Activities
Activity reports, news & articles
Event recaps, news, and articles about language exchange, life in Japan, and international careers.
32 articles
Blog ・
Moving to Japan: A Step-by-Step Guide (Visas, Your First 14 Days, and Building a Life)
How to move to Japan in six steps: choose your visa path, get a Certificate of Eligibility, arrive with your residence card, register your address within 14 days, set up daily life, and build a network. Based on official sources, as of October 2026.
Blog ・
Passed the JLPT but Can't Speak Japanese? How to Practice Speaking for Free
You can read the kanji and follow the listening test, but when someone talks to you, the words don't come out. Here's why that happens, five free ways to practice speaking Japanese with real people, and a simple weekly routine that works.
Blog ・
How to Make Friends in Japan as a Foreigner: A Practical Guide From a Language Exchange Community
Making friends in Japan as an adult is hard, and it is not just you. Here is why it feels difficult, where people actually meet, how to get through your first event, and how to turn one conversation into a real friendship.
Activity Report ・
Event Report: Sagamihara Global Future Session 2026 — Government, Business, Universities, and Residents on Living Together
On September 6, 2026, with the support of Sagamihara City, we held a session at Unicom Plaza Sagamihara. Speakers from local government, a company, a university, and a residents' group shared their views, and participants discussed concrete ideas in groups. Here is a summary of what we heard.
Event ・
Sagamihara Global Future Session 2026: Connecting Multicultural Communities and Global Careers
Discover how students, professionals, international residents, businesses, educators, and local government are collaborating to build a more inclusive and globally connected Sagamihara through the Sagamihara Global Future Session 2026.
Activity Report ・
Connecting Junior High School Students with the World | Red Look Delivers an International Understanding Class in Sagamihara
At the invitation of a junior high school in Sagamihara City, NPO Red Look delivered a special International Understanding class. President Eric (Yutaro Akami) shared his overseas experiences, global career journey, and perspectives on multicultural communities with approximately 30–40 students.
Online Course ・
Studying Japanese but Can't Use It at Work? Red Hub Bridges Language Learning and Your Career in Japan
Struggling to break into the Japanese job market? Red Hub is an online community by NPO Red Look that connects language exchange with real international career support — for just ¥1,500/month.
Interview ・
Red Look's Next Chapter: Online Community, Government Partnerships, and a City-Endorsed Event in Sagamihara
Building a sustainable model for social impact — while facing the reality that even nonprofits need business fundamentals. Red Look president Eric discusses Red Hub, the Sagamihara city-endorsed event in September 2026, and the road to opening an office in 2027.
Interview ・
Why We Rebuilt Our Vision: From 'Local Job Support' to 'A World Where Everyone Can Connect Globally'
Through ongoing interviews and fieldwork, the vagueness of our original vision became clear. Red Look president Eric explains the social challenges facing both Japanese nationals and foreign residents — and how they shaped the organization's new vision and mission.
Interview ・
From Engineer Community to Nonprofit: Why We Founded Red Look
Funds ran dry, ideas ran out — and still we didn't quit. From launching a tech community in Canada to founding an international NPO, Red Look president Eric shares the origin story.
Blog ・
Why is Japanese So Hard to Learn? Breaking the Barriers to Life in Japan
From the 'Kanji Forest' to the nuances of Keigo, learning Japanese is a marathon, not a sprint. Discover why it's challenging for expats and how connecting with a supportive community can change your career trajectory.
Blog ・
Leaving Your Job or Japan? 4 Tax Points Foreign Employees Should Know
Resident tax bills that arrive after you leave, no year-end adjustment when you quit mid-year, and a tax return or tax agent before you leave Japan. Here are four tax points for foreign employees, based on official information, and where to check your own case.
Blog ・
Why Do Foreign Workers Leave Japan? 3 Real Reasons and What Helps People Stay
Most foreign residents say they want to stay in Japan, yet many still leave their jobs or the country. Government and industry surveys point to three reasons: careers that stall, unwritten workplace rules, and isolation outside work. Here is what the data says and what helps.
Blog ・
Why Japan’s English proficiency still lags: it is not just about studying more
In EF EPI 2025, Japan ranked 96th out of 123 countries and regions. This article reframes the issue from “not studying enough” to the lack of speaking opportunities and practice design, showing why creating places to use English matters for both Japanese learners and foreign residents.
Blog ・
Survival & Career in Japan: A Practical Guide for Foreigners Seeking Jobs in Japan
A practical guide for foreigners who want to find a job, adapt to daily life, understand workplace culture, and build a long-term career in Japan.
Blog ・
Can You Build a Global Career While Living in a Regional Area? A Practical Guide for Japanese Job Seekers
Can regional relocation and an overseas career go together? This article explains the mindset, preparation, skills, and job search strategy for Japanese people aiming to work globally while living in Japan.
Activity Report ・
Speaking in Sagamihara: NPO Red Look Advancing Intergenerational & Cross-Sector Exchange
Lecture Report at the Sagamihara Civic Activities Support Center: Intergenerational & Cross-Sector Exchange and Proposals for International Career Support
Blog ・
The Importance of a 'Third Place' Connecting Japanese and International Engineers Through Skills | NPO Red Look
NPO Red Look, with over 150 events held, explains why they are building a 'Third Place' where Japanese and international engineers connect through a common language: the Global Career. Discover the value of reskilling in English and Japanese within a community beyond vested interests.
Blog ・
Thinking of Living Permanently in Japan? Why Learning Japanese Matters More Than Ever
For foreigners considering long-term residence or permanent residency in Japan, this article explains why Japanese language skills are becoming increasingly important—and how NPO Red Look provides a practical learning environment to help you settle into both community and career.
Activity Report ・
NPO Red Look Registered as Sagamihara SDGs Partner｜Attending Official SDGs Certification Ceremony
Our Executive Director attended the Sagamihara City SDGs certification ceremony and received the official recognition plaque from Mayor Kentaro Motomura
Blog ・
[2026 Update] How Will Japan’s Immigration, Permanent Residency, and Naturalization Rules Change?
A clear and practical overview for foreigners and overseas residents considering long-term stay, permanent residency, or naturalization in Japan, covering the immigration policy changes currently under discussion toward 2026. (※Proposal / under review)
News ・
For Japanese Who Want to Work Abroad, and Foreigners Who Want to Work in Japan | Red Look Online Community
A P2P online community where Japanese who want to work abroad and foreigners who want to work in Japan meet, teach each other, and build true self-driving capability together. Operated by the nonprofit organization Red Look, creating a system that makes global challenges accessible to everyone—not just a privileged few.
Event ・
[Overseas Challenge Event] Real Stories from Those Who Took the Leap Abroad | Online Networking Event for People in Their 20s
An online event for people in their 20s and students interested in working abroad, studying overseas, working holidays, and learning English. Hear real experiences from those who have taken on overseas challenges and discover your first step toward 2026.
Activity Report ・
[Activity Report] NPO Red Look Officially Registered as Sagamihara SDGs Partner — Advancing Global Collaboration from the Community
Empowering global careers through education, employment, inclusion, and partnerships for the SDGs
Activity Report ・
【Internship Report】First Internship Completed — A Month of Challenge and Growth
The first internship program of NPO Red Look has been completed. A one-month journey of learning, collaboration, and growth for participants who took on the challenge.
Event ・
Global Online Morning Study Group for Students & Professionals — 'Tuesday! Study & Share for Global Career Seekers' | Red Path Lounge
Start your day with purpose — A 90-minute online community for learning, connection, and global career growth
Activity Report ・
Joined the Accounting Seminar at Sagamihara Civic Support Center — Toward Transparent and Trustworthy NPO Management
To strengthen financial transparency and accountability, NPO Red Look joined the accounting seminar hosted by Sagamihara Civic Support Center. Through improving financial literacy and sharing knowledge, we aim to operate our organization with greater integrity and openness.
Activity Report ・
Visiting 9 Sites Across 5 Prefectures — Exploring the Real Voices Behind Japan’s Global Challenge Movement | NPO Red Look Field Report
NPO Red Look visited 9 locations across 5 prefectures to capture real voices from the field on overseas career challenges. From local communities and international exchange centers, we explore how Japan supports people taking on global opportunities.
Activity Report ・
[Event Report] Overseas x Tech Skill-up Meetup (Vol. 6) | Tokyo Developer Meetup
Cross-Border Engineer Exchange: Foreign and Japanese Engineers Gather in Shibuya for Skill Up and Global Career Opportunities
Blog ・
Organizational Development Policy Building a “Challenging Organization – NPO Red Look Fully Implements a Coaching Culture
NPO Red Look, an organization supporting global career challenges and skill empowerment, announces a major organizational transformation adopting coaching as a core of its development policy from October 2025.
Event ・
Workshop: Resume Writing & Career Strategy for Foreign Residents in Japan
A special workshop designed for foreign residents in Japan to learn how to create a professional resume using Google Sheets and develop an effective career strategy.
News ・
Red Look Incorporated as an NPO on August 1
NPO Red Look supports Japanese people who want to take on challenges abroad and foreigners seeking employment in Japan. Your donations empower us to expand our reach through study sessions, online courses, and public lectures.
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