School is not the only classroom. Other countries, villages, failures and encounters all teach us something. IMPACT ASIA uses the developing countries of Asia as infrastructure for learning.
We are based in Fukuoka, Japan, with a team on the ground in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Short study programs set in the middle of real social issues, mainly in Cambodia. Japanese students team up with local students, research a problem, plan an action, carry it out and present it in English. English is a tool here, not the goal. Universities can award credit for the program.
KIMITABI (Japanese) ↗Hands-on support for Japanese companies entering ASEAN markets, strategy for new ventures in ASEAN, and global training for companies and organizations.
Short, intensive English programs, mainly in the Philippines, planned around each learner’s goals.
Before departure and after returning, on a 10-point scale, with n shown. We do not pick only the good numbers.
Satisfaction has not dropped as we have grown.
Compared by the share of satisfied participants across seasons, 2025 → 2026.
Few lasting systems remain in the village so far. We have made places where children can talk about their future, but we have not yet reached the barriers between that future and reality. From next season, we will keep working on this.
Source: Summer 2026 program report (for universities). The same students before departure and after returning, 10-point scale. The report is sent to schools that request our materials.
Source: internal operating records
Students from 32 schools and universities have joined KIMITABI (Spring 2024 – Summer 2026).
Founder / CEO
Kazuki Watanabe
Started a company as a university student and closed it within two years. After working at an investment fund, he moved to the Philippines and co-founded MeRISE, an English school in Cebu, in 2012. He now builds “the world as a classroom” at IMPACT ASIA.
Director
Yusuke Takagi
Cambridge MBA. Launched businesses for NTT in China and the US, led Recruit’s business in the Philippines, and served as CEO of Quipper Philippines. Founded Tigersia Partners in 2024 to support companies in Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Cambodia Lead
Kazunari Fujimura
Traveled the world as a backpacker, then led Japanese operations at language schools in the Philippines. Based in Cambodia, he runs our programs on the ground and is launching Vietnam.
Operations Specialist
Rui Shikada
Started as a systems engineer at NEC, then moved into IT and study-abroad companies. Since 2019 she has been based in Cebu, Philippines, running language-school operations on the ground.
For schools, companies, media and partners. Our contact form is in Japanese, but you are welcome to write in English. You can also email us.