
About
Us
Message from Founder
Emre Caglar│Founder and Executive Director of Youth For Future
When I first started Youth For Future, it began with a simple belief: every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their potential, build confidence, and feel that they have something meaningful to contribute to the world.
In Japan, many children and youth still lack access to opportunities that allow them to explore who they are, connect with people beyond their immediate environment, and take action in society. At the same time, many students want to make a difference but do not always have the guidance, structure, or support needed to turn their ideas into meaningful social impact.
Youth For Future was created to bridge this gap.

Through our Global Identity Program (GIP), we support children in care homes and local communities through service learning engagement, cultural exchange, and real-world project-based experiences. Rather than only receiving support, children are encouraged to become active contributors to society by exploring social issues, volunteering, creating projects, and reflecting on their own growth. Through this process, they build confidence, empathy, responsibility, and a sense of purpose. Our goal is to help each child recognize that they are not defined by their circumstances, but by their ability to learn, lead, and contribute.
Through our RISE Initiative, we partner with international schools and educational institutions to empower students as young changemakers. Our camps, workshops, and leadership programs help students explore social issues, design their own initiatives, and take meaningful action through service learning and community engagement. By providing students with structure, mentorship, and opportunities for action, we aim to help them become more compassionate, responsible, and proactive leaders.
At Youth For Future, we do not see young people as future leaders only. We see them as changemakers today.
Our work is built on the belief that impact begins when young people are trusted, supported, and given the space to act. Whether it is a child in a care home discovering their voice through service learning, or a student in an international school launching a social impact project, every step forward matters.
As we continue to grow, we remain committed to building a Japan where all young people, regardless of background, can access opportunities to learn, lead, connect, and contribute.
Emre Caglar
Founder & Executive Director
NPO Youth For Future
Our History
2021 - Founding Year as a High School Project
Youth For Future (YFF) was founded in 2021 as a youth-led organization, with the primary objective of raising awareness and taking action on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
2023 - Focus on Education in Developing Regions
As leadership recognized attempting to address all 17 SDGs proved too broad, YFF transitioned in late 2023 into a nonprofit organization to improve the quality of education in developing countries, through donating stationery supply to students in Kenya.
2024 - Enrichment Programs for Children's Homes in Japan
With financial struggle to sustainably provide such resources, we therefore made the strategic decision to focus on children in Japan, leveraging our passionate and capable team. Recognizing that children living in care homes (orphanages) are a largely underrepresented group in Japan, we committed to becoming both a voice and a source of strength for them.
2025 - Official registration as a NPO法人
Youth For Future was officially registered as a Non-Profit Organization (NPO法人) under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
2026 - Launch of RISE Programs
Recognizing the lack of student-driven social impact initiatives in Japan, YFF launched a series of young changemaker and leadership camps and workshops for international schools and educational institutions.
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Meet the Board of Directors

Arika Okubo
Director, Head of Spring and Summer Camp & Kodomo-shokudo Project
Departments and Teams
Global Identity Program
The Global Identity Program is at the core of Youth For Future, driving curriculum development, coordinating with children’s homes, and organizing engaging camps and fundays.
Curriculum Development Team
Ayse Bayram - Project Coordinator
Megumi Wurz - Project Coordinator
Emi Tanimoto - Project Coordinator
Mei Kanada - Project Coordinator
Fun Day Organization Team
Miyu Sugiyama - Project Manager
Reach Out Team
Kaoru Takashima - Project Manager
Spring and Summer Camp Team
Sarah Mastunaga - Project Coordinator
Shiho Iwasaki - Project Coordinator
Minseo Lee - Project Coordinator
Public Relations and Government Affairs
The Department of Public Relations and Government Affairs plays a crucial role expanding our reach and developing strong support towards our action.
Social Media Team
Maya Morikuni - Project Coordinator
Shiho Iwasaki - Project Coordinator
Miho Kim - Project Coordinator
Toru Hiiragi - Photographer and Videographer
Sponsorship and Fundraising Team
Hirokatsu Tao - Project Manager
Aina Hayakawa - Senior Project Coordinator
Hiro Hobson - Project Coordinator
Koichiro Komoto - Project Coordinator
Government Affairs Team
Soo Ho - Project Coordinator
Taiju Ishimi - Project Coordinator
Website Development Team
Yui Nogami - Project Manager
Human Resource and Communications
The Department of Human Resource and Communications plays a crucial role as the backbone of the organization through building and fostering a passionate YFF community.
External and Internal Human Resource Team
Enoch Cohen - Project Coordinator
Ethan Lee - Project Coordinator
Event Team
Hiro Hobson - Event Manager





