About Us

FEW was founded in 1981 by two foreign female entrepreneurs wishing to create a professional and social network among foreign women in Tokyo. The organization was aptly named Foreign Executive Women or FEW. FEW has evolved tremendously since its inception. There are now two chapters, one in Tokyo and one in Osaka, with a current membership of over 250 foreign women. Members include a broad cross section of professionals from marketers, journalists, entertainment specialists, attorneys and bankers to freelance photographers, translators and entrepreneurs in a variety of industries. Members also include women at the start of their careers such as students and interns.

Members come from 20 countries worldwide, work in over 50 fields and plan to stay in Japan for 2-5 years. A third of members use Japanese extensively in their work place, and a further third have basic Japanese ability. About 40% of our members have come to Japan because of a spousal transfer. The age range is from the early twenties to the late fifties.

Today, FEW is a business and social networking organization whose aim is to help foreign women in Japan achieve their full professional and/or personal potential. Reaching beyond “executive women”, FEW welcomes women from all professional backgrounds and at all stages of their careers and focuses on networking, career development as well as social and volunteer activities.

FEW is a non-profit organization solely funded by membership dues, meeting fees and sponsorship. FEW offers its members the supportive and warm surroundings of the foreign female environment to establish employment contacts or simply to network and make a new group of friends.

Below are examples of FEW’s activities and publications:

Monthly Meetings: The monthly meeting provides a venue for networking and presentations by acclaimed community and business leaders. Members exchange information about themselves and get the opportunity to make new friends and contacts. Meetings are usually held on the second Thursday of every month (except August) from 6.30pm.

Special Events: Organized on an ad-hoc basis, these can include financial planning seminars, training workshops, social gatherings or cultural visits. Our special events provide opportunities to enhance networking among FEW members. This includes the Eating Club which meets every other month to sample the varied delights of Tokyo’s many restaurants.

Career Strategies Seminar: FEW’s flagship event, this one day seminar is held every year and a half. The Career Stategies Seminar brings together professional women from a variety of industries to discuss career strategies, tactics and opportunities for foreign women looking to change careers or seeking employment in Japan.

Charity Events: FEW arranges charity events which in the past have included cherry blossom picnics, BBQs and Halloween trick-or-treat. FEW’s favorite charities are often related to women and children in need in Japan and a portion of FEW profits go to them every year. The FEW year-end party also serves as a fundraising event.

Publications: The Volunteering Directory, researched and produced by FEW’s Community Service Committee, catalogues numerous, hard to find volunteering organizations in Tokyo. It is available free of charge. The Career Guide is published as a supplement to the Career Strategies Seminar and provides a wealth of information, resources and guidelines for the foreign female job seeker in Japan. The Website (www.fewjapan.com) is the best real-time way to learn about FEW and its ongoing activities. The Membership Directory is an annual publication distributed to all FEW members. The Newsletter is a monthly publication emailed to all current FEW members in Japan and overseas.

If you are living in the Kansai area, please visit the website for FEW Kansai.

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