Thank you for checking out the AFWJ website. We are a diverse group of women living all over Japan, as well as some overseas. Now celebrating our 51st year as an organization, AFWJ has changed and grown over the years, but the core reason for our existence is the same: Offering friendship and support to international women in long-term relationships with Japanese nationals.
The rise of the Internet and social media makes it easier than ever to reach out to others, and AFWJ has a wide array of e-groups to suit the needs of members. However, being able to meet in person—whether at the local level, or at the annual National Convention—adds a whole new dimension to relationships. I can travel practically anywhere in Japan, and be sure of a warm welcome from local members. The connections we build lead to long-term, lasting friendships. Moreover, the wide range of backgrounds offers a chance to forge bonds with women of various ages and nationalities, and to benefit from the collective knowledge and wisdom of the group, whether the topic is relationships, childrearing, professional networking, legal advice or simply daily life in Japan. AFWJ members become like family, and we are there to share the good times and help each other through the hard times.
Louise George Kittaka,
AFWJ President, 2020-2021
In 1969, a foreign woman married to a Japanese, Joan Itoh, was looking for other foreign wives of Japanese. A JapanTimes newspaper columnist, Jean Pearce, became instrumental in the creation of AFWJ when she mentioned two separate times in her column about the first get together on September 7, 1969 at the Tokyo American Club. Her third column announced that the meeting was a success.
