This report is our opportunity to inform and inspire our global community. Here, you will find highlights of the 2024-25 academic year and updates on how we have pursued our unique school mission.
The 10th anniversary event was a time to deepen our conviction that UWC ISAK has been a school built by students and their peers — and that it will continue to be so in the future. Each student has helped shape the school by thinking for themselves, taking action, and creating change. This spirit is the driving force of ISAK and our hope for what lies ahead.
The transition from motto to vision has also clarified ISAK’s core values. Rooted in the spirit of “One Life” — the philosophy of living one’s life to the fullest while staying connected to others and to nature — it carries a powerful message: your life is yours to shape.
With this vision in mind, I truly believe that ISAK students will face global challenges such as division and climate change head-on, and become the ones who build a better future by connecting across national and cultural differences.
The global situation continues to grow more complex, and divisions are deepening. It’s easy to say we should “understand diverse perspectives,” but the challenge of putting that into practice is something we feel every day.
Now in our 11th year, thanks to the continued support of our community of supporters, we’ve once again been able to provide scholarships to 70% of our students. This has allowed us to sustain a learning environment rich in both depth and diversity. We are deeply grateful to our community of supporters for making this possible.
In a time like this, nurturing young people who can act with conviction feels more urgent than ever. This year, we witnessed the launch of the Alumni Action Fund (AAF)—a new initiative to invest in UWC ISAK Japan graduates as they take their first steps into society. The fund’s first investment is a startup founded by an alum working to bring digital transformation to Japan’s manufacturing sector through AI.
One of the most memorable moments of the year came during our graduation ceremony in May, when a student shared these words in her farewell speech:
“Wars around the world. The anxious eyes of classmates. A growing number of unprecedented natural disasters. Is the future really something to look forward to? Is it even safe? I found myself starting to lose confidence.
“But I learned at ISAK: We cannot afford to wait. We cannot stay silent. We must speak. We must act—through dialogue. Even when we disagree. Especially when we disagree.
Trying to understand another’s perspective is the clearest way to show you truly care.”
There are things our generation couldn’t accomplish—but perhaps they can. With renewed hope for the future and a shared sense of purpose, we step into the next year together.
To our community of supporters who make this possible, to the faculty and staff who meet daily challenges with dedication, and to our Board of Directors, Councilors, and Auditors—thank you for walking alongside us.
This past year at UWC ISAK Japan has been a powerful reminder that learning extends far beyond the classroom—it’s a way of approaching life with curiosity, intention, and a readiness to grow.
One of the most significant steps we’ve taken this year is the elevation of our school motto to our vision: One life | Realize your potential | Be a catalyst for positive change, serving as a daily call to action and the heartbeat for our community,
Our students continually answer that call in remarkable ways, from wellness workshops, to sustainability initiatives, to fieldwork on medical poverty and access to healthcare. Their leadership has been bold and meaningful.
These are not just school projects, they are expressions of deep care, agency, and a desire to make a difference, so deeply needed in this tumultuous world. At ISAK, we also see hope. Our students strive to live our mission as undaunted altruistic visionaries, with a strong grounding in practical solutions. While they may not always get it right, they learn from their mistakes and recover from setbacks.
As we reflect on this year, I want to thank our wonderful community for continuing to challenge the status quo. In this next year, we look to our new Strategy – watch for community stories throughout next year!
Thanks to our students, their families, our faculty and staff, alumni, and the dedication and generosity of our Board, Council, Founders and Supporters, your belief in our vision makes it possible for our students to grow into the kind of leaders the world needs most.
We end this year not with certainty, but with conviction, that even in a tumultuous world, there is hope. And that hope lives in the actions, voices, and vision of our students.
As catalysts for positive change, we:
In August, we marked 10 years since UWC ISAK Japan’s founding. Students, alumni, families, and supporters gathered to reflect on how far we’ve come—and to look ahead. The day was filled with connection, celebration, and a shared sense of purpose.
On September 21, we held a combined UWC Day and International Culture and Education Festival under the theme “Together We Change.” Over 150 guests joined us on campus for workshops, a flag parade, cultural booths, and a classical concert—celebrating the diversity that defines our community.
Grade 10s launched their first CAS projects with guidance from visiting entrepreneurs. Grade 11-12 students built on past work or shared final outcomes. The week gave students across all grades a chance to test ideas, reflect, and take action. See more on the Leaders’ Beacon Blog.
Led by the ICE Club, students hosted our annual Gratitude Dinner—a time to thank the staff and faculty who support them every day. Simple, sincere, and student-led, the evening captured the spirit of appreciation that runs through our campus.
We welcomed Naina and Akil as the new leaders of SNOW (Student Council). Outgoing president Niko passed the torch with this reflection: “Serving as SNOW president was a journey of self-discovery in pursuit of idealism.”
The theatre program staged Our Town by Thornton Wilder—a story about everyday life and the moments that often pass unnoticed. The production was thoughtful, moving, and well attended, thanks to the work of a dedicated student team.
We were joined by members of the OpenAI team for a special opportunity to discuss the future of AI and its place in education. Their visit sparked questions, ideas, and honest conversations across campus. Special thanks to Gen Miyazawa for making the visit possible.
March saw the return of Entrepreneur Weekend, where students launched early-stage ideas over a fast-paced 54-hour sprint. The event was entirely student-led and built on momentum from last fall’s Startup Weekend in Nagoya. Read more on the Leaders’ Beacon Blog.
Students explored Nagano’s culture and history through four Discover Shinshu trips—made possible by a generous donor. From Edo-period math puzzles to hikes on the Nakasendo trail, each journey offered new ways to connect with the region we call home.
We celebrated the Class of 2025 with a ceremony full of heart, gratitude, and community. That same week, our Annual Summit brought alumni and supporters back to campus for conversations about ISAK’s next chapter—including plans for new graduation pathways and expanded leadership programs. We closed the month with our most ambitious Entrepreneur Weekend yet, where students showed that ideas only matter if you act on them. Watch our student Arunabh’s highlights video here.
At UWC ISAK Japan, diversity is not just something we value—it’s central to how our students learn and grow. Our community brings together young people from a wide range of backgrounds—socioeconomic, cultural, religious, and more. This mix of perspectives shapes a powerful learning environment and helps students develop the tools they need to lead in a complex world.
To support this intentionally diverse community, we offer a need-based Financial Assistance program. In FY2024 (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2025), we were able to offer scholarships to 71.8% of our students. A large share of this funding comes from Furusato Nozei. We are grateful for the trust our donors place in us.
Our 10th anniversary fundraising effort, Celebrate & Sustain, brought together students, alumni, parents, faculty, and staff. The campaign fully funded the furnishing of our Phase 6 buildings and helped us strengthen our financial base.
We also continue to build our Endowment Fund—an important step toward long-term financial sustainability. This year’s contributions included a range of gifts, including stock.
*For FY2024, we are grateful for the extraordinary gifts received to celebrate our 10th Year Anniversary. To ensure the long-term stability of our scholarship program, we will continue to dedicate a portion of our resources each year to the UWC ISAK Japan Endowment Fund.
* Our students receive scholarship 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.
Japanese alum Junpei is building a fast-growing AI startup with support from the Alumni Action Fund. Drawing on his experience at ISAK and the University of Tokyo, he co-founded a company focused on applying AI in practical, scalable ways. The venture has already attracted attention from investors and partners across Asia, and Junpei credits early backing from alumni mentors as key to its growth. Watch the video here.
Viktor (Slovakia / Class of 2018) studied political economy and cyber law at UCL and Humboldt University before rising through the tech sector. He led global teams at Exponea and Bloomreach, and now serves as VP of Revenue Enablement at SAP Emarsys. Viktor often draws on his ISAK experience, especially around inclusive leadership. “The ISAK community lasts much longer than you think,” he says. Read more.
Ismat Musafir (Afghanistan / Class of 2019) founded Education for Everyone (E4E) at ISAK to expand access to education in Afghanistan. Since then, E4E has built libraries and adapted to challenges like the Taliban’s restrictions on girls’ education. Ismat has pursued degrees in business and global management while continuing nonprofit work in Canada. “Being a catalyst for positive change is the most important value I carry with me,” he says. Read more.
The Alumni Action Fund (AAF) is a JPY100 million initiative supporting startups led by UWC ISAK alumni. While independently operated and not financed by the school, the Fund is a powerful example of collaboration between our founders, Catalyst supporters, and alumni—grounded in a shared belief in our graduates’ potential to be catalysts for positive change. The AAF provides capital, mentorship, and long-term support, with plans to back 10–20 alumni-led ventures by 2030. Its first investment—an AI startup led by Class of 2022 alum Junpei—is already underway. Read the story here.
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.
We are grateful for all of the special supporters that have greatly contributed to our Endowment Fund and our 10th Year Anniversary Fundraising Efforts.
* Note that only supporters who meet certain criteria are published here.
UWC ISAK Japan’s alumni community of over 590 members represents 127 different nationalities, each striving to bring positive change around the globe. Our alumni pursue higher education at prestigious institutions, including Ivy League universities such as Yale, Princeton, Cornell, and Brown; leading universities in their fields such as the National University of Singapore and the University of the Arts London; and top Japanese universities such as the University of Tokyo, Waseda, Keio, and International Christian University (ICU). UWC ISAK Japan graduates follow diverse paths, with many embracing gap years, volunteering, or entrepreneurial projects.
View the Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Statutory Auditors and Councils.
Chair
Lin Kobayashi
Auditors
Tony Insung Cha
Chair
Gen Miyazawa
Chair
Fumio Tateishi
Listed in alphabetical order
* Honorary Founder
‡ Contribution made through Goldman Sachs Gives
** Honorary Catalyst Supporter
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