Scholarship
Honjo Scholarship
Teruko Honjo Scholarship
Hidehiro Imatsu Scholarship
Iuchi Scholarship
Shigeru Sato Scholarship
Makiko Suehiro Scholarship
Goldman Sachs
Ichigo Asset Scholarship
YKK Holding Asia Scholarship
W&M Solar Power Scholarship*
Canyon Capital Japan Scholarship
HSBC Group Scholarship
Nomura Holdings Scholarship
Proverbs 16:16 Scholarship
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank Scholarship
The Nippon Foundation Scholarship
Davis-UWC Scholars Program
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.
LIXIL Group Corporation
SECOM Co., Ltd.
airweave inc.
Morrison & Foerster LLP/Registered Associated Offices of Ito & Mitomi
TMI Associates
IDEO Tokyo
Panasonic Corporation
McKinsey & Company Japan
Bain & Company, Inc
*Proceeds from the sale of electricity generated by solar equipment purchased with donated funds are being used to fund scholarships.
View the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Statutory Auditors and Councils.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado
Lin Kobayashi (CHAIR)
Mamoru Taniya
Masahiro Koshiba
Mariko Magnan
Malcolm McKenzie
Shusaku Minoda
Ryo Ohira
Toru Shimada
Charlotte Yew
Fumio Tateishi (CHAIR)
Yasuchika Hasegawa
Yasushi Hatakeyama
Hidehiko Hayashi
Hidehiro Imatsu
Kakutaro Kitashiro
Hiroko Kono
Takashi Murata
Shigeru Sato
Teruhide Sato
Kan Suzuki
Makoto Takano
Kotaro Yamagishi
Kimiya Yamamoto
Masakazu Yanagisawa
Yasuhiro Wakebayashi
Ryusuke Honjyo
Yasushi Ando
Kenji Hosokawa
Naoki Tamura
Suguru Miyake (CHAIR)
Benjamin Blum
Nicolas Carter
Ronna Chao
Kenji Govaers
Masahisa Ikeda
Tomonori Ito
Kei Iwashita
Shing Siah Lee
Malcolm McKenzie
Haruki Kamiyama
Lin Kobayashi
Yojiro Koizumi
Marcos Melero
Gen Miyazawa
Ryo Ohira
Wataru Sado
Toru Shimada
Norio Takamatsu
Miho Tanimoto
Mamoru Taniya
Charlotte Yew
* Honorary Catalyst Supporter
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