Grameen Nippon

What Grameen Nippon does

Grameen Nippon (一般社団法人グラミン日本) is a Tokyo-based non-profit General Incorporated Association founded in September 2018 that adapts the Grameen Bank microfinance methodology — developed by 2006 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh in 1983 — to the Japanese context. Its primary beneficiary population is single mothers and women in financial hardship; roughly 97% of its borrowers are female, mirroring the Grameen Bank pattern. The core offering is a small-dollar microfinance loan product capped at ¥500,000 per borrower, disbursed at low interest and unsecured, with repayment amounts that flex based on the borrower's repayment history and ongoing center meetings. This lending sits inside a three-part support model of financing, education, and peer accompaniment.

The product portfolio extends beyond lending to include the free online Mirai Workshop (a three-step program covering self-reflection, idea formation, and business planning, with built-in 5-person mutual-support group formation), the Dormant Deposit Utilization Project (a government-funded initiative under which Grameen Nippon operates as a designated funding distribution organization, with grants received in FY2022 and FY2024), the Digital Girl Project (digital skills training co-delivered with MAIA and the Japan Single Mother Support Association), and BPO services that route outsourced work from corporate clients to program participants as practical work experience. Fundraising is diversified across individual donations and memberships, a 3% take-rate from a nationwide network of 29 cafés running the Koi Hi charity coffee campaign, crowdfunding, and corporate partnerships spanning energy, IT, and HR sectors. Operational footprint covers the Kanto (Tokyo headquarters), Tohoku (Sendai branch established 2022), Chubu/Nagoya (2026 expansion), and Kyushu regions, with event co-hosting extending further into Hokkaido, Kansai, Chugoku, Hokuriku, and Okinawa. Governance sits with Representative Director Hyono Koyasu, Director/COO Nakagawa Rie, and founder Professor Suganuma Masahiro (Meiji Gakuin University), supported by 51-100 staff and more than 100 pro-bono contributors.

Name

Grameen Nippon

Legal name

、一般股法人グラミン日本

Website

https://grameen.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

1983

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Grameen Nippon is a Tokyo-based non-profit that provides microfinance loans, employment support, and entrepreneurship workshops to single mothers and women in financial hardship across Japan, operating as the Japanese chapter of Grameen Bank.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Microfinance and Community Development Finance

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (624310), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Personal Credit Institutions (6141), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)

akta.pro primary industry

Microfinance, Financial Inclusion & Inclusive Markets (BPAGABAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Microloans & Working Capital Loans (FSAKAGAA), Microenterprise Group Lending (Joint Liability) (FSAKAGAH), SBA/Government-Backed & Development Finance Loans (FSAKAGAI)

Keywords

• Microfinance services
• Employment support programs
• Small business lending
• Women's economic empowerment
• Social entrepreneurship training

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. マイクロファイナンス（小口融資）: 困窮するシングルマザーや女性に対して低利・無担保で少額の融資を行い、返済を通じて信用を构建。融资上限は1人あたり50万円。返済状況に応じて借りられる額が变动する。
2. 寄付・賛助会員: 個人・法人からの寄付および賛助会員制度による财政收入。グラミン日本の活動は多くの人々からのご寄付により支えられている。
3. 休眠預金等活用事業: 国の休眠預金等活用制度に基づく資金分配団体事業。2022年2月に資金分配団体として初めて採択され、実行団体への資金分配と伴走支援を実施。
4. 濃ぃヒーコーヒー販売寄付: 参加カフェでのコーヒーを通じて売上金の3%がグラミン日本への寄付となる。2025年度 全国29店舗・2,478杯 판매で多くの支援を呼び込んでいる。

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Grameen Nippon is a Japanese non-profit organization that provides microfinance small loans (up to 500,000 yen per person, unsecured, low-interest) and accompanying employment support programs for single mothers and women in financial hardship. Drawing on Grameen Bank's methodology, it combines 5-person mutual aid peer groups, entrepreneurship training via the Mirai Workshop, BPO work-experience placement, and digital skills training to help borrowers establish self-sufficiency.

Product overview

Grameen Nippon offers a portfolio of social support services centered on microfinance and employment assistance for single mothers and women in financial distress. The core offering consists of microfinance/small loans, the Mirai Workshop entrepreneurship training program, BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) services providing practical work experience, and the 'Digital Girl Project' for IT skills development. These services are interconnected: workshops prepare participants for entrepreneurship and employment, microfinance provides capital for business launch, and BPO/digital training programs offer practical work experience and job placement support. The organization also runs the '濃ぃヒー (Koi Hi)' coffee donation initiative as a fundraising mechanism for its programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ミライWorkShop (Mirai Workshop): Free online entrepreneurship workshop program for single mothers and women, consisting of Workshop 0, 1, and 2, focused on self-reflection, business idea development, and business planning.
• 濃ぃヒー (Koi Hi)

Products and services

• Microfinance (Small Loans) Low-interest, unsecured small loans of up to 500,000 yen per person extended to single mothers and women in financial hardship to support business start-up and employment preparation. Repayment amounts vary based on repayment history.
• Mirai Workshop (ミライWorkshop) Free online entrepreneurship workshop program consisting of three stages (Step 0, Step 1, Step 2) that helps single mothers identify strengths, develop business ideas, and create launch plans. Includes formation of 5-person mutual aid peer groups for ongoing support.
• Employment Support Program (就労支援事業) Employment support services including job placement assistance, practical work experience opportunities, and partnerships with companies to create job opportunities for single mothers.
• Digital Girl Project (デジタる女子プロジェクト) Digital skills training program for single mothers combining IT skill development (web design, digital marketing, SAP testing) with career support and employment placement, delivered in partnership with MAIA and Japan Single Mother Support Association.
• BPO Services (BPO事業) Business Process Outsourcing services that provide practical work experience opportunities for single mothers who have completed digital skills training programs, allowing them to gain real-world work experience before formal employment.
• Dormant Deposit Utilization Project (休眠預金等活用事業) Social support program utilizing dormant deposits from financial institutions to fund digital employment training and support for single mothers; Grameen Nippon serves as a designated fund distribution organization, first selected in February 2022 and again in 2024.
• Koi Hi (濃ぃヒー) Coffee Donation Project Charity coffee campaign where participating cafes nationwide create and sell specially crafted 'thick coffee' menu items, with 3% of sales donated to Grameen Nippon to support its single-mother programs; combines fundraising with single-mother storytelling events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 延べ1,200名以上のシングルマザーや女性がミライWorkShopに参加
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• 日本シングルマザー支援協会coreStrategic or Co-development Partnerグラミン日本の設立時より連携。ミライWorkShop参加者の绍介やプレグラミンイベントの共催など、日本のシングルマザー支援の文脉で蜜月に連携している。グラミン日本の融资先の绍介や、政策提言でも協力関係にある。
• 株式会社MAIAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner「でじたる女子プロジェクト」（デジタル人材育成・就活支援）の共同実施パートナー。グラミン日本とMAIA、日本シングルマザー支援協会の3社で、提供価値を持った組織として連携。グラミン日本からMAIAへの人材供給と就労支援のサイクルを構築。
• 株式会社SAMURAIcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner「副業デビュープロジェクト」の共同企画パートナーとしてデジタルスキ儿獲得プログラムを実施。グラミン日本が複業者人材育成の設計・伴走支援を行い、SAMURAIがプログラム提供の一部を担当。
• みんな電力（株式会社UPDATER）coreGTM or Marketing Partnerみんな電力の利用者が、西岡秀三発電所の太陽光パネルの発電を通じて每月100円をグラミン日本に donate。日常の电力選択が贫困支援に接続する循環モデル「再エネ×マイクロファイナンス」を実装。追加费用負担なしで、利用者1契约每月100円がシングルマザー支援に充当される。
• 西岡秀三（環境学者）coreGTM or Marketing Partner気候変動対策の研究者である西岡秀三氏自らが屋顶に太陽光発電所を設置し、発電による応援金をグラミン日本へ全额 donate。「贫困ゼロ・失業ゼロ・CO₂排出ゼロ」のユヌス博士の理念を日常で実装する取り組み。
• エール株式会社minorStrategic or Co-development Partner2026年6月18日にシングルマザー向けパラレルキャリアイベントを共催。ソーシャルコミュニティ「パラレルキャリア推進委員会®」との共創により、就活後のキャリア形成支援を実施。
• 株式会社きらり.コーポレーションcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDormant deposit money活用事業の資金分配团体として2024年度事業に採択された実行团体。ingleマザーへのデジタルスキ儿研修〜就活支援까지包括的な伴走型サポートを実施。
• ハートフルファミリー（単特定非金融法人mia forza）coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributorシングルマザー支援团体として、融资プログラム资金分配团体的役割とグラミン日本のマイクロファイナンス受益者への桥渡し的役割の両方を果たす。グラミン日本の活动や浓稀咖啡浓咖啡プロジェクトの活动中にも频繁に連携。
• 特定非金融法人mia forza（仙台）minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor东北地区におけるシングルマザー交流イベントの共催パートナー。浓稀咖啡浓咖啡プロジェクトの全国イベント网张の中で、仙台エリア，承担。
• 德岛县立美美LAB（特定非金融法人ALIVE LAB）minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor德岛县での浓稀咖啡浓咖啡プロジェクト共催パートナー。2025年4月に德岛县てシングルマザー交流イベントを実施し、クラフトビールを使った donation企画も同時開催した。
• アクセンチュア株式会社minorStrategic or Co-development Partner浓稀咖啡浓咖啡プロジェクト2026全国イベント网张の协催企业として协业。东京てシングルマザー・リアル交流会を実施。
• アクセンチュア株式会社minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBiz/Zineを通じたグラミン日本の活动绍介や、事业开始後継続した支援を表明。グラミン日本のSDGsz CONSORTIUM構成企业の一つ。
• 有限責任 あずさ監査法人minorOthersYamazaki監査法人時代に名称变更。现在はKPMG Japan集团的構成事务所としてグラミン日本の監査业务を担当。
• 牛奶石碱共进出口社株式会社minorGTM or Marketing Partner浓稀咖啡浓咖啡プロジェクト2026交流イベントの特别协赞。-singleマザー活动への社会貢献CSR活动として协赞。
• 德岛县母子寡妇福祉联合会minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor德岛县における母子家庭的联结促进组织。浓稀咖啡浓咖啡プロジェクトの德岛イベントに共催参加した。
• NP法人权的place（山梨县）minorStrategic or Co-development Partner生活困窮の子どもたちの学習支援や居場所づくりを行うNP法人。グラミン日本の活动に参加するシングルマザー（加藤香さん）が理事として関与。
• 德岛县美浓美LAB（特定非金融法人ALIVE LAB）minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor德岛县での浓稀咖啡浓咖啡プロジェクトの协催パートナー。2025年4月に德岛县てシングルマザー交流イベントを実施し、クラフトビール捐赠企画も同时実施。
• 德岛县母子寡妇福祉联合会minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor德岛县における母子家庭的联结促进组织。浓稀咖啡浓咖啡プロジェクトの德岛イベントに共催参加した。

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Grameen Bank: The Bangladesh-founded original microfinance institution created by Muhammad Yunus in 1983, using the 5-person group lending model and women-focused borrower base that Grameen Nippon directly replicates in Japan.
• Grameen America: U.S. affiliate of Grameen Bank providing microloans to women entrepreneurs in low-income communities using the same group-lending methodology; the closest geographic and product analogue outside Bangladesh.
• Kiva: Non-profit crowdfunding platform that channels crowdfunded capital to microfinance institutions and individual borrowers worldwide; comparable mission of financial inclusion and small-dollar lending, though delivered via a marketplace model.

Broad incumbents

• BRAC: Large international development organization combining microfinance with poverty-alleviation programs (education, health) for women and the poor; broadly comparable multi-program social-enterprise model.
• Opportunity International: Global microfinance network providing small-dollar loans, savings, and insurance to people in developing countries; comparable mission and target segment with broader geographic scale.
• Accion: Global nonprofit committed to financial inclusion through responsible lending to underserved small-business owners; similar mission, advisory-driven model with broader geographic footprint.
• Women's World Banking: Nonprofit focused on financial inclusion for low-income women globally; directly comparable in targeting women borrowers, with broader advisory and capacity-building scope.
• Goodwell Investments: Impact-investment firm funding inclusive fintech and microfinance across Africa and Asia; comparable in financial-inclusion theme with venture-style funding that contrasts Grameen Nippon's nonprofit structure.

Emerging players

• LenddoEFL: Emerging-market fintech using alternative credit scoring for unbanked borrowers; adjacent technology-enabled approach to serving thin-file, low-income populations with limited credit history.

Regional players

• SBI Holdings (SBI Microfinance): Japanese financial conglomerate with microfinance exposure in Asia; a domestic incumbent with capital and regulatory sophistication that Grameen Nippon would compete against if scaling in Japan.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/grameennippon
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCZzjZjvyAd8EUHlJ0ZBPgfg/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/GrameenNippon
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grameen-nippon
• Instagraminstagram.com/grameennippon/?hl=ja

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grameen Nippon