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Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan (SeEJ) is an online course that fosters Japanese students’ creative thinking and innovative problem-solving skills to address social issues. The program is offered twice a year by 91³Ô¹Ï and the non-profit organization e-Entrepreneurship in Japan. Below, course instructor Irene Bryant reflects on SeEJ’s fifth anniversary.

This year marks a significant milestone for the Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan Program—five incredible years of cultivating changemakers, sparking ideas, and building a global network of purpose-driven students. What began as a small initiative in 2020 has blossomed into a thriving community of passionate individuals committed to creating positive social impact.

To celebrate this journey, we hosted our first-ever alumni networking event in the vibrant city of Tokyo. The energy in the room was electric. With 40 alumni in attendance, representing nearly every cohort since the program’s inception, the event was more than just a reunion—it was a living testament to the power of connection, collaboration, and shared purpose.

I believe the friendships formed at [this] alumni event are a testament to our shared effort and mutual respect throughout the Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan Program. Connecting with like-minded individuals always ignites something in me, and I’m excited to see where our journeys take us next. — Carina Nagai, Spring 2024

After five years of virtual connections, meeting my students and the e-Entrepreneurship team in person was nothing short of inspiring. Some students traveled from across Japan—including Osaka, Gunma, Kumamoto, and Yamaguchi—to be part of the celebration. The buzz and energy of the alumni event stayed with me throughout the week in Tokyo. Being surrounded by so many driven, creative, and compassionate individuals was a powerful reminder of the importance of building and nurturing a community that not only dreams big, but also takes action.

As students shared their college acceptances, future plans, and the exciting projects they’re working on, program teaching assistant Naho Ohara reflected on the experience:

Sharing time together in person made me appreciate the real impact of this program even more. I’m committed to continuing to evolve it into an even more meaningful learning experience.

As part of the week’s events, we also visited Netflix Japan with a small group of students. It was eye-opening to see how a company that started with a bold idea in Scotts Valley (just outside Silicon Valley) had grown to shape entertainment across the world. The visit also highlighted how global platforms can serve as vehicles for social impact. Just as social entrepreneurs aim to drive change through innovative solutions, companies like Netflix influence how stories are told and whose voices are amplified. This aligns closely with our program’s mission: to empower students to think critically about the role of business, media, and technology in shaping a more inclusive and equitable world. Komari Machida, Fall 2023, commented:

I was deeply moved by how Netflix models itself on a professional sports team, not a family. The culture fosters an entrepreneurial mindset—encouraging individuals to take initiative and continuously improve—while supporting them with flexibility and a collaborative environment. I want to carry this mindset into university studies as well, looking and chasing for opportunities to grow not only as a student, but as a future professional.

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Alumni visited Netflix’s Tokyo office for a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s work culture and operations. Top row: Komari Machida (Fall 2023), Meru Yamaguchi (Fall 2024), Middle row: Ryusei Grovè (Fall 2024), Bottom row: Riho Otsu (Fall 2024), Shinnosuke Nakagawa (Fall 2024); photo courtesy Irene Bryant.

What makes this anniversary even more special is seeing how our alumni network has grown—and continues to grow. These changemakers are not just building projects; they’re building each other up. The program may last a few months, but the students’ relationships and shared sense of purpose last much longer.

As we look ahead to the next chapter of the Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan Program, this milestone reminded us of how far we’ve come—and how much possibility lies ahead. We’re more committed than ever to expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and creating even more opportunities for students to explore social entrepreneurship as a force for good.

It has been five years since the launch of Stanford e-Entrepreneurship Japan, and the program has produced many graduates. Some of them are now entering the workforce, and hearing their future visions—many of which are focused on solving social issues—made me realize the impact this program has had. I look forward to seeing the continued success of our alumni in the years to come. — Yusuke Ed Matsuda, Director, e-Entrepreneurship

Thank you to every student, guest speaker, staff member, and supporter who has been part of this journey. I extend my sincere appreciation to our past and present spring instructors, Maiko Tamagawa Bacha and Makiko Hirata, as well as to the generous donors who have made the program possible: Andy and Mako Ogawa; Noriko Honda Chen and Norman Chen; Richard Barker; and Tomonori and Sakiko Tani. I’m also deeply grateful to SeEJ’s founding visionaries, Dr. Gary Mukai and Mr. Yusuke Ed Matsuda, whose leadership made this all possible. Here’s to the next five years and beyond!