Specified Nonprofit Corporation Sankakusha is based in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, and works to support young people between the ages of 15 and 25 who cannot rely on their parents or adults around them, helping them avoid isolation and move toward independence. This time, we spoke with Ms. Saemi, who oversees corporate relationships at Sankakusha.

What was the motivation for founding Sankakusha?

Sankakusha was established in 2019 by our representative director, Mr. Arai.

The origin goes back to when he met a homeless person during his university days. After being approached on the street, they continued meeting regularly at a fast-food restaurant just to talk. This experience sparked his interest in supporting homeless people, and he began volunteering in the field.

What surprised him most was that among the people living on the streets, there were quite a few who were his own age, in their twenties. He realized that people of similar age could end up in completely different life situations depending on the environment they were born into. This led him to think: “Support is needed before people fall into homelessness.” Gradually, his focus shifted toward helping young people, and that became the foundation of Sankakusha’s establishment.

Why is support for young people necessary?

While there has been growing awareness of “child poverty” and more support for children, assistance for young people is still insufficient. We estimate that many youths who suffered from abuse or neglect during childhood have spent more than a decade silently enduring hardship at home, unnoticed by anyone.

By the time they reach their late teens or early twenties, they may finally escape their parents but struggle to secure stable housing or jobs. Many end up living on the streets, in internet cafés, or moving from one acquaintance’s home to another.

This is why Sankakusha provides support in three key areas: safe place, housing, and employment, so that young people who cannot rely on their families can participate in society.

【Three Main Sankakusha activities】

Ibasho no Kyoten


Share house


Shigoto no Kyoten（Newly opened in July 2025）

Could you share a memorable story from your activities?

Sankakusha currently operates one community location, four shared housing (plus several individual shelter rooms), and, as of July 2025, a new employment support center. Sankakusha has engaged with more than 500 young people and maintain ongoing contact with about 100 at any given time.

One memorable story involves a young man who initially showed almost no expression and spoke very little when he first connected with Sankakusha. At first, our staff simply kept talking to him, even when he gave no response, so that he might see us as trustworthy adults. Gradually, he began to reply.

We then introduced him to local residents who support Sankakusha—helping at a coffee stand, assisting in event operations, or joining community cleanups. Soon, he began to interact with people independently and regained a sense of brightness in his life.

After two to three years with us, he passed the national judicial scrivener exam on his first attempt and recently received a job offer from a company. When he said, “I want to give back to Sankakusha and the people in this community,” it was a moment that made us feel deeply rewarded for our work.

How will the FIT donation be used?

In July 2025, Sankakusha opened a new center focused specifically on employment support. Using the FIT donation, we plan to implement programs where young people can think about work in a safe and supportive environment.

Many of the youths we work with have difficulties with relationships, and even if they start working, they often return quickly. We believe a “pre-employment preparation period” is necessary.

At the new center, we also plan to run a small dining business as a training ground: staff will act as chefs, while young people will take roles such as serving or assisting. With operations about once a week, we hope to create a space where they can build confidence, explore interests, and consider future career paths without anxiety.

What is most important to you in continuing this work?

What we value most is treating young people not as “recipients of support” but as individual human beings.

Our philosophy is to “struggle together, eat together, play together, and think together.”

Rather than simply focusing on numerical outcomes like “X number of people found jobs,” we place importance on small but meaningful changes — like when someone who used to be silent begins to smile a little.

Finally, do you have a message for readers?

First, we want people to know that there are young individuals who have endured abuse in silence and are still desperately trying to get through each day alone.

If you feel that “support for young people is necessary,” we would be truly grateful for your help through donations. We are always recruiting monthly supporters, and corporate contributions are also great support.

Sankakusha also hosts casual events that anyone can join, such as charity runs, comedy shows (we have three comedians on staff!), and food events. We hope many people will find their own way to get involved in “youth support.”

Group photo of Sankakusha Members

Specified Nonprofit Corporation Sankakusha
https://www.sankakusha.or.jp/