LEMI Women's Community
LEMI is an expert-led, uplifting community for women in Japan of any nationality or profession. Our events and resources focus on Connection, Care, and Courage to help us enjoy Less Effort and More Impact in our work and lives.
Welcome To LEMI
If you're like many women in business in Japan, you're busy, you work hard, and you put other people first. The LEMI Women's Community is here to bring you fresh perspectives, inspiring role models, and a warm welcome.
Join us for our next event
on March 15 in Roppongi!
EVENT DETAILS
Our uplifting events and practical resources are centered around
Connection
Members enjoy connecting across industries and nationalities, sharing fresh perspectives and possibilities for professional women.
Care
With selfcare as a success strategy, we explore and embrace practical ways to enjoy less effort and more impact in our work and lives.
Courage
We inspire each other to develop the courage to step out of our comfort zones, so that we can stop depleting ourselves through physical, mental, and emotional overdoing.
This is how we can start enjoying our work and life to the fullest!
APPLY TO JOIN LEMI“Surround yourself with people who are going to lift you higher.”
- Oprah Winfrey
Here's a bit of what we get up to...
What women in Japan say they love about LEMI
○ Perspective shifts - making work and life easier!
○ Practical and instant takeaways from various topics
○ From negative to positive thinking
○ Intercultural exchange (11 nationalities!)
○ Honne (not tatemae)
○ A safe space
○ True friends
○ No pressure to attend events - be there when you can
○ Comprehensive writeups and resources
One LEMIer said it was like A Confidence Vitamin!
「ポジティブな女性に出会いたくて」
- Akiko
「私の知らない世界を教えてくれる」
- Mayumi
"Room full of positive, energetic, and inspiring people"
- Aya Jean
「色んなお話を聞いて、やっぱりもっと自分も色々挑戦していきたいなと」
- Emi
「一つ自分の殻を破ってみたくて」
- Yuki
「普段はこんなにたくさんの素敵な女性に会うことがないな」
- Yumiko
"Get some great inspiration and ideas"
- Sarah
「本当にどなたでも女性の参加すべきイベントだと思います」
- Fumiko
"Helen's events create a space for like-minded women to connect, share stories, and inspire one another, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved!"
- Emi
「LEMI では、様々なバックグラウンドの女性達と繋がりを作れることに期待します。共通点は英語、海外に興味があること、働く女性であることでしょう。ヘレンさんのもとで、素敵なコミュニティの誕生に立ち会えることを楽しみにしています。」
- Yumiko
"I'm thrilled to be part of this amazing event, unlike anything you'll find elsewhere. Connect, engage in honest conversations, and discover endless inspiration. We know Helen is the visionary who can turn this dream into a reality."
- Miyako
"I’m passionate about realizing digital and sustainability transformation in large-scale companies. I’m interested in discussing with other women at the event creative and practical ways to bring change to society – especially by leveraging technology, re-engineering operations, and reshaping organizations. Less Effort More Impact!"
- Mari
「ヘレンさんが主催するコミュニティは、いつでも安心できる優しい雰囲気に包まれているところに魅力を感じます。悩みに共感したり、新しい考え方のヒントを得られたり、様々なメンバーとの交流で得られる体験にワクワクしています。」
- Fumiko T
“So happy to meet fabulous professional women who can be or are the fantastic role models for less effort and more impact, so much needed concept for women in Japan."
- Fumiko Y
FAQs
Which language is used? 日本語でもいいですか
How do I become a LEMI Member?
What are the LEMIer benefits?
What is the annual membership fee?
Any other questions? Contact Team Sasuga! here.
Next Event
⏰ Saturday, March 15, 2-5 p.m.
📍 Code Chrysalis
Connection, Care, and Courage
to Accelerate Action
A Panel Discussion Celebrating International Women's Day
with Aya Yamagouchi, Junko Kubokuwa, and Maria Shimmur
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action,” sounds exciting—but what does it really take to move forward with confidence?
For many women, the drive to take action is there, but challenges like self-doubt, competing priorities, and lack of support can slow us down. That’s where Connection, Care, and Courage come in.
Join us for this inspiring International Women’s Day panel discussion, where three accomplished women will share their personal stories and practical strategies for overcoming obstacles and making meaningful progress—without burnout.
In this interactive session, we’ll explore
💡 How to build the connections that support your success
💡 The role of care—for yourself and others—in sustainable growth
💡 How to develop the courage to take bold steps, even when uncertainty looms
Expect engaging conversation, real-world insights, and small-group discussions that will leave you with fresh perspectives and actionable ideas to accelerate your next step forward.
Let’s celebrate, connect, and take action—together!
Our Superstar Speakers
Aya Yamanouchi
People & Culture Senior Manager, LVMH
After graduating from university, Aya learned about retail at a women's clothing manufacturing and sales brand managed by her father.
After that, she went to France and obtained a French study degree from Sorbonne University Paris III.
Upon returning to Japan, she worked as a freelance trainer and coach for fashion-related companies.
Subsequently, she joined Gucci as a Retail Training Manager.
In 2018, she joined LVMH. After serving as the Retail Training Manager at Christian Dior Couture, she moved within the company and is now the Senior People & Culture Manager in the Human Resources Department of LVMH Japan for 7 years.
Junko Kubokawa
Representative Director & President, Croda Japan K.K.
Junko Kubokawa is a Representative Director & President of Croda Japan K.K. headquartered in Tokyo with production & R&D site in Shiga. Croda Japan, established in 1966, is a Japanese subsidiary of Croda International Plc.
Junko is a member of Executive Committee of British Chamber of Commerce in Japan focusing on DEI; a Vice Chairman of Japan Cosmetic Suppliers Association, and a Vice President of INSEAD Alumni Association Japan and co-lead for its Women in Business Club.
Junko joined Croda Japan in 2014 as Sales & Marketing Director, before assuming the current role in 2017.
Previously she held positions of Division Heads in Japanese offices of major German chemical company and of a Swiss company in the field of specialty chemicals for personal care, life sciences and other applications.
Junko has a bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from University of Tokyo and an MBA from INSEAD, France.
She is married with a daughter who just got married this year.
Maria Shimura
Business English Coach, Interpreter, and Global Communicator
With 15 years of experience in global business, Maria specializes in Business English coaching for executives, equipping them with practical communication strategies drawn from her background as an executive assistant and interpreter for foreign CEOs. She also provides interpretation services for business negotiations and global events.
Having lived in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and Germany, Maria has a deep understanding of cross-cultural communication, which she integrates into her coaching. Additionally, her experience delivering a TEDx talk in 2022—“Why Don’t We Hug in Japan?”—allows her to mentor professionals in impactful English presentations.
Maria’s journey has been one of transformation—from once lacking confidence and being overly concerned with others’ opinions to embracing bold challenges and seizing remarkable opportunities.
She has served as the executive assistant and interpreter for the French Vice President of Nissan Motor Corporation (during the tumultuous period surrounding Carlos Ghosn’s arrest!!), provided interpretation for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ MRJ aircraft maintenance team—the first domestically produced jet in Japan—and in May 2024, published her book on “How to learn Business English”.
Maria’s mission is to empower professionals by sharing her experiences and strategies, proving that with the right mindset and approach, anyone can thrive in the global business arena.
Our Marvelous Moderator
Helen Iwata
Women’s Success, Leadership, and Communication Coach
Originally from the UK, Helen has lived and worked in Japan for over 30 years.
At McKinsey, she managed three departments and was one of the few certified trainers in Asia, coaching high-achieving consultants and clients in leadership and communication.
After establishing her own business in 2013, Helen became passionate about helping women in Japan succeed professionally—without sacrificing their personal lives. This came from her own painful experiences of burnout and witnessing other high-performing women constantly pushing themselves to exhaustion.
It’s natural to want to do excellent work and keep everyone happy, right? But it’s mottainai (a waste) if it comes at the cost of your health and happiness.
Through years of experience, research, trial, and error, Helen discovered a better way—one that integrates practical professional skills with physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. She calls it “Less Effort, More Impact.”
Event flow
14:00 Doors open - enjoy the opportunity to meet others
14:20 Welcome and intro
14:30 Panel discussion with audience Q&A
15:30 Cookie break 🍪
15:45 Breakouts - putting it into practice
16:15 Meet & Mingle
16:45 Announcements and wrap
17:00 Doors close
What to bring
- Business cards or QR codes (if you’d like to exchange them)
- A pen and paper for taking notes
- Your own drink or a water bottle if you’d like to use the water fountain (we aim to be environmentally conscious)
- An open mind, ready to enjoy yourself 😊
LEMI Events
2025
1月25日 - LEMI Shinnenkai Lunch
2月8日 - The Culture of One ~ Transforming Cross-Cultural Barriers into High-Performance Drivers with Natsuyo Lipschutz, CSP, MBA
3月15日 - IWD Panel Discussion: Connection, Care, and Courage to Accelerate Action
4月12日 - LEMI Walk and Talk in Yoyogi Park
5月10日 - #IAmRemarkable workshop with Jennifer Shinkai, PCC
6月 (date tbc) - Panel discussion open to male guests
Past Events
(writeups and call replays available in the LEMI Member Library).
2024
2月 - Lead A More Confident And Secure Digital Life with Nikki Vote
3月 - Ohanami Brunch Picnic
4月 - Creating Space with Helen Iwata
5月 - Instantly Improve Your Next Presentation By Avoiding These 3 Body Language Mistakes with Heather Dobbin
6月 - LEMI’s 1st anniversary of Connection, Care, and Courage for Women in Business in Japan
7月 - Syncing Success: How Hormone Cycles Shape Workplace Performance with Helen Iwata
8月 - Women in Business: Strategies for Corporate and Entrepreneurial Success with Tomoe Ueyama, Reiko Kusunose, Alisaun Fukugaki, and Heather Dobbin
9月 - Outdoor Adventure with Alison Beale
10月- Being At Your Prime In Perimenopause And Menopause with Miyako Hazama
11月 - Reflect and Reset Retreat And Early Christmas Extravaganza
2023
7月 - The Power of Giving Up with Helen Iwata and Noriko Suzumura
8月 - Speak Up and Stand Out (in a good way) as a Woman in Business with Kyoko Takeyama
9月 - Learning From The Failures of Successful Women with Jun Masuyama, Tracey Northcott, Akiko Chinju, and Heather Dobbin
10月 - One-day Founding Members’ Retreat
11月 - Be More Disappointing! with Lana Suvorova
12月 - Beyond Tokyo with Helen Iwata
We're thrilled and grateful that LEMI is sponsored by
Maya Angelou said
“Family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.”
