Women's Initiative for Sustainable Empowerment

Dear Supporters,

Thank you, as always, for your warm encouragement and generosity. Building on the remarkable momentum of WISE Obuse 2026, we are excited to share that WISE will return to Obuse in 2027.

Over the years, WISE has grown into a community with lasting influence. What begins as a small workshop often expands into meaningful, ongoing change for participants and their communities. We are pleased to share that our network of WISE Fellows has now grown to over 390, a testament to your support and the dedication of everyone involved.

This October, we met with the mayor and members of the Town Council, who expressed strong enthusiasm for collaborating again in 2027. We have also brought together an excellent group of mentors eager to guide the next cohort, and secured local support to use Obuse’s historic facilities and museums for the program. 

Obuse is a charming town known for its historic streetscape, beautiful rural scenery, and the phoenix ceiling painting at Ganshoin Temple, one of Hokusai’s final masterpieces. It is also famous for its wonderful grapes, apples, and chestnuts. Yet like many rural areas, the town continues to face economic strain and an uneven recovery in tourism. In addition, young people and women still encounter barriers rooted in traditional expectations and subtle forms of bias, which can limit their opportunities to step forward with confidence.

At JSIE, we remain committed to creating spaces where youth and women can discover their strengths, broaden their perspectives, and explore new possibilities for themselves and their communities. Your continued support enables us to keep offering these opportunities, and we are truly grateful.

We look forward to sharing more updates as preparations for WISE in Obuse 2027 move ahead, and we sincerely hope you will consider visiting the town with us.

Warm regards,

Links:

• 2026 WISE in Obuse
• WISE program information
• Testimonials by WISE fellows