Speaking in Sagamihara: NPO Red Look Advancing Intergenerational & Cross-Sector Exchange

Working together for regional revitalization and international career development in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.

At the invitation of the Sagamihara Civic Activities Support Center, Eric, Chairperson of NPO Red Look, delivered a presentation on February 15, 2026 (Sunday), under the theme of intergenerational and cross-sector exchange.

We addressed two pressing challenges:

The difficulty young people face in building international careers.
The aging of international volunteers who have long supported global exchange initiatives.

We proposed that Red Look’s model could serve as part of the solution.

Event Overview and Purpose in Sagamihara

Following a formal request from the Sagamihara Civic Activities Support Center, Eric delivered a community-focused lecture on intergenerational exchange on February 15, 2026. Approximately 100 participants attended.

During the session, we introduced Red Look’s mission, practical initiatives, and our vision for contributing to the local community through international collaboration.

Red Look’s Strength: International Exchange & Career Development

NPO Red Look provides community-based support for both Japanese and non-Japanese individuals:

Empowering Japanese professionals with the skills to work abroad.
Supporting non-Japanese residents in building sustainable careers in Japan.

Our initiatives combine:

Practical language support
Career consultation
Matching and employment guidance
Ongoing mentorship through both online and offline platforms

For local governments, this approach contributes to:

Workforce diversification
Addressing labor shortages
Enhancing inclusive community development

Why Is It Difficult for Young People to Build International Careers?

Today, structural challenges exist on both sides:

For Japanese Youth

Many high school and university students wish to study abroad but are unable to do so due to financial constraints, influenced by factors such as the weak yen and prolonged economic stagnation. According to survey results released by “Tobitate! (Leap for Tomorrow) Study Abroad JAPAN,” approximately 70% cite financial reasons as a barrier to overseas study.

For International Students in Japan

Around 70% of international students graduating from Japanese universities hope to work in Japan. However, only about 35% successfully secure employment domestically (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare data).

Additional Structural Issues

High early turnover rate: 28.0% of foreign workers in Japan leave within one year of employment, compared to 15.4% among Japanese workers.
Brain drain: Highly skilled international graduates relocate to other countries in pursuit of better opportunities.

These dynamics weaken Japan’s long-term competitiveness and undermine sustainable multicultural integration.

Aging International Volunteers: Concerns About Sustainability

The aging of volunteers in the international exchange sector has become a significant concern across civic organizations.

In an era where people are expected to live to 100:

Pension concerns
Financial pressures
Succession issues within organizations

are leading many seniors to prioritize paid work over volunteer activities.

In the past, retirees had more flexibility to contribute to community-based international exchange. However, as more older adults remain in the workforce, volunteer numbers may decline, threatening the sustainability of international initiatives (based on internal research by NPO Red Look).

Regional Revitalization in an Aging Society

As Japan faces declining birth rates and rapid aging, Red Look proposes a collaborative model where Japanese and non-Japanese residents jointly contribute to local communities.

Through initiatives such as:

Multilingual neighborhood support networks
Cross-cultural exchange programs for seniors
Integration of foreign employment support with senior community-building
Our online platform “Red Hub”

we aim to address labor shortages while fostering inclusive and resilient local ecosystems.

Message from Chairperson Eric

“Over the past three years, I have witnessed firsthand how Japanese and non-Japanese individuals can effectively learn from and teach one another while building international careers together.

Sagamihara is often described as a microcosm of Japan. While the national foreign resident ratio is approximately 2%, Sagamihara’s is around 3%.

We aim to create a role model here in Sagamihara—a ‘miniature Japan’—where Japanese and non-Japanese residents collaboratively develop international careers and solve regional challenges together.”

— Eric

Three Key Benefits from a Government Perspective

Industrial support through workforce diversification
Particularly in IT/engineering, caregiving, tourism, and agriculture.
Improved safety through multilingual senior support networks
Enhancing accessibility and inclusivity.
Regional branding through international talent development
Positioning Sagamihara as a model city for multicultural collaboration.

Call to Action

NPO Red Look is building a “third place” for Japanese and non-Japanese individuals—a mutually beneficial environment where international careers and community engagement intersect.

We operate:

Online (Red Hub community)
In Tokyo and Kanagawa
Locally in Sagamihara

We welcome collaboration, participation, and dialogue as we continue to expand this model.

Internal Links (Within Our Website)

About our online group:
https://red-look.com/red-hub.html
Staff recruitment in Sagamihara:
https://red-look.com/staff.html
Contact page:
https://red-look.com/ja/contact.html

External Reference Links (Public Institutions)

Sagamihara City Official Website:
https://www.city.sagamihara.kanagawa.jp/
Sagamihara SDGs Partner Program:
https://sdgs.city.sagamihara.kanagawa.jp/partner/1320-2/

Speaking in Sagamihara: NPO Red Look Advancing Intergenerational & Cross-Sector Exchange