Waffle
Annual Report2023-2024

Addressing the Gender Gap
in IT through Educationand Empowerment

Greeting

CHALLENGE
Your generous support has propelled Waffle’s activities
to new heights.
Thanks to your warm support, Waffle's activities have
expanded even further.
In our educational initiatives, Waffle Camp—an event
for middle and high school students—was successfully
held in 17 cities across the nation, attracting 177
participants. Local governments have expressed interestin continuing this initiative in the years to come.
Technovation Girls, a program close to our hearts,
achieved a significant milestone: 409 entries from all
47 prefectures in Japan. Seven teams made it to theworld competition semifinals—an accomplishment
we’re immensely proud of.
Waffle College, our tech community for university
students who are beginners in tech, saw 100
enthusiastic participants in the course. Many of our
graduates now serve as mentors for Waffle Camp,
embodying our commitment to fostering a supportive
tech community.
Beyond education, we are actively involved in policy
recommendations, including the Basic Policy, aimed atenhancing social structures. Waffle remains dedicatedto collaboration with our team and stakeholders,
striving to create a lasting social impact.
None of this would be possible without the unwavering
support of companies, partner organizations, anddonors. We express our heartfelt gratitude and lookforward to continuing our collective efforts in bridging
the gender gap in IT field.

Sayaka Tanaka

The Challenge of the Leaky Pipeline
in STEM for GirlsCEO of NPO Waffle
Math performance iscomparable between boys
and girls, but girls tend tohave better grades in science.

MissionElementary
SchoolUnlock women’s potential andmake an impact in the world
together with them.

High scientific
literacy atage 15: 37%

JuniorHigh School

Choosing ascience track inhigh school: 16%

Choosing a
STEM field inuniversity: 5%HighSchoolUniversity

Choosing a STEM
field in graduate
school: 1%

Graduate School

VisionClose the gender gap byempowering and educating
women in the technology field.

Career in
STEM fields

The leaky pipe
problem occurs in
the following stages

Origin of Waffle
Waffle stands for “Women
AFFection Logical Empowerment”.
Our mission is to empower womenwith both affection and logic.
We aspire to make technology,
often seen as complex, to bedelightful and approachable as awarm waffle fresh off the griddle.
This is the very reason behind our
choice of the name ‘Waffle’ for ourorganization.

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Greeting | 2

Middle/High school

University

Entry into the workforce

Career Development

Only a few female
students choose STEM
subjects in middle andhigh school.

Female students who chosescience in high school do
not advance to the STEM
faculties in university.

Female graduates of the
STEM faculties do notenter STEM careers.

Women who work in the
STEM fields find it
difficult to continue theircareers.

Reference: Based on PISA (2018), TIMSS (2019), and materials from the Cabinet Officeapan lags behind other OECD (Organisation
for Economic Co-operation and Development)
countries in terms of the percentage of women pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,and Mathematics) fields. The “Leaky Pipeline Issue” describes the gradual decline of women at each stage ofeducation, employment, and career progression within
STEM disciplines. The term draws an analogy to waterleaking from holes in a pipe, resulting in minimal flow to
the final destination.

J

Despite Japanese female students’ strong performancein the international PISA (Programme for International
Student Assessment) study, their enrollment in engi-

neering programs at universities remains the lowest
among OECD nations. This disparity is influenced bysocietal structures that discourage women from choosing STEM careers.
Of particular concern is the scant representation of
women in information engineering and IT field. In today’s
rapidly evolving landscape of AI and robotics technology, diversifying the workforce—by encouraging more
female and non-binary individuals to enter this field—
becomes essential. Such efforts not only promote economic empowerment but also enhance the overall diversity of the IT industry.

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Addressing the Gender Gap in IT through Education and Empowerment | 3

HOW WE CHANGE?

Waffle Education Program

Driving Transformation Acrossthe Entire Social Structure
by Engaging with All Stakeholders
Community

Individuals
Digital Competence of Female
and Non-Binary Secondary andUniversity Students

Non-profit
organizations

Mentors

Attitude

Making IT-related
career paths
a personal matter

Normative beliefs

Supporters

AgencySkill

Environment

Delivering Information
and Opportunities to
Rural Students

Promoting Economic
Empowerment through Advanced
Digital Education

Providing Gender-Sensitive
Learning Environments
and Materials

In the IT and digital sector, the gender
pay gap is narrower compared to otherindustries. Moreover, IT technical roles
offer competitive salaries and flexible
work arrangements. Our intervention
begins during middle and high school,
aiming to increase the enrollment offemale and non-binary students in IT
field like information engineering atuniversities. Additionally, we equip university students with advanced digitalskills essential for creating and designing IT products, fostering economic
independence and empowerment.

Gender sensitivity involves recognizing
and addressing gender-related issues
while avoiding discrimination. Creating a gender-sensitive environmentis crucial, especially for students who
may be less inclined to explore STEM
due to societal norms. To achieve this,we ensure that individuals with gender-sensitive perspectives serve aslecturers or judges during programs,
providing young generations withdiverse role models among female
engineers and executives.

Promotinggender equality
in the IT industry

The IT and digital industry predominantly centers around Tokyo, which
restricts opportunities for students
beyond the Tokyo metropolitan areas
to engage with professionals or participate in educational programs. To
address this, we collaborate with local
governments, establish regional networks, and actively involve middle andhigh school students from all cornersof Japan. Additionally, we provide
travel support for students attending
events in Tokyo, offer computer loans,and facilitate hybrid programs thatcombine on-site and online learning toreach a diverse student audience.

Gender norms

PROGRAM PIPELINE

Government
policies
to bridging
the gender gap
in IT

Media

Business
sectorEncouragers
Commitment to creatinga gender-equal society
and a better society

Femaleleaders

Digital skill
Technical skills
as creators orengineers

Outreach

Universities

Peers

Self-esteem and self-efficacy

To drive systemic change in the overall social structure, we actively collaborate with multiple sectors,
emphasizing three core principles within our educational programs:

Systems/Customs& Policies

Middle andHigh School

Role Models

Education for Developing
Digital CompetenceCommunity

Opportunities& ResourcesCore Values in Our Educational Programs

Hackathonsand contests
Funding
organizations
and foundations

Make choices andtake action
toward them

We offer comprehensive programs that support female and non-binary students of various age
groups—from middle and high school to university—on their journey from developing an interest in IT
to pursuing information engineering and becoming engineers.

Barriers
What We Do
Individuals

Community

Education to
Develop
Digital Competency

Building a Community
Supporting Womenand Non-Binary
Individuals Learning IT

In Japanese society, where
the gender gap is severe, we
provide education tocultivate digital competency
encompassing programmingskills and five essential
elements, enabling students
to participate equally in thedigital society.

We create spaces where
women and non-binary individuals interested in programming
can meet peers and rolemodels. Additionally, we work toincrease the number of teachers, companies, and guardians
who support learning in the IT
field, helping students confidently choose STEM careers.

Opportunities& Resources

Systems/Practices& Policies

Advocacy for GenderInclusive Opportunities
in Other Organizations

Advocacy to prioritize
women in STEM policies

We collaborate with othercompanies and educationalsettings, ensuring thatgender-inclusive educationand opportunities/resources
are provided, not just within
Waffle.

We actively work with thegovernment to increase
budgets for womenʼs STEM
career choices in policies
such as “Basic Policies for
Economic and Fiscal
Management and Structural
Reform” while also raisingawareness of the gender
gap in the IT/STEM

Gender biases such as “girls should
pursue liberal arts” and “womenare not suited for STEM fields.”

Exposure
Middle andHigh School Students

I

Experience

Lack of female and non-binaryrole models in programming makes
pursuing IT careers harder.

Continue Learning with
Peers in the Community

Difficulty in choosing career
paths and roles due tothe scarcity of role models.

ChooseIT Career Paths●Choose a STEM major

Waffle Camp

Technovation Girls

One-day workshops
on website development and career talks

International business and app competition where teams solve SDGs-related
issues using mobile apps over four months

in the university●Change career path tocomputer science/IT areas●Take programmingcourses in the university

Mentor for Waffle Camp & Technovation Girls Mentoring
Waffle book
“Me x IT = Infinity”

n our mission to empower female and non-binary middle school, high school, and university
students, we recognize that individual efforts
alone are insufficient. To bridge the gender gap in the IT

Stereotypes that programming is“difficult” and “suitable for boys”
lead to fewer opportunities for girls.

field, we must address social structures comprehensively. Our approach involves empowering students througheducation while strategically transforming the broadersocial and economic systems that impact them.

University Students

Waffle College
Entry Course

Waffle College
Tech Career Course

10-day* program toexperience IT

5-month program to secure an
IT engineer internship (extended to 8 months in 2023).

Internships
Support for securing internships andcollaboration withcompanies.

●Participate inengineering internships●Secure employment in

IT technical roles*1 Duration: 2 weeks(FY 2023) *2 Duration: 8 months(FY 2023)

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Addressing the Gender Gap in IT through Education and Empowerment | 4

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Addressing the Gender Gap in IT through Education and Empowerment | 5

START!

The Japanese government's
2023 policy includes acommitment to "Eliminating
the Gender Gap in STEM."

Started the second
term of the Waffle
College Entry Course

April

May

welcoming 80 students new
to IT (details on page 9).

Waffle Camp is a program for female and non-binary middle and high school students
aimed at reducing apprehension towards IT and STEM fields and increasing their interest
through website development. The program not only focuses on skill acquisition
but also features career talks from women working in the IT industry.

June
July

Waffleʼs first book
“Me x IT = Infinity: The Ultimate Theory: A Guide for Women & Gender
Minorities to thrive in IT field”, waspublished by Little More on March
8th 2023, spreads to bookstoresand libraries nationwide.

Started the second termof the Waffle College
Tech Career Coursewith 40 motivated students
eager to learn IT skills in depth(details on page 9).

Launched
Waffle Camp 2023
in 17 cities with 177 students(details on page 7).

AugustEvent Period: July 1, 2023 - March 31, 2024
Participation Fee: Free of charge
Event Locations: 17 cities nationwide (Sapporo, Hokkaido;
Chiba, Chiba; Inzai, Chiba; Yokohama, Kanagawa; Nagaoka,
Niigata; Fukui, Fukui; Komagane, Nagano; Kamiina, Nagano;
Kyotango, Kyoto; Hyogo, Hyogo; Kobe, Hyogo; Toyooka,
Hyogo; Tokushima, Tokushima; Fukuoka, Fukuoka; Nagasaki,
Nagasaki; Nagasaki City, Nagasaki; Kagoshima, Kagoshima)
Target Participants: Female and non-binary middle and highschool students residing or studying in the event locations.
Key Activities:- Developing original websites using HTML/CSS- Hosting inspirational talks featuring accomplished women
who work in the tech industry as role models and more

Participated in the Board Fellow
Program of the general incorporated
association World in You

Recap of Waffle’s annual
activities and achievements[Event Overview]*Note: 13 municipalities will host hybrid events (both in-person and online)

SeptemberHighlights

What is Waffle Camp?

Selected for the Mirai
RITA "YUI Future Project~ Social Impact with a
Gender Perspective."

October

I was surprised by
the number of engineers from liberalarts backgrounds.

Participants Changes

Number of participants in Waffle Camp

NovemberTechnovation Girls
2024 Starts!

Held Waffle Club!
“Waffle Club ~ Cloud Camp for
Builders! ~ powered by AWS” at
the Amazon Shinagawa office asa follow-up course for program
graduates.

A total of 409 participants fromall 47 prefectures enrolled, and 7
teams were selected for the World
Semi-Finals (details on page 8).

962022FY

177

Approximately

1.8 times

more thanin FY2022

2023FYInterest in Programming

January

December
CEO Tanaka was selected as a
finalist for the Veuve Clicquot
Bold Woman Award 2023

Started the YUI Future ProjectFebruary

Hosted a STEM career event“A Day to Design Your Future.” to explore the excitement of IT and technology, and how to leverage it in future
education and career paths.

BeforeFeatured on Apple’s"App Store Today" forInternational Women's Day

March

As part of the YUI Future Project,visited organizations involved in
gender and education across Japan

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Highlights | 6

77 %

92 %

After

and presentation of achievements forthe second term of Waffle College.

64 %Before(n=159)

81 %
After

I had always thought IT was difficult,but I was glad to find out that there
are many different kinds of people in
the field, and various ways of living.

I learned the importance of pursuing what you want to do, as many
people change their career paths
after graduating from university.

The advice was
accurate and easy
to understand.

Highlights from the 2023 Program
Collaborating with Our Partner Companies: Through partnerships
with sponsoring companies, we successfully organized events attheir respective offices. These events allowed participants to closely observe employees in their work environments, providing valuable insights and making it easier for them to envision a career in IT.

Interest in STEM Fields

Held the graduation
ceremony for the second
term of Waffle College

Feedback from
Participants

Everyone was kind, and it was great
to have someone immediately help
me when I was in trouble.

(n=159)Empowering Girls in STEM: A key challenge is how to encourage
participation from students who have little interest in IT or STEM
fields without making them feel resistant. It is also important towork on deepening the understanding of the program among parents and school teachers. Some municipalities, such as Kyotango City in Kyoto Prefecture and Kagoshima Prefecture, have held
pre-program information sessions for parents and school officials,
which is expected to boost future participation.
Mentoring by College Students: We selected and trained 49 mentors from alumni of our Waffle College Entry Course, who are closer
in age to the middle and high school students.
By having university students act as mentors,
Check out
we believe it has helped the younger students
Waffle Camp
feel that IT is more accessible.

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Waffle Camp | 7

About Technovation Girls

Waffle College

Technovation Girls is one of the world's largest technology education programs hosted by
the US-based STEM NPO "Technovation," aiming to nurture the next generation of female IT entrepreneurs.
As the official ambassador in Japan, Waffle supports domestic teams participating in the program.

Waffle College is a tech community primarily for university students who are beginners in tech to
become IT engineers. It offers an "Entry Course" for programming beginners and a "Tech Career Course"
for those who want to learn IT skills in-depth and participate in internships at IT companies.

[Event Overview][Event Overview]

Event Period: December 10, 2023 - May 25, 2024

Event Period:. Entry Course: May to June 2023 (2 weeks). Tech Career Course: August 2023 to March 2024 (8 months)

Note: The “World Summit” hosted by Technovation in US is scheduled for October 2025.

Participation Fee: Free of charge

Participation Fee: Free of charge

Support: Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology (MEXT)

Support: Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Scienceand Technology (MEXT)

Target Participants: Female and gender minority* students in
middle and high school

Target Participants: 18+ year-old female and non-binary students
from domestic and international universities, graduate schools,
junior colleges, technical colleges, and vocational schools.

Main Content: - App Development Course (7 days)	- Business Development Course (4 days)
Instructors:

Contents:
Entry Course: Lectures on fundamental to programming, using the no-- Maiko Kojima (Founder and CEO, Crafter Co. Ltd.)- Airi Horie (CEO, Women's Startup Lab)

Japan Official Pitch Event: An annual pitch event held independently inJapan. After the judging process, ten finalists will present at an event inTokyo on May 25, 2024.

code tool "Thunkable" and App development/Visits to IT companies(including office tours, panel discussions with female employees, andnetworking events)/Role model lectures (talks by those who transitioned

Exchange Meeting with Overseas Participants (Mexico): A platform toprovide mutual feedback on apps under development.

Tech Career Course:Text coding using JavaScript and web app

from liberal arts to engineering careers)

Career Guidance and Consultation Events: Opportunities for participants
to receive support for their future paths through talk sessions with
university student and professional mentors.
*Following the application guidelines by Technovation Girls HQ, we welcome not onlytransgender individuals who are interested in Technovation Girls, but also non-binary andgender non-conforming individuals who wish to learn in a female-oriented environment.

Feedback from
ParticipantsParticipants Changes

Number of participantsfrom all47 prefectures
across Japan

409

Almost double
from last year

A total of 85 teams completed the program, with 7 teams
were selected as semi-finalists in the global competition.

Programming Skills:

At first, I was anxious, but withsupport from the organizers, I
had a very fulfilling experience.

I want to apply the algorithms I learned this time tomaster other programming
languages.

There were countless challenges,
but the sense of achievement frommy growth outweighed them all.

Before(n=222)Business Building Skills:
There was a noticeable improvement in participants’confidence in their business development skills.

19％

Before100

This challenge has boosted
my self-confidence. It was atruly tough yet enjoyable six
months.

Outside Tokyo
metropolitan areas

39％

Record-Breaking: We achieved record participation, with the highest numbers of participants, teams, and mentors supporting them—surpassing all previous years. This success allowed us to expand
our program to previously unreached regions.
Empowering Career Clarity: Participant surveys clearly indicatedthat the program played a pivotal role in clarifying their future career paths and aspirations. Beyond programming engagement, emphasizing sessions on role models and career guidance is essential
for presenting diverse career options.
Building an Alumni Community: Looking ahead, our focus is on establishing an alumni community. This platform will enable participants to share their program experiences with their schools andlocal communities.

56％

After

(Entry Course and Tech Career Course)

Feedback from
ParticipantsParticipants Changes

61％

Outside Tokyo
metropolitan areas

38％

62％

Summary of the 2023 Program

44％

After

Number of participants

The lectures on programmingand computer science were ofhigh quality, stimulating my intellectual curiosity. I even foundIT-related topics interesting.

Starting developmentfrom scratch boosted myconfidence significantly.

Participants reported increased confidence
in their programming abilities

13％

development methods/Fundamentals of computer science, such as data
structures and algorithms, and preparation for coding tests/Project weeks
where groups work on assignments/Graduation hackathon(n=222)

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Technovation Girls | 8

Check Outthe Technovation Girls
Japan Official Pitch Event

Tokyo metropolitan
areas
Entry Course:

80 participantsTokyo metropolitan
areas

It provided me withvaluable time forself-reflection and also
impacted my career.

Compared to before I
participated, I feel a strong
sense of personal growth!

Rather than studying alone in silence, I enjoyed collaboratingwith instructors, mentors, and fellow college students. Without
my peers, I don’t think I could have continued.

In this exceptional environment, I was able to develop
my skills while maintaining
psychological safety.

I had the opportunity tointeract with like-minded
individuals and gain a lot of
inspiration and experience.

Tech Career Course:

39 participants

30 graduates from the Tech Career Course,

out of which 36 secured
technical internships as follows.
Free Inc., Recochoku Co Ltd, Japan Research Institute Information
Services Co Ltd, Japan System Technology Corporation, MarioClub Co Ltd, Mercari Inc, Cozies Inc. DuPont Japan Co. Ltd,
Accenture Inc, Optage Inc, Hogetic Lab Inc., Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu
Cloud Technologies, Inc. (now Fujitsu Limited), Nippon Telegraphand Telephone East Corporation, NEC Corporation, Sky Inc.
*As of July 2024

Summary of the 2023 Program
Entry Course: Condensed last year’s program spanned approximately three months into a two-week format to enable students
to engage in focused learning and gain a deeper understanding.
Tech Career Course: Launched computer science lectures, andimplemented multiple project weeks for students to collaborate
in groups to tackle assignments. Several student-led “clubs” were
emerged and student participation in external hackathons and internships were increased.
Research: Collaborating with Professor Ryo Oda from the Facultyof Foreign Studies at Reitaku University to conduct research aimed
at enhancing the program’s effectiveness.

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Waffle College | 9

Participant
interview #1

Unlock women’s potential andmake an impact in the world
together with themParticipant
interview #2

I NTE RVI EW E E 1

In the app, users act as chefs and serve dishes tocustomers with various allergies. Successfully managing allergy requirements clears the mission, and users
can earn discount coupons that can be used in actual
restaurants.

I NT ERVI EW EE 2

ChihiroMatsuura
Resides in Akita Prefecture. Participated in Technovation Girls 2024
for the first time and was selected as a finalist in the Japan official
pitch event. She is working on developing an app to enhance understanding of food allergies and hopes to address social issues bycombining design and art in the future.

—What motivated you to join Technovation Girls (TG)?
I was encouraged by my parents. I had opportunities tointeract with computers since the third grade of elementary school and had always wanted to create an app.
Also, inspired by a fascination with overseas, I decided
to take on the challenge when I learned that TG washeld in the United States.
—How was the experience of participating?
The app development course was challenging. I had
to learn programming I had never encountered before,
and all the tools were in English, which made it difficult.
Creating a business plan was also a new experience forme, and planning finances was tough. However, completing the pitch video and business plan in English by
the deadline gave me confidence. I felt that everyone’s
creativity and effort were rewarded. Our team was four
people and we communicated frequently and paid particular attention to schedule management. Working in ateam provided new perspectives and allowed us to takeon challenges we couldn’t have done alone. Additionally,
I was thrilled to have the valuable experience of presenting in a large venue.
—Tell us about the app you developed for TG.
It’s a cooking game app related to food allergies. Designed to promote understanding of allergies, it is madeto be enjoyable for both people with and without allergies. I have an egg allergy myself and have felt that understanding allergies is sometimes lacking. Through thisapp, I aimed to reduce allergy incidents.

—What were the specific features or innovations
in your app?
I was mainly responsible for designing and implementing the UI (User Interface). I focused on making it user-friendly for children by carefully selecting colors andtext from the user’s perspective. Initially developed inJapanese, we also created an English version to make it
accessible to people worldwide.
—What future challenges or projects are you
interested in?
I am good at design and enjoy drawing illustrations. Recently, I’ve also developed an interest in issues related
to image generation AI. I would like to develop new appsthat combine design and AI. I want to take on various
app development challenges leveraging my experiences, both in allergy and design. I also plan to participate
in TG next year and aim for an award this time.
Working on UI for TG has strengthened my desire to
become a designer. Listening to Suptuniko! inspired me
to blend programming and design, and use technology
to tackle social issues!
—Thank you.

At Hailab (Gojome Town, Akita Prefecture), she is deeply engaged in programming and design.

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Participant interview | 10

SumireInoue
Currently enrolled at the Faculty of Human Life Sciences, Ochanomizu University. She participated as a first-term student in Waffle
College (College) during her first year of university. After completingthe program, she has joined Waffle and involved in the Technovation
Girls group. She is challenging herself with an internship in an IT engineering role at a company and is scheduled to intern with a SouthAmerican company this summer. She aspires to become a backend
engineer in the future.

—What motivated you to join the Waffle program?
I joined College in the spring of my first year at university,
introduced by a professor. As a humanities student majoring in Gender and Sexuality Studies, I initially wanted
to gain some strengths before entering the workforce,
so I joined College. There, I was introduced to the appeal of IT engineering and flexible work styles, and I felt
it suited me. I realized that IT could broaden my life options, which increased my interest in the field. College
significantly changed my perception of IT.

Unlock women’s potential andmake an impact in the world
together with themfirst-term students from College are already active engineers, and I find their stories inspiring.
For me, Waffle is a place to hone technical skills anda community where I can meet like-minded individuals. I
am also interning in Waffle’s middle and high school programs, hoping to give back a little of what I have gained
and how I have been empowered.

—What future challenges are you interested inpursuing?
I am currently participating in an internship at a company, aiming to become a backend engineer. I am looking
forward to the launch of the products I am involved with.
My goal is to create new value by integrating IT withother fields and contributing to society.
—Do you have a message for future juniors?
Trying new things is worth it if you have even a slightinterest. I wasn’t initially strongly interested in IT, but
through my experiences at College, I discovered new
possibilities. I encourage you to take that first step.
—Thank you.

—What was your experience with the Waffle College
program?
Balancing university studies and part-time work waschallenging, but I valued maintaining the attitude of
not giving up on things I wanted to try. Continuing was
made easier by the presence of my peers who gatheredat College. Participating online from various parts of thecountry exposed me to diverse backgrounds and expertise, which was stimulating.
Meeting IT engineers close to my age who are active
in community was particularly valuable, as such networks are rare in the humanities field. It made me realizethat the future I envision is not impossible.
—What does Waffle mean to you?
Waffle is a community that has taught me about the IT
world and has many wonderful role models. Some of the

Actively engaged in extracurricular activities, including participating in external hackathons outside of university.

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Participant interview | 11

Advocacy

Supporters comments
SUPPORTER 1

Efforts Toward Policy Advocacy

Lenovo Japan LLC

Since its inception in 2019, Waffle has been actively involved in both educational initiatives and policy advocacy to address the gender gap in the IT field. Recognizing that this gap is influenced by systemic and social
structural challenges, Waffle believes that fundamental
transformation within social structures is crucial for aradical solution. Leveraging insights from its educational programs aimed at closing the gender gap in IT field,
Waffle provides recommendations to the government.
In our policy advocacy, we are particularly focused onthe ‘Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management
and Reform’ (also known as the ‘Honebuto no Hoshin’).
This policy outlines the fundamental principles for budget formation by various ministries and the government’s prioritized policy directions, and it is decided
by the Cabinet around June every year. At Waffle, we
discuss countermeasures and possible actions with therelevant ministries based on the insights and issues
identified from our projects. Since fiscal year 2021, thepromotion of IT education and career choices for female
junior and senior high school students, technical college
students, and university students has been consistently
included in government’s policies. We believe that these
activities have contributed to recent proactive measures
such as the establishment of new quotas for women in
STEM fields in higher education institutions and the appointment of female faculty members.

Background and Policy Recommendations
As Waffle expands its educational programs nationwide, local governments and organizations recognize
the need to strengthen regional industry-academia-government collaboration. In regions where Waffle is active,aligning efforts among industry, educators, and government has significantly increased awareness and opportunities for a larger student population, contributing toprogram sustainability. In fiscal year 2023, Waffle maderecommendations aimed at accelerating initiatives involving diverse stakeholders in local communities.
Furthermore, Waffle’s activities have highlighted theimpact of role models in IT/STEM fields. By promoting
women researchers to senior positions, Waffle encourages more girls to consider these fields as viable career

https://www.lenovo.com/

CaptionCaptionCaptionCaptionCaptionCaptionCaption

paths, ultimately improving female participation rates.
These insights have been incorporated into the recommendations provided to the government.

Achievements

Aya Yaginuma
Director,
Consumer Business Strategy

e met Waffle, which aims to bridge the gender
gap through IT, at a time when we were beginning to focus on developing programming software for students and promoting its use with the goal of“Smarter Technology for All.” As we felt sympathetic to
Waffle’s efforts to promote change with deep concern forthe situation of female students in Japan, we have worked
together on Technovation Girls, jointly organizing career
seminars for female students and International Women’sDay events.
In particular, Technovation Girls 2024 attracted participants from all 47 prefectures of Japan, and I feel thatthe momentum is growing on a national scale. I hope that
Waffle’s activities will help expand career opportunities forfemale students and further diversify human resources in
the IT industry.

W

Lenovo Japan Ltd. has been supporting
Waffle’s activities in various ways, including co-organizing events for International Women’s Day and career seminars for female students.

1. Inclusion in the “ Basic Policy on Economic
and Fiscal Management and Reform(Honebuto Policy) 2023 ”
The policy includes the following statement on page
19, marking the third consecutive year of initiatives forjunior and senior high school girls since 2021.
“To enhance female representation among university and technical college students and faculty in STEM
fields, including IT, the government will intensify collaborative efforts between industry, academia, andgovernment at the regional level. These initiatives aim
to encourage female junior and senior high school students to explore and choose STEM disciplines. Additionally, the government will bolster efforts to appoint
female researchers to senior positions within universities.”
https://www5.cao.go.jp/keizai-shimon/kaigi/cabinet/
honebuto/2023/2023_basicpolicies_ja.pdf

2.20% Increase in Budget
for Related Projects
The budget for the ‘Support Program for Female Juniorand Senior High School Students in Choosing STEM
Careers,’ overseen by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), has been increased from 60 million
yen in FY2023 to 72 million yen in FY2024.

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Advocacy | 12

SUPPORTER 2

Nulab inc.

https://nulab.com/

Masanori Hashimoto
President and CEO Nulab Inc.

Nulab Inc. has supported us as an annual partner since 2023. We have also
hosted the Waffle Camp at their headquarters in Fukuoka.

ulab Inc. supports the activities of the NPO Waffle. In Japan today, the percentage of women in
IT roles such as programmers and system engineers is still at a low level of 22%*. Although this percentage is rising year by year, the opportunities to meet
female IT engineers are still few, and hiring them is challenging even when we wish to work together. One of thereasons for this is the lack of an increase in women studying computer science. Nulab has supported and collaborated with Waffle’s proactive initiatives to address theseissues. We have organized coding workshops exclusively
for female junior and senior high school students, such as“Waffle Camp Hometown in Fukuoka City,” and have held
“Talk Sessions by Female IT Engineers,” where our female
engineers have also presented.
We believe it is essential to widely inform young women about the joys and possibilities of a career as an IT
engineer from an early age. We will continue to work with
Waffle and strive, albeit modestly, to contribute to realizing a society where female IT engineers can thrive.

N*Source: Japan Information Service Industry Association, 2023
Basic Statistics Survey of the Information Service Industry

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Supporters comments | 13

Media Coverage

Supporters
We would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to the companies and organizations
that support Waffle's activities. Here are some of the entities that have provided their generous support:

Major Media Coverage
2023

MetLife Insurance K.K.

Cybozu, Inc.

Skyscanner Limited

Mirai RITA Foundation

TokyoDev Inc.

KOA Corporation

Lenovo Japan LLC

Unity Technologies Japan K.K.

Takano Co., Ltd.

U.S. Embassy

Salesforce Japan Co., Ltd.

Yamawura Co., Ltd.

Deloitte Tohmatsu Group

Amazon Web Services Japan G.K.

J-Stream Inc.

Sony Group Corporation

CyberAgent, Inc.

esa LLC

Japan Research Institute, Ltd.

Nulab Inc.

Dropbox Japan K.K.

July 5: Asahi Shimbun Digital - “Are Girls Really Bad at STEM? Persistent Prejudices Compared to the World...”EDOCODE Inc.

TechnoPro Holdings, Inc.

PR TIMES Corporation.

December 5: Yomiuri Shimbun - “[#Challenge in Their 30s] Sayaka Tanaka Wants to Eliminate Gender Gaps in IT”

LINE Yahoo Corporation

Rakus Co., Ltd.

April 11: Business Insider - “The Equation of Me × IT = Invincible: A Guide to Becoming a Female Engineer Recommended by a CurrentFemale STEM University Student”
April 11: TBS Radio - “Ashitano College”
April 14: Fuji TV - “Live News α”
April 30: J-WAVE - “ARROWS”
May 19: MASHING UP - “Lowering the Barriers to IT: What Waffle Wants to Convey to Teens in Their Book”
June 24: NHK General - “Saturday Watch 9”
June 8: Nikkei - “STEM: More Women in the Workforce - Universities and Companies Want to Show the Excitement”
June 6: FNN Prime Online - “Female Junior and Senior High School Students Gather in Shibuya to Solve Social Issues with Apps!”

2024

Partner Companies/Organizations

January 29: Forbes JAPAN - “100 Leaders’ Conference”
February 28: NWEC Practical Research No. 14 - Digital Technology and Gender Equality: Report from the National Women’s Education
Center “NWEC Practical Research No. 14”
March 8: Apple App Store Today - “International Women’s Day: Free IT Education for Female Students”
March 8: Asahi Shimbun - “Why I Chose STEM: Two Women in Their 20s Discuss Sudden Career Shifts and Pursuing Research...”March 11: Asahi Shimbun Edu - “The Lack of Women in IT Is Not an ‘Awareness Issue’ - How Girls Can Realize Their Potential and Choose
Their Own Career Paths”

Total Media Coverage: Web: 37 articles, Newspapers: 23 articles, Magazines: 20 articles,
Radio: 2 broadcasts, TV: 2 broadcasts
For more details, please visit https://waffle-waffle.org/media/

Supporting Companies/Organizations
Women’s Startup Lab Impact Foundation Japan
Yamada Shintaro D & I Foundation
National High School My Project Award Office by NPO Katariba
NPO Code for Everyone
Life is Tech, Inc.
Girl Scouts of Japan
Apollo Global Management

For Companies
We embrace diverse forms of support, ranging from financial contributions to our programs, to the provision of free computers andeducational materials, event venue offerings,
and expertise in areas like design. For further
information, please reach out to our partnership office at partner@waffle-waffle.org.

Speaking Engagements
2023

Introduction to Various Support Methods

May 10: Panel Discussion at Nikkei Children’s Future Economy Forum (Chairperson Tanaka)
June 2: Cabinet Office “Collaboration Conference Online Forum” (Chairperson Tanaka)
June 23: Lecture at Seisen University, “Specialized Case: Global Citizens and Human Resources” (Director Morita)
June 14: Lecture at Kichijo Girls’ Junior & Senior High School Cultural Lecture Series (Chairperson Tanaka)
July 3: Fujitsu & Ochanomizu University “AI Ethics and Society Joint Lecture” (Director Morita)
July 15: Aomori Prefecture-sponsored “Aomori x Women Life & Career Seminar” (Chairperson Tanaka)
July 23: Lecture co-hosted by Nishinomiya City and Nishinomiya University Exchange Council (Chairperson Tanaka)
July 29: Lecture at Kagoshima Prefecture Gender Equality Center (Chairperson Tanaka)
August 5: Open Seminar at Kyoto Women’s University, Faculty of Data Science (Chairperson Tanaka)
August 29: L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Japan Encouragement Award Panel Discussion (Chairperson Tanaka)
November 27: Panel Discussion by bgrass “Let’s Think About the Gender Gap in the IT Industry!” (Chairperson Tanaka)
November 28: #YourChoiceProject 2nd Anniversary Event Panel Discussion (Chairperson Tanaka)

J-Stream Inc.

Nulab Inc.

J-Stream Inc. a provider of video streaming
and video solutions, has supported us byproducing videos for Waffle Camp. They created videos that include the genuine voicesof the participants, as well as the thoughts
and messages from the university student
instructors/TAs and the management team.

Nulab Inc. a developer and provider of online collaboration tools, has supported us byproviding their project and task management
tool, “Backlog,” as well as lending us theirvenue for hosting Waffle Camp.

December 2: Workshop at Everyone’s Code “Roundtable Conference on the Future of School Education” (Chairperson Tanaka)

Amazon Web Services
Japan G.K.
Amazon Web Services Japan G.K. has supported us by hosting the “Cloud Camp for
Builders,” a programming workshop using
IoT devices, for high school and university
students at the Amazon Shinagawa office.
They provided the venue, prepared teachingmaterials, and had their employees serve as
instructors, offering a wide range of support.

December 6: Panel Discussion at Nikkei Children’s Future Economy Forum (Chairperson Tanaka)
December 13: Lecture at Tsuda University (Director Morita)
2024

February 5: Panel Discussion at JobRainbow “D&I AWARD 2023” (Chairperson Tanaka)
March 8: W20 Japan and Sasakawa Peace Foundation co-hosted “Digital and Gender” (Chairperson Tanaka)
March 21: Webinar co-hosted by LVMH Beauty and Sriru “Considering the Voices of 600 Working Women” (Chairperson Tanaka)
March 22: Lecture at National Institute of Technology, Diversity Promotion Awareness Lecture (Director Morita)AwardsNovember 2023: Finalist for the Veuve Clicquot Bold Woman Award 2023
Waffle was selected as a finalist for the Bold Future Award, an honor presented by Veuve Clicquot to innovative female leaders and next-gener-

You can watch
the video here:

ation women leaders.

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Media Coverage | 14

Waffle Annual Report 2023 - 2024 | Supporters | 15

Join Us in Bridging the Gender Gap in the Field of IT

Donation Information
The initiatives of Waffle, which focus on fostering
female and non-binary tech leaders throughout Japan,
rely on the generous backing of our community. Your
ongoing support would be immensely valued.

For Individuals
Contributions can be made via ‘Syncable,’ a donation platform
tailored for non-profit organizations. You have the option of either monthly recurring donations or one-time contributions, allowing you to choose the amount and frequency that suits you
best. Your generous donations will be utilized to supply laptops
and WiFi devices to middle and high school students who lackthe necessary resources for programming, while
also enhancing educational materials.

［Syncable：NPO Waffle］

https://syncable.biz/associate/555
Annually, Waffle undergoes an independent third-party audit to ensure the proper management of donations. We are dedicated to maximizing the effective
and efficient use of your contributions to address thegender gap in the IT field.

Organization Overview
Address: 151-0051 Link Square Shinjuku 16th Floor, 5-27-5 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
CEO Sayaka Tanaka

Contact: info@waffle-waffle.org
Official Website: https://waffle-waffle.org/

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Waffle NPO

Published on August 2024 ©NPO Waffle 2024
This Annual Report was published with the invaluable support and cooperation of Apollo Global Management, Inc.