What It's Like to Volunteer at a Japanese Nonprofit

Short answer: Volunteer staff at Red Look are not there to hand out name tags. They set their own hours (about five a week), help run a place where Japanese and international people meet as equals, and pick one personal challenge to make happen. Most of the work is online, and you can take part from outside Japan.

I'm Eric (Yutaro Akami), founder of NPO Red Look, a nonprofit based in Sagamihara, Kanagawa. Here is why staff are at the center of what we do, what one of them says about it, and what to know before you apply.

The staff are the main characters, not me

Red Look isn't built around me. It is built around the staff who take on challenges and create the place.

I see my job as making it easy for them to do that work and to build a "third place" for Japanese and international people — somewhere that is neither home nor work — and setting up a stage where each of them can shine.

That is why we don't just hand staff a task list. Each person also chooses one thing they want to try for themselves.

In a staff member's words

One staff member, who studied in Canada, describes why they joined (name withheld at their request):

Studying in Canada made me realize how big the world is. I want to give as many people as possible a chance to see that world, and to cheer on people who take on a challenge. As someone who keeps taking on challenges myself, I want to be there for the next person.

One of our principles is "Those who were supported welcome the next person." Many of our staff know what it feels like to be the newcomer abroad, or to be a foreign resident in Japan. That experience is exactly what helps the next newcomer.

You can meet more of our staff on Red Look's Instagram.

What staff do: three teams

Team	Main work	What you build
Business team	Free consultations, running the Red Hub online community, career skill reports, a podcast	Listening and asking good questions, laying out options, teaching in English or Japanese
Social Impact team	The weekly online exchange; planning and hosting in-person events in Shibuya and Sagamihara	Event planning, facilitation, running multinational groups
Marketing team	Instagram, LinkedIn, Meetup and LINE posts; a monthly report	A research → goal → measure → improve marketing cycle, writing and visual content

You can start as an assistant and grow into a lead role.

What a week looks like

Sunday or Monday: decide when you will work that week (about two sessions, five hours in total) and share it with the team.
During the week: work on your tasks online. If you are on an event, you help run it on the day.
2nd and 4th Thursday, 21:00–22:00 JST: an online team meeting. If you can't make it, read the notes and mark them as read.

You set two goals every three months: one part of your team's goal (for example, one of the two Shibuya events each month), and one personal challenge (for example, starting a podcast).

What you take away

A review every three months — not to rank anyone, but to decide what to try next.
Real tools: Google, Canva, Slack and others support us as a nonprofit, so you build experience with tools used at work.
Recognition twice a year (the first is planned for April–June 2027).
A record of your work: when you leave, you can choose to have what you did at Red Look shown on our website. You are always welcome back.

Professionals who want to use their work skills as pro bono volunteers are welcome too.

Things to know upfront

It's unpaid. Everyone, including me, volunteers. Transportation costs are not covered.
It's not a one-off. Staff commit in three-month cycles with goals. In return, you get to build something real with a team.
Busy periods are planned for. During exams, job hunting, or a move, you can switch to a "light period" of up to one month where you only follow the meeting notes. It is not a choice between "push through" and "quit."

If weekly involvement isn't realistic right now, you can support the place for ¥1,500 a month as one of the Red Supporters.

From application to your first month

Application form — just three questions: what resonated with you, which team interests you and why, and when you can be active.
Online interview (50 minutes) — a chance to get to know each other, not just a screening.
Observe once — sit in on a team meeting or an event.
Decide together, and start.

You don't need fluent Japanese. Much of the work happens in Japanese, and staff who are less comfortable in Japanese work in English. No certificates or test scores required.

FAQ

Can I volunteer if I live outside Japan?

Yes. Most of the work is online, and some staff take part from abroad while studying. In-person events are run by staff who can get to Shibuya or Sagamihara.

How much time does it take?

About two sessions and five hours a week, scheduled by you, plus a one-hour online meeting twice a month.

Do I need to speak Japanese?

Not fluently. Many activities are in Japanese, but you can work in English.

Is it paid?

No. Everyone at Red Look currently volunteers, including the founder.

Sources

Red Look, Volunteer staff roles (role details as of November 1, 2026)

Bring your experience to the next newcomer

If you have been the foreigner somewhere — abroad, or here in Japan — that experience can make a real difference to someone who is just starting. The application has only three questions. Let's start by getting to know each other online.