About Us

FEW, was founded in 1981 by two foreign female entrepreneurs wishing to create a professional and social network empowering women in Tokyo. FEW has evolved tremendously since then. There are now two chapters, one in Tokyo and one in Osaka, with a current membership of over 200. 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. Since September 2008, membership has been open to English-speaking Japanese nationals.

Members come from 20 countries worldwide, and work in over 50 fields. 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. Age ranges from the early twenties to the late fifties. Today, FEW is a business and social networking organization whose aim is to empower professional women of all nationalities to achieve their personal and professional 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 the sponsorship of strategic partners. FEW offers our members the supportive and warm surroundings of the female environment to establish employment contacts, to network and to make new friends.

ACTIVITIES & PUBLICATIONS
Monthly Meetings: The monthly meeting provides a venue for networking and presentations by community and business leaders. Members exchange information and have the opportunity to make new friends and contacts over a buffet dinner and drinks with guest speaker. Meetings are held on the second Thursday of every month (except August) from 7.00pm. The December meeting is the Bonenkai party with no speaker and open to male and female guests.
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 and some are open to male guests. Past activities have featured karaoke, BBQ, sumo, wine-tasting, salsa, hypnosis, stress-relief, image consulting, golf lessons etc.

Career Strategies Seminar:
FEW’s flagship event, this one-day seminar has been held every two years since 1990. The full-day event provides an overview on the Japanese job scene for all English-speaking women, the opportunities available and how to find and make the most of them. Presentations by women, with extensive experience in various employment sectors, focus on such areas as career education, job planning, choosing or changing career paths as well as starting and running a business.

Charity Events:
FEW arranges charity events which in the past have included cherry blossom picnics, BBQs and Halloween trick-or-treat. FEW is currently supporting Room to Read and TELL as well as charities related to women and children-in-need in Japan. The FEW year-end Bonenkai 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 online through the FEW website. The Career Guide is published as a supplement to the Career Strategies Seminar and provides a wealth of information, resources and guidelines for the English-speaking female job seeker in Japan. Copies may be purchased for a nominal fee. The Membership Directory is an annual publication distributed to all FEW members. The Newsletter is a monthly e-publication sent to all current FEW members in Japan and overseas.