外国人女性の会パルヨン Foreign Women's Association Paruyon

09/08/2026

Paruyon is taking a summer break 🌿
This August, our team will be taking some time to rest and recharge. Paruyon will be closed from August 8 to August 23, except for our Support Line.

📞 The Support Line will remain available on Tuesday evenings, as well as on August 9 and August 23.

Tuesday nights — 8-10pm
Sunday, Aug 9 — 1-3pm
Sunday, Aug 23 —1-3pm

There may also be a few small, volunteer-led events announced during the month, so please keep an eye on our social media for updates.

Thank you for being part of our community. We hope you also find some time to slow down, take care of yourself, and enjoy the summer.

We look forward to seeing you again after the break! 💜

31/07/2026

"I haven't had a real, deep conversation in months." That was one of the things we heard at our recent Paruyon meetup in Tokyo.

Eight women from Japan, China, Vietnam, India, Serbia, Poland, and Finland gathered around one table. By the end of the afternoon, many of them were saying the same thing:

"I thought I was the only one who felt this way."
Living abroad can be exciting - but it can also be lonely. Loneliness at work.
Loneliness at university. Loneliness within the foreign community. Sometimes, even loneliness inside your own family.

At Paruyon, we believe these conversations matter.
During the meetup, we spoke about friendship, raising children in multilingual households, and what it means to build a life between cultures. Some women shared that they grew up speaking several languages themselves. Others wondered if their children would be able to do the same in Japan.

🌏 In India, growing up multilingual is part of everyday life.
👶 In Japan, many mothers worry about preserving their child's native language.
💜 In Paruyon, every experience is welcome.

There was no perfect answer that day. But there was something equally important: understanding.

For more than 19 years, Paruyon has been creating spaces where foreign women can show up exactly as they are - without needing to explain why they feel tired, homesick, or out of place.

Because sometimes, all it takes is one conversation to remind you:
You are not alone.
If you're a foreign woman living in Japan and looking for meaningful connections, we'd love to welcome you to one of our upcoming meetups.

Your seat at the table is waiting. ✨

#外国人女性 #女性コミュニティ #多文化共生

30/07/2026

"How do you dry your laundry during Japan's rainy season?" 🌧️
Sometimes, the most meaningful conversations begin with the simplest questions.
During our recent online meetup, women from six different countries came together to talk about life in Japan. 🌏

What started as a conversation about everyday challenges quickly became an afternoon of sharing experiences, advice, and support.

One participant explained how she uses her bathroom ventilation system to dry clothes during the rainy season. Others shared their favorite coin laundries and practical tips they've learned over the years.

It was a beautiful reminder that community isn't only built through big moments. Sometimes, it's built through small acts of kindness:
💬 Answering a question a newcomer was too shy to ask.
💡 Sharing a life hack that makes someone's week a little easier.
🤝 Reminding another woman that she isn't figuring it all out alone.

We also learned something important: many women want to join our meetups but can't attend during weekday daytime hours because of work.
Their voices inspired us to create something new - an evening dinner meetup in Yokohama. 🍽️

At Paruyon, we believe listening is just as important as organizing. Every conversation helps shape the community we are building together.

Thank you to everyone who joined us online. No matter how long you've lived in Japan, there is always something new we can learn from one another. 💜

28/07/2026

You asked. We made it happen. ✨ Our first Yokohama meetup for foreign women in Japan is officially here.

A few months ago, women in our community started asking if Paruyon could bring its meetups to Yokohama.

Eight women from eight different backgrounds gathered around one table to share stories, laughter, and honest conversations about life in Japan.

From careers and relationships to mental health, future plans, and finding your place in a new country, the evening reminded us that no one should have to navigate life in Japan alone.

One participant said something we'll never forget:
"This is the best group I've interacted with."
That is exactly why Paruyon exists.

For over 19 years, we've been creating spaces where foreign women can feel welcomed, supported, and connected. And this meetup was especially meaningful because it happened for one simple reason:
You asked for it.

Here's to new friendships, meaningful conversations, and the beginning of something special in Yokohama. 🥂

See you at the next meetup - we'll save you a seat. 💜

#外国人女性 #女性コミュニティ #多文化共生

28/07/2026

Notice: Kumamoto City International Exchange Center is now serving as an evacuation shelter. Anyone affected by this earthquake, or anyone who feels anxious and does not want to stay at home, may evacuate to the shelter.

If you evacuate, please bring your own personal items, such as a change of clothes. https://www.kumamoto-if.or.jp/kcic/kiji0033802/index.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawTVdcpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFHd2dBSG0yaXRPV2lvakNqc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkZvaCzqa-87OukW-fucIda1CDbWJB5dxN01dBq2ikKUT0lMCE1CYT7ZNpRn_aem_QwTKTM6yKRDfIjH3yNzVNQ

熊本市国際交流会館は避難所となりました。 / （一財）熊本市国際交流振興事業団

27/07/2026

A Place Where Every Story Matters 💜
Last week, our Shinjuku space welcomed another Paruyon gathering for foreign women living in Tokyo. This time, we were joined by 9 women from Japan, China, Netherlands, Sri Lanka, and Australia.

In a warm and relaxed atmosphere, we talked about life in Japan, family, parenting, future plans, and relationships.

What made this meeting especially meaningful was that many participants have been attending our events for a long time. It reminds us that Paruyon is more than an event - it is a community people want to come back to.

One participant shared:
“I’ve attended other international meetups, but I feel the most comfortable at Paruyon.”

These are the words that inspire us to continue creating safe spaces for women in Japan.

During our conversations, we explored:
✨ How different countries approach changing surnames after marriage.
👨‍👩‍👧 How international families choose surnames for their children.
🇯🇵 The realities of building relationships and life in Japan.
🤝 Experiences of divorce, healing, and supporting one another through difficult times.

Gatherings like these remind us how important it is to have a place where you feel heard and understood.

For many foreign women, life in Japan can sometimes feel lonely and challenging. That is why, for more than 19 years, Paruyon has been bringing women from different backgrounds together - helping them find friendship, support, and a sense of belonging.

Thank you to our volunteers who make these gatherings possible, and to every participant for sharing your stories with openness and trust.

We believe that when women support one another, strong communities are built. 💜

#多文化共生 #外国人女性 #女性コミュニティ

26/07/2026

Paruyon was featured by the Government of Japan🇯🇵 But this story isn't only about us.

Yesterday, the Government of Japan introduced Paruyon on its official English social media channels, sharing our story and the work we have been doing to support foreign women across Japan.

One thing especially touched us. The post highlights our volunteers.
Women who organize meetups, welcome newcomers, translate, listen, encourage, share their experiences, and create spaces where others feel they belong.

Some first joined Paruyon looking for support. Today, they are the ones supporting others. This is what our community has always been about.

For almost 20 years, Paruyon has grown thanks to people who believe that no woman should have to navigate life in Japan alone.

To every volunteer - past and present - thank you.

If you'd like to read the Government of Japan's feature, you can find it here:
🔗 Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/JapanGov/posts/1437540931731792
🔗 X: https://x.com/japan/status/2080259130095448290
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/what-helps-a-new-place-begin-to-feel-like-ugcPost-7486024545636597762-gW_8/

Your kindness, time, and dedication are the reason our community exists. We are deeply grateful for everything you do. 💜

25/07/2026

Too Hot to Go Outside? 🥵 Stay Cool - And Stay Connected 🫂

Japan's summer can be beautiful, but it can also be exhausting.
When temperatures keep climbing day after day, even simple things like walking to the station, grocery shopping, or meeting friends can feel overwhelming. It's no surprise that many people choose to stay indoors until the heat eases.

If you're spending more time at home these days, don't forget to take care of yourself. Drink plenty of water, avoid going outside during the hottest hours, wear light clothing, and remember that heat exhaustion can happen faster than you think.

But there's something else that's easy to lose during days like these - connection.
When it's simply too hot to go out, it's easy to keep saying, "Maybe next week." Before you know it, days or even weeks have passed without a meaningful conversation.

That's one of the reasons we're meeting online tomorrow 🥰
Our ONLINE Meeting for Foreign Women is a chance to relax with a cold drink, meet women from different countries, share experiences, ask questions about life in Japan, practice English or Japanese, or simply enjoy listening to others in a friendly and welcoming space.

📅 July 26, Sunday
🕒 3:00 - 4:30 PM (JST)
💻 Zoom
🌏 English & Japanese

✨ Register here:
🔗 https://www.meetup.com/kyoto-osaka-foreign-womens-meetups/events/315814474/

We'd love to see you there. 💜

24/07/2026

NPO Foreign Women's Association Paruyon's activities were introduced on Japan - The Government of Japan FB today.

17/07/2026

Some conversations change the way you experience a country✨

For some, Japan is the country where they found their dream job. For others, it's where they're learning the language, raising children, starting over, or simply trying to find their place.

Every story is different.

Join us in Kyoto for an afternoon of open conversation, where women from around the world come together to share their unique experiences of life in Japan.

You might leave with a practical tip, a new perspective, or a meaningful connection - but most importantly, you'll discover you're not the only one navigating this journey.

✨ Hear different stories and perspectives
🌏 Share your own experiences of living in Japan
💬 Practice simple English or Japanese
🤝 Connect with women from diverse backgrounds
☕ Enjoy a relaxed afternoon in a welcoming space

📅 Sunday, July 26
🕒 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
📍 Cafe Pia Hito Machi, Kyoto

💛 Participation is free
🗣 Simple English & Japanese
👩 Women-only event (non-binary people are also welcome)

🔖 Reserve your place:
https://www.meetup.com/kyoto-osaka-foreign-womens-meetups/events/315541767/

Every conversation adds another piece to the story of living in Japan. We'd love to hear yours. 💛