#Japan #Leadership #Tokyo #nonprofit #LoanDEAL

LoanDeal's Next-Generation Leader Development Program

LoanDeal Co., Ltd., headquartered in Minato City, Tokyo, has introduced its first-ever program aimed at nurturing young leaders within the nonprofit sector. Set to commence in April 2025, this initiative is specifically tailored for young leaders at the nonprofit organization After School NPO, located in Bunkyo City, Tokyo. The program spans six months and combines cognitive training with practical mentoring to cultivate skills essential for leadership in social projects.

Japan's nonprofit sector has long faced challenges in resource allocation for staff development and training, often hindering their business expansion and organizational strength. A recent national survey conducted by the Cabinet Office revealed that about 70% of organizations identify human resource acquisition and training as a key management issue—a trend that has persisted over the last decade. For individuals who have developed their careers from the ground up, opportunities to acquire essential business development skills and broaden their perspectives through collaboration with corporations and government entities have been limited.

This initiative is made possible with financial support from the Apollo Foundation, alongside the adoption of After School NPO into the Social Sector Management Growth Support Grant program managed by the organization ETIC, which marks a significant step forward for LoanDeal. The company’s proven leadership development strategies previously aimed at large corporations are being adapted for the nonprofit sector for the first time.

The overarching goal of the program is to empower leaders responsible for operating child care services and similar programs to take on significant roles in expanding social impacts through collaborations with municipalities and companies. Participants will acquire the capabilities and insights necessary to lead their organizations toward sustainable growth.

Program Features

• - Supporting the Transition: The program is designed to assist participants in evolving from frontline staff to business development leaders.
• - Diverse Learning Opportunities: Participants will engage in learning scenarios that challenge and broaden their perspectives, allowing them to connect with a variety of viewpoints and logic.
• - Visible Transformation: By making cognitive and behavioral patterns transparent, the program aims to encourage self-transformation through practical processes.

Program Overview

• - Target Audience: Young leaders in their 30s working at After School NPO
• - Objective: To cultivate essential business development skills and insights required for promoting collaborative work with municipalities and enterprises, ultimately empowering them to become critical assets for organizational growth.
• - Structure:

- First Three Months: Participation in cognitive training called “outsight,” which involves a total of twelve training sessions conducted once a week for three months.
- Last Three Months: Practical support, focusing on real-world initiatives with municipalities and businesses, enhanced by one-on-one mentoring and text communication to bolster execution capabilities.
- Follow-Up Workshops: Group sessions to recap conducted at the start, mid-point, and conclusion of the program.

About outsight

Outsight is an online program focused on sharpening cognitive abilities by engaging participants in discussions and proposal presentations centered on real strategic challenges faced by venture companies. Participants work collaboratively to develop viable solutions, which are then evaluated by business leaders and peers alike, leading to engaging discussions. Throughout the three-month course, participants will encounter problems from six diverse ventures, allowing them to foster necessary negotiation and consensus-building skills vital for future collaborations.

Since its inception in 2021, outsight has garnered significant traction, with 65 companies implementing the program and 642 participants involved as of June 2025.

Statements from Stakeholders

Yuki Shimamura, Deputy Representative and Secretariat Manager at After School NPO states, "We are committed to providing children with happiness in the present and the future through activities and safe spaces during after-school hours. To expand our efforts nationwide, we need collaboration and consensus with municipalities, companies, and other organizations. However, opportunities to gain this experience within current projects have been limited. I genuinely hope that our passionate young staff in the social sector acquire the common language and cognitive skills through this training to dynamically lead projects alongside various stakeholders."

Future Outlook

This program addresses common talent development issues faced across various frontline service industries, such as education, food services, retail, and transportation, indicating potential for further adaptation in different fields. LoanDeal aims to leverage the insights gained from existing programs, continuing to support and strengthen diverse organizations' capacities beyond the nonprofit sector, ensuring comprehensive employee development and organizational growth.

Additional Information

• - After School NPO focuses on creating safe and enriching environments for children across Japan and has been operational since 2009. They work tirelessly to improve after-school opportunities in collaboration with local governments and enterprises. For more details, visit After School NPO.
• - LoanDeal focuses on crossing boundaries to support talent development and organizational progress. For more details, please check LoanDeal’s Website as well as their specific programs for enhanced learning opportunities.