3keys

What 3keys does

3keys (認定特定非営利活動法人3keys / Three Keys) is a Tokyo-based certified nonprofit organization founded in 2009 as a Keio University student volunteer group and incorporated as an NPO in May 2011, obtaining Certified NPO status from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 2017. The organization supports Japanese children and adolescents aged 10–19 whose rights are not protected due to circumstances of birth — including victims of abuse, bullying, poverty, truancy, sexual violence, and social isolation — through a portfolio of digital platforms, physical service programs, and awareness content. Its core offerings are the Mex (me-x.jp) nationwide portal connecting teens to support organizations (1.7 million annual users by 2024), the recently closed Youth Center 'Three' quasi-shelter non-interactive safe space in Shinjuku (operated March 2020–March 2026), the COSTA learning-support space, the 'Mee no Nayami' awareness animation video series (350,000+ YouTube views), the recurring Child Issue Seminar series, and the data-driven 'White Paper on Today's Japanese Children' content site.

Underlying technology is light: digital content platforms and websites, a YouTube distribution channel, and a third-party e-learning system (Folss by E-Learning Laboratories) deployed with donated tablets for COSTA — there is no proprietary AI/ML or software product. There is no headcount figure disclosed; the organization states it operates with a small full-time staff and primarily digital/email contact. Geographic scope is single-country domestic (Japan), with the Mex portal providing nationwide reach and all physical operations centered in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

The business model is entirely donation-monetized with no fees charged to beneficiaries. Revenue streams include individual monthly supporter subscriptions (qualifying for Japan's designated charitable-contribution tax deduction), corporate CSR donations and matching programs (Rohto, JACCS point donations, EneLab energy funding), grants and subsidized projects from foundations (JKA, Marubeni, Panasonic NPO/NGO Support Fund, Daiwa Securities Future Inspiration Bond, Yahoo! Japan Fund, Coop Mirai × Central Community Chest, SVP Tokyo), crowdfunding on READYFOR (multiple campaigns targeting the Youth Center, Mex expansion, and learning support), and in-kind donations (Book Off's BOOK FOR KIDS, People Port electronics buyback, real estate). GTM is community-led rather than commercial: awareness campaigns, social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, LINE, note), earned media coverage (Forbes JAPAN, Mainichi Shimbun, PR Times), events (Child Issue Seminars), and partnerships with NGOs and educational institutions drive reach to both beneficiaries and supporters.

Name

3keys

Legal name

認定特定非営利活動法人3keys

Website

https://3keys.jp

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Certified Japanese NPO (founded 2009, Tokyo) supporting at-risk children and adolescents aged 10–19 through the nationwide Mex digital portal, learning support, awareness content, and advocacy; serves youth facing abuse, bullying, poverty, and isolation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Child Welfare Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Special Education (SPED), IEP & Accessibility/Assistive Technology (EDAJAMAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special Needs After-School Care & Homework Support (HSAAAHAI), Content Moderation, Safe Messaging & Classroom Communication Safety (EDAFALAE)

Keywords

• Child welfare services
• Youth support programs
• Nonprofit social services
• Awareness content creation
• Learning support services

Headquarters

HQ city

Tokyo

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. 個人寄付（月額・マンスリーサポータープラン）: Recurring monthly donations from individual supporters. The organization actively promotes a monthly supporter plan (マンスリーサプライパー) as a stable funding source. Donations from individuals qualify for Japan's designated charitable contribution tax deduction (up to 50% of donation amount is deductible).
2. 法人・企業寄付・CSRパートナーシップ: Corporate donations and CSR partnerships including matching donations (e.g., Rohto Pharmaceutical matching campaign), point donation programs (JACCS), energy donation programs (EneLab), and in-kind donations (real estate, electronics, books). Companies partner through dedicated campaigns, disaster relief giving programs, and ongoing CSR activities.
3. 助成金・補助事業（公益法人・財団・政府系）: Grants and subsidized projects from public interest foundations and government-affiliated organizations. Funders include: Public Foundation JKA (公益財団法人JKA), Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation charity concerts, Daiwa Securities Group Future Inspiration Bond, Panasonic NPO/NGO Support Fund for SDGs, Marubeni Fund, Yahoo! Japan Fund (COVID-19 program), Kyoritsu Maintenance Blue Moon捐款, Co-op Mirai × Central Community Chest, Invest Securities, and others.
4. クラウドファンディング: One-time project-based fundraising through platforms such as READYFOR. Notable campaigns include: crowdfunding for the Youth Center facility, crowdfunding for Mex platform expansion (targeting 4 million yen, with Rohto Pharmaceutical matching), and crowdfunding for learning support programs. Multiple campaigns have been conducted over the years.
5. 物品寄付（古本・電子機器・不動産等）: In-kind donations through third-party mechanisms: Book Off's 'BOOK FOR KIDS' program for books/CDs/DVDs, People Port's electronic device buyback program (10–20% donation to 3keys), and property donations (real estate in Tokyo's 23 wards for use as youth spaces). These create additional donation revenue without direct cost to the organization.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

3keys is a Certified NPO that operates direct service and awareness programs for children and adolescents in Japan whose rights are not protected due to their circumstances of birth. Its offerings include the Mex (ミークス) nationwide portal site for teens to find counseling and support services, the Youth Center「３」non-interactive safe space for adolescents aged 10–19 in Shinjuku, the COSTA learning support space for disadvantaged students, the 「ミーのなやみ」awareness animation video series, the Child Issue Seminar lecture series, and the 「白書 – 日本の子どもたちの今」data-driven content platform. All direct services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries.

Product overview

3keys operates a portfolio of direct-support programs for children and adolescents in Japan who lack stable family or institutional support, combining digital platforms with physical service centers. The core offerings include Mex (ミークス), a nationwide counseling search portal that helps isolated teens find and connect with appropriate support organizations; the Youth Center 'San', a quasi-shelter non-interactive safe space for adolescents aged 10–19 in Shinjuku; COSTA, a learning support center for teens unable to afford tutoring; 'Mee's Troubles', an animated awareness video series covering abuse, DV, and bullying; Child Issue Seminar, a recurring expert lecture series; and '白書', a data platform documenting the state of children in Japan. These services address the full spectrum of adolescent needs—from crisis intervention and safe spaces to long-term education and public awareness—organized around three pillars: informing/changing societal awareness, creating a safety net, and producing educational content.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mex（ミークス）: A nationwide support service search and consultation portal site for teenagers aged 10-19, helping young people find appropriate support services for issues including abuse, bullying, poverty, sexual assault, and suicidal thoughts
• ユースセンター「３」（さん）
• COSTA（コスタ）
• ミーのなやみ
• Child Issue Seminar
• 白書 - 日本の子どもたちの今

Products and services

• Mex (ミークス) nationwide teen support portal site A free nationwide web portal that aggregates and categorizes Japanese child welfare support organizations, enabling teens aged 10–19 to search by concern (abuse, bullying, truancy, sexual violence, poverty, mental health) and contact method (email, phone, LINE, in-person), with 1.7 million annual users by 2024.
• Youth Center「３」(さん) quasi-shelter non-interactive safe space program A free physical safe space in Shinjuku, Tokyo for adolescents aged 10–19 who lack stable homes or support networks, providing meals, showers, laundry, and monitoring until 9:30 PM nightly without requiring participation in programs or social interaction. Operated from 2020 to March 2026 with grant support from JKA.
• COSTA (コスタ) learning support space

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.7 million annual users reached through the Mex platform (2024)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• READYFOR株式会社coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 February 20203keys has conducted multiple crowdfunding campaigns on READYFOR's platform for projects including the Youth Center opening, Mex platform expansion, and learning support programs. The partnership has included matching donation programs where corporate sponsors match funds raised (e.g., Rohto Pharmaceutical matching up to 4 million yen). READYFOR has also hosted 3keys'+meeting activity briefings.
• ピープルポート株式会社minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 November 2019People Port operates the 'Children's Support Project' (、こども支援プロジェクト), through which companies and individuals donate used electronics (computers, phones, etc.) and People Port donates 10–20% of the assessed value to 3keys. The partnership provides a frictionless donation mechanism for corporate office relocations and electronics disposal.
• ブックオフグループ (Book Off)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBook Off's 'BOOK FOR KIDS' and 'キモチと。' programs allow donors to ship used books, CDs, DVDs, and games to Book Off, with a portion of the assessed value donated to 3keys. Regular campaigns run with donation percentage increases (10–15% uplift) during designated periods.
• Eneラボ株式会社 (EneLab)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEneLab operates 'Energy Funding', a program that converts a portion of participants' monthly electricity bills into donations to selected social organizations. 3keys participates as a designated recipient, receiving ongoing donations from EneLab users who choose 3keys as their beneficiary.
• 株式会社ジャックス (JACCS)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerJACCS card users voted to select 3keys as a donation recipient through JACCS' point donation program. JACCS and its employees co-contributed, with employee votes selecting 3keys as the designated charity for 2019.
• 株式会社イー・ラーニング研究所minorGTM or Marketing PartnerE-Learning Laboratories donated its Folss e-learning system access accounts and original tablet devices to 3keys' COSTA learning support program. The gamified educational content helps children from disadvantaged backgrounds build academic skills at their own pace.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Learning for All: Japan-based NPO delivering after-school learning support and emotional care to children from low-income and unstable household backgrounds. Closely comparable to 3keys' COSTA learning support space, with similar target population and methodology.
• 認定NPO法人カタリバ (Katriba): Japanese NPO providing learning and emotional support for children in poverty and at-risk youth, including after-school spaces. Comparable to 3keys on combining learning support (COSTA-like) with youth advocacy and digital content.
• キッズドア (KidsDoor): Japanese NPO tackling child poverty through free after-school learning programs and food support. Direct overlap with 3keys' COSTA learning support for children who cannot afford cram school due to economic circumstances.
• 認定NPO法人BONDプロジェクト (BOND Project): Japanese NPO providing household and learning support specifically to children living in child welfare facilities (児童養護施設). Comparable to 3keys' COSTA learning support and partnerships with mother-child facilities, sharing the same beneficiary profile.

Broad incumbents

• World Vision Japan: Japan branch of an international child welfare NGO focused on poverty, abuse, and advocacy. Comparable on mission and donor-base, but with much broader global scope than 3keys' Japan-centric adolescent focus.
• Save the Children Japan: Japan arm of a global child welfare organization running programs for abused, neglected, and impoverished children. Comparable on mission and direct-service delivery for at-risk children, but vastly larger scale and broader geographic remit than 3keys.

Others

• 認定NPO法人児童虐待防止全国ネットワーク: Japan's national child-abuse-prevention network running the nationwide 'Child Abuse Prevention 189 Hotline' and public awareness campaigns. Adjacent to 3keys' Mex portal as a referral destination for at-risk teens seeking abuse support.

Emerging players

• フローレンス (Florence): Japanese social venture operating childcare, sick-child care, and family support services with a tech-enabled model. Partial overlap with 3keys on addressing gaps in Japan's child welfare system, though with a different service mix (residential childcare vs. teen outreach).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2F3keys.jp%2F
• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PL5hgmG6V3uZ8IBReOFzRa1dojdYD7aajS
• Facebookfacebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2F3keys.jp%2F

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 3keys