Munkhsuuri works as an assistant project manager for a Canadian real estate company in Japan. Previously, he worked as an architect and project manager in Mongolia, where he was involved in various interior design, architectural design, and construction projects. He also ran his own interior design business in Mongolia before pursuing a master's degree in architecture at the Tokyo Institute of Technology on a MEXT scholarship.
Besides his work, he is committed to organizing and participating in English leadership programs, global study workshops, and cultural understanding lectures with Japanese middle and high school students, as well as other international students. He draws on his experience as a teacher at a high school in Mongolia and as an international student in Japan to enhance student’s global education awareness in Japan. Being an active member of the Global Shapers Community Yokohama hub, he also serves as the Vice Head of Externals for the MEXT Scholars Association.
Kiyoka Tokumasu is a Japanese American who has lived, studied, and worked in the United States, Japan, and Sweden. These diverse experiences have shaped her worldview and inspired her passion for driving positive social impact through education, youth empowerment, and global citizenship.
Currently, she leads the education programs at the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, partnering with academic institutions to provide students with opportunities to explore international business and foster cross-cultural understanding. She collaborates with companies, government agencies, and industry leaders to contribute to advancing the international business ecosystem in Japan.
A graduate of the International Christian University, Kiyoka is an active One Young World Ambassador, World Economic Forum Global Shaper, and US-Japan Council Associate Leader.
Hobbies are sports (having been a former USA Gymnastics Junior Olympics Team Gymnast), taking walks in Kamakura, reading, and embracing new adventures!
Assistant at i.school, an innovation education program / Researcher at WIRED Sci-Fi Prototype Lab
Born in 1996, Fukushima, Japan. Chihiro studied in a laboratory on community development with residents participation through Labour Based Technology, specializing in urban development. He graduated from Takushoku University in 2019 as a recipient of the top prize in the on-campus essay contest, a study incentive scholarship student, a Katsura Taro Juku scholarship student, and the President's Award of the Alumni Association (Outstanding Undergraduate Student).
After graduating from the university, he worked as a staff of a prefectural university and a special researcher (design research) at a regional research institute before becoming independent. He is mainly engaged in planning and internal communication in the field of education.
Crowdfunding Service Office, BORDERLESS JAPAN, Inc. Founder, Dialogue Radio.
Yuka Fujii, born in 1998, is a passionate intrapreneur dedicated to building a social infrastructure where diverse individuals can thrive. She began her career at Borderless Japan, contributing to the launch of new businesses and creating platforms for social entrepreneurs. She later joined PEOPLE PORT Corp., a group company focused on creating employment opportunities for refugees and asylum seekers in Japan, while addressing environmental challenges like e-waste through its refurbishing PC business, ZERO PC.
At PEOPLE PORT, Yuka played a key role in rebuilding production lines and strengthening the technical team for ZERO PC, working closely with engineers from refugee backgrounds. From April to August 2024, she co-managed ZERO PC with the CEO, navigating the organization through its second founding phase. During this period, she spearheaded efforts to scale the refurbishing operations, which not only provided meaningful work for displaced individuals but also contributed to reducing electronic waste and promoting a circular economy. Currently, she focuses on fostering partnerships with diverse stakeholders and creating an inclusive workplace where multicultural and multigenerational teams can fully realize their potential.
In her free time, you can find her driving, watching movies, or skiing on the slope.
Management consultant
Yuka has had a strong passion for biodiversity conservation and earned B.Sc. and M.Sc. in ecology from the University of Tokyo. She is the founder of “Mend It Mine,” a sustainable fashion movement to tackle the serious impact of the fashion industry, which has been featured by multiple media organizations, such as NHK World and some of the major Japanese newspapers. She has engaged in varied sustainability-focused activities, including founding an organization placing students at UN Climate Conference (SUS+ UTokyo), attending UN ECOSOC Youth Forum, completing an internship at Conservation International, and working as a Global Ambassador at The Better Tomorrow Movement. In her master’s program, she studied wildlife conservation and entrepreneurship at the University of Washington as an exchange student. She currently works as a management consultant specializing in sustainability.
Freelancer
Lisa’s life mission has always been to create a safe place where all potential thrives. Influenced by her upbringing as a third culture kid and her little sister, Eri with down syndrome. From her experience working in branding, marketing, and creative production, she takes part in communication design to blend the weak into a broader context. She currently works as a freelancer, working as a PR/Design lead in a flower shop in Harajuku, more than half of its employees are with some potential. She is also the founder of “goof club” where she invites people from different backgrounds to create an experimental space where everyone’s roles are fluid. She believes in “the comfort in chaos”. Outside of work, you can find her in her kitchen experimenting or indulging in a book on her couch.
Tech Era Education Program Lead
Atoka Jo, born and raised in Japan, received her undergraduate degree from New York University Abu Dhabi and her Master’s degree from Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University. During her studies, she was involved in research and projects related to education and development economics in Argentina, Ghana, and Costa Rica, and interned at the United Nations in New York. In Japan, she founded and currently runs a liberal arts summer program at Himeji Girls’ High School. She also holds a role as the Education Program Lead at TechEra, a non-profit organization in Ghana. Selected to attend the World Economic Forum Davos Conference 2022 as one of the 50 Global Shapers. Masayoshi Son Foundation Scholar. Global Shaper. G7 Youth 2019 Japan Representative. One Young World 2018 Japan Representative.
Kohana is from Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Interested in symbiosis with nature and environmental/social values in capitalist societies, she studied abroad in Gothenburg, Sweden during university. After returning to Japan, Kohana was active in environmental youth NGOs such as Climate Youth Japan and ClimateScience. In 2021, she was selected to COP26 as a youth delegate and spoke at the Japan and Korea pavilions. Kohana graduated from the Faculty of Law at Keio University. Since 2022, she has been working at a chemical and precision medical device manufacturer. After experiencing business planning and supply chain management, currently exploring the launch of a renewable energy business in the new business development group.
Haris is a Japan based AI researcher with over 5 years of experience working in Japanese academia and industry in the fields of Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Human-AI interaction. Haris came to Japan in 2020 as a Japanese government sponsored MEXT scholar to study Masters in AI from Tokyo Institute of Science (Tokyo Tech). He later served as the president of MEXT Scholars Association (MSA), a community of 8000+ international MEXT scholars in Japan where he is currently serving as advisor.
His interests revolve around science, community building and driving change through technology. He is an active part of several tech and non-tech communities in Japan.
Socials: linktr.ee/harisgulzar
Management Consultant
Masako is a Seattle-raised returnee with a strong interest in sustainability and gender issues. While working as a consultant in the field of sustainability, she led the development of in-house SDG solutions and was selected to represent her company at the One Young World Summit for her contributions to sustainability and I&D initiatives.
She has co-authored a report on plastics and actively engaged in discussions on climate change, including participating in dialogues with overseas youth in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
During her student years, Masako studied international politics and gender in Japan and France, engaging in diverse activities such as refugee support and parliamentary work. Masako is fluent in Japanese, English, and French.
Alireza, an engineering consultant based in Tokyo, was born and raised in Tehran, Iran. After earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Tehran, he moved to Austria, where he worked at Johannes Kepler University.
He later relocated to Japan to pursue graduate studies in Technology and Innovation Management at the University of Tokyo. Alireza’s career spans diverse industries, including automotive, construction, energy, and AI, across settings as varied as a startup in Iran, a university in Austria, and a major consulting firm in Japan. Passionate about leveraging technology to address global challenges and drive societal transformation, he views innovation as a cornerstone of sustainable economic growth. In his free time, Alireza delves into innovation policies, management, and strategies for fostering innovation within society.
TMWLP Mentee of 2018-2019、UNDP Movers Community、Ex-Global Shapers Bangkok Volunteer
Born in 1996, from Ginowan, Okinawa, an area surrounded by the US military base. Majored in local tourism since always curious about diverse culture and its coexistence.
Living in Thailand for 5 years after graduating from university.
She is currently working in a customer success division of food tech company, after working as a BtoB sales in Bangkok.
Aside from work, she has been a Movers facilitator under UNDP in order to provide SDGs workshop for youth in APAC. In 2023, she organized SHAPE APAC as a part of Global Shapers Bangkok hub to accommodate 150 participants from all over the world. In 2024, she initiated “The Caring Club” which is first mental health project in Yokohama hub, and working together with Yokohama Mirai Sozo Kaigi to establish the prototype.
Program Lead, Venture Café Tokyo
Kohaku graduated from Babson College (MA, USA) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Administration. While attending an international school in Tokyo, he achieved first place in the WRO JAPAN 2013 Tokyo Regional Competition and third place in the National Presentation Division. He also represented East Japan in the FIRST LEGO LEAGUE 2014 National Finals (while attending elementary school). He then transferred to Northfield Mount Hermon School (MA, USA) in 2017 at the age of 15, where he developed an interest in education and entrepreneurship. In 2020, he enrolled in Babson College, ranked No. 1 in entrepreneurship for 28 consecutive years, and now ranked the 2nd best college in the U.S.
During his university years, he expanded his activities through internships at multiple startups, leadership roles on campus, and as a lecturer and program designer for high schools and universities in Japan and middle schools abroad, focusing on the "entrepreneurial lifestyle." From January to April 2023, he studied abroad at IE Business School in Spain as an exchange student.
In 2023, he joined Venture Café Tokyo and launched "Community Campus," an entrepreneurial education program commissioned by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which he currently takes part in.
<Media Coverage and Appearances>
Featured in Chuunichi Shimbun, Toyama Shimbun, Toyama TV, TV Tokyo, Nippon TV, Yahoo! News, and more.
Student at Yokohama International School
Ambassador at Yokohama Connect, Venture Cafe
Amelia is an English-Danish-Japanese mix, born in 2006 in London, UK, and moved to Japan when she was 2. She went to a local Japanese elementary school for 6 years, a term in Scotland, and then started YIS from middle school. She has a passion for psychology, along with environmental science and various DEI topics (Gender, LGBTQ+, disability etc). Amelia is an ambassador for Yokohama Connect (YC) Venture cafe, and enjoys meeting and connecting with new people. Amelia has engaged in many social events and has assisted in Workshops around organisational change and sustainability. In her free time, she enjoys participating in Spartan Races, martial arts (Aikido, Kali Majapahit), and field hockey.
Ryota Yasui is a graduate from a Master of Arts degree in Social Development at the University of Sussex in Brighton, UK, with a strong focus on Japan’s Immigration and Refugee Policy. His main passion is advocating for child and immigrant rights in hosting countries. He is currently working at a UN agency as an internship to gain practical experience and raise awareness about refugee and child rights in the development sector and in Japan. His hobbies include playing tennis, running, enjoying coffee, and practicing Daito Ryu (Japanese martial arts).
Sumire is studying local administration and intercultural communication in the faculty of Political Science and Economy at Meiji university. (Currently taking a two year gap) When she was a high school student, she became cognizant of the prevalent issues surrounding “ the way of school rules” in Japan. Therefore, she participated in a project which is called “ rule making project” from non profit organization KATARIBA to make movements for reforming rules nationwide. Moreover, she established a student organization with her friends in her hometown Kamakura, to make a community based on traditional Japanese houses. She gathered young people to do DIY, paint the walls in those houses, and hold events with the business owners in Kamakura.
After she became a university student, she studied abroad in the Netherlands as a TOBITATE to make her dream come true, which is playing football overseas since she started to play football, and researching the Dutch educational system to find children’s well-being. Besides, she is teaching English as a tutor, belonging to Suzukan Seminar and Global shaper Yokohama hub.
Junior Researcher at the Peace Research Institute and PhD Candidate
Elizabeth Gamarra holds dual master’s degrees in Mental Health (U.S.) and Peace Studies (Japan) and has completed postgraduate studies in Human Rights Diplomacy (Australia). She has previously worked as a therapist at Huntsman Hospital and later as a junior analyst and researcher at the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and the Academic Council for the United Nations System. Additionally, Elizabeth is a two-time TEDx speaker, Fulbright Scholar at IE University, Rotary Peace Fellow, MEXT Scholar, CWAJ Scholar, and the U.S. Delegate for the Y20/G20 in 2023. She is currently pursuing a PhD in International Relations specializing in discourse analysis and securitization theory. Alongside her doctoral work, she serves as a junior researcher at the Peace Research Institute, a lecturer at Obirin University, and the co-founder of the podcast RadioNatura, which explores the intersections of human rights and the environment.
With a vision of building a society where 'social good' is structurally valued, Midori is currently dedicating her passion to infrastructure finance in her professional work at a Japanese bank, as well as voluntarily and enthusiastically engaged in the Youth Policy Proposal project for TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development).
She majored in Development Economics at university and has relevant experiences, including an internship at an agritech startup in Ghana, attending the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and conducting research on microinsurance involving more than 1,000 people in the Philippines. These experiences now drive her to finance infrastructure, particularly in emerging countries, while raising youth voices with changemakers from Japan, Africa, and around the globe through the Policy Proposal project.
Management Consultant
Chinatsu is a passionate individual who has a strong curiosity about “people and organization.”
Utilizing her experience of living abroad, she taught English to kids 2-8 for more than three years, and studied education policies and language education at university.
After graduation, she works at a management consulting firm and primarily engages with financial sectors over 4 years. Currently, she is joining the L&D team and social-transformation initiative to further pursue her passion.
Bachelor of Arts (Politics) from Waseda University. Delegate of One Young World 2023. Global Shaper since 2024.
Thiri is from Myanmar and came to Japan in 2023 as a Japanese Government (MEXT) scholar. She is currently a research student at Keio University and plans to begin her MBA studies next year. With a degree in Japanese Studies and four years of professional experience at a Japanese company as an IT consultant, she specializes in cross-cultural business operations, technology solutions, and data analysis.
Passionate about women’s empowerment and community resilience, Thiri draws inspiration from Japan’s disaster recovery efforts and urban planning to contribute to Myanmar’s reconstruction and development. She is particularly focused on leveraging data-driven strategies and technological expertise to address challenges in developing economies.
Vice Director, NPO EdFuture
Founder & CEO, Montage
Born in Kyoto in 1998. During high school, a short-term study abroad experience in Canada sparked an interest in the wider world.
With the vision of creating a society where “everyone can take a step forward in their own way,” he founded and now operates study abroad programs at an NPO. He provides opportunities such as the World Terakoya Program for high school students who might otherwise have had to give up on studying abroad due to financial constraints or regional disparities. He also designs and manages online inquiry-based learning programs.
These initiatives have received support from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the U.S. Embassy in Japan, the Embassy of Japan in Ireland, and Education in Ireland.
Joined the Global Shapers Community Kyoto Hub in 2019 and served as Curator in 2022. Transferred to the Yokohama Hub in 2025.
Kamakura City Council Member / Mizuho Bank Employee
Chika Kato grew up in Yokohama and attended Kamakura Jogakuin Junior and Senior High School, where she practiced tea ceremony and served on the student council. She majored in Modern Chinese Studies at university, traveling across China by sleeper train and interning with a member of Japan’s House of Representatives. After joining Mizuho Bank, she worked in corporate finance, providing loans and business support to companies. Following the unexpected discovery of a serious illness, surgery, and a period of leave, she was reminded of her original motivation for public service. In October 2024, while still employed, she became the youngest female candidate nationwide to run for the House of Representatives. With the understanding and encouragement of her workplace and local residents, she was elected as a Kamakura City Council member in May 2025. Her hobbies include travel and exploring historical sites. She is delighted to serve her community.
NPO Youth For Future/Founder & Executive Director
Emre Caglar is a third-year Economics student at Keio University with a strong passion for education and social innovation. He is the Founder & Executive Director of Youth For Future (YFF), a nonprofit organization empowering children in care homes across Japan through self-discovery, project-based learning, and life skills development. Under his leadership, YFF supports children in creating their own passion projects to foster independence and confidence. In recognition of his leadership, Emre was selected as a One Young World Japan Scholar for the 2024 Montreal Summit.
Beyond his nonprofit work, he interns at Horizon Japan International School, where he contributes to the school’s service learning program. Emre is deeply committed to youth empowerment and, as an aspiring educator specializing in service learning, aims to continue growing in the field of education.
International Preschool Teacher
Yuuka Kuribayashi was born in Tokyo in 2003 and currently lives in Kamakura. She majored in Education and now works as an early childhood educator at an international preschool near Yuigahama Beach. Surrounded by Kamakura’s rich nature, culture, and diversity, she finds daily inspiration in people’s connections and community life. During university, she became interested in education in developing countries and joined an ESD project in Sri Lanka in collaboration with JICA. Influenced by Angela Lee Duckworth’s concept of “Grit,” Yuuka values passion and perseverance as her guiding principles. She is particularly interested in English education through music and aims to contribute to creating a society where children can actively shape their own futures.
Financial Specialist
Bat-Uchral is a finance specialist at an American financial services company in Tokyo. Passionate about creating positive impact, he has been actively involved in various student clubs and volunteer activities during his university years, taking on both leadership and member roles.
Before entering the finance field, Bat-Uchral also worked as a project manager for green initiatives, where he learned the importance of sustainability and collaboration. He enjoys being in multicultural environments and working with young, diverse people toward shared goals.
Outside of work, he loves playing team sports and staying active through activities that connect people and build community.
Management Consultant/Business DataScietist
Ryugo is a IT consultant with a multicultural background, having lived in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Japan. He studied Intellectual Property and Financial Law at Chuo University, where he also interned at an IT law firm and spent a year abroad in Calgary, Canada. Through experiences at the Harvard Business School Japan Program LTM and BOSCH, he developed a strong interest in bridging business and technology. After graduation, he began his career as an IT consultant at Accenture’s joint venture, supporting clients in driving digital transformation. Outside of work, Ryugo enjoys soccer, surfing, and fencing.
Alopecia Awareness Advocate & Multidisciplinary Creator
Born in 2000, raised in Hong Kong, and based in Japan. During her student years, she developed alopecia and began creating and exhibiting works that explore the meaning of hair and its connection to identity. Through expressions of baldness and the use of wigs, her art celebrates diverse forms of beauty and challenges conventional femininity. On social media, she shares her everyday experiences and reflections as a woman living with alopecia, aiming to inspire and empower others with similar journeys. She is also the creator of CyCy Media, a bilingual platform that spotlights Japan’s cultural and creative scene for global audiences. In 2026, she plans to launch Bald Talk, a podcast dedicated to empowering women living with alopecia.
Yuki Okawara is a sustainability professional with a strong academic foundation and hands-on experience in climate action, energy transition, and environmental education. Holding an MSc in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Edinburgh, with distinction, she currently works at Green Innovation, a Japanese educational charity that empowers university students and young professionals to engage with climate and sustainability challenges. In this role, she manages partnerships with private corporations, ministries, and NGOs. She also serves as an ESG consultant, supporting private and public organisations in achieving net-zero goals through training on carbon accounting, SBTi target setting, and global disclosure frameworks such as CDP.
Yuki is passionate about bridging research, education, and policy to accelerate Japan’s transition to a sustainable society and is recognised for her proactive communication and analytical expertise.
Management Consultant
Violinist
Neuroscientist
Miyu Imai is a Tokyo/New York–based violinist, neuroscience researcher, and management consultant. At age ten, she became the youngest student ever admitted to The Juilliard School. She studied neuroscience and economics at Harvard University, conducting brain research and publishing academic papers, while simultaneously completing jazz performance and music production studies at Berklee College of Music, earning the first dual degree from both institutions. She has led international projects promoting medical support in Bolivia and AR/VR education initiatives, integrating music, technology, and healthcare to create social impact. Currently, Miyu works as a management consultant in Tokyo while continuing to perform music across the United States and Japan, pursuing innovative, interdisciplinary approaches that bridge art, science, and the global community.
Takeda Buyanbileg is a Japanese-Mongolian, who grew up in a diverse international environment with open-mindedness, curiosity and passion for connecting with people around the world. She earned her B.A. in Law with a minor in Development Studies from International Christian University, evaluated as a graduate degree level.
As a responsible and critically thinking global citizen, she strongly advocates for access to justice, human rights, women's empowerment, Asian culture, peace, responsible consumerism and eco-centrism. Inspired by French author Jean Giono's works, she believes in the power of individual action to create positive societal change and protect our shared planet.
Alongside her work as a legal assistant in the private sector, she is a member of the Human Security Forum and currently on the organizing team for the 14th Asia Pro Bono Conference 2026 in Fukuoka.