Women's Initiative for Sustainable Empowerment

Dear Supporters,

Thank you, as always, for your warm encouragement and generosity. Building on the remarkable momentum from WISE Suwa–Shiojiri, we are excited to share our next chapter: WISE in Obuse, planned for 2026.

Over the years, WISE has grown into a community with lasting influence. What begins as a small workshop often expands into meaningful, ongoing change for participants and their communities. We are pleased to share that our network of WISE Fellows has now grown to over 360, a testament to your support and the dedication of everyone involved.

This September, our team spent time in the town of Obuse in Nagano Prefecture. We met with the mayor and local leaders who expressed strong enthusiasm for collaborating with us, and we were able to bring together an excellent group of mentors who are eager to guide the next cohort.

Although Obuse is known for its beautiful agricultural products—grapes, apples, and chestnuts—the town, like many rural areas, continues to face economic strain and uneven recovery in tourism. In addition, young people and women still encounter barriers rooted in traditional expectations and subtle forms of bias. These community dynamics can limit their opportunities to step forward with confidence.

At JSIE, we remain committed to creating spaces where youth and women can discover their strengths, broaden their perspectives, and explore new possibilities for themselves and their communities. Your continued support enables us to keep offering these opportunities, and we are truly grateful.

We look forward to sharing more updates as preparations for WISE in Obuse 2026 move ahead, and we sincerely hope you will consider visiting the town with us.

Warm regards,