Welcome to Musubime

musubime「人と人を結ぶ」という想いを込めて

Musubime Helping Hands is a new support service based in Osaka for people starting a new life in Japan.

Starting a new life in Japan can be exciting.It can also be confusing, challenging, and sometimes lonely.

There is a new language to learn, different customs to understand, and everyday situations that may feel unfamiliar.

As you try your best to adapt, you may find yourself thinking,

"Perhaps this is just the way things are in Japan."

Without realising it, you may slowly begin to put your own thoughts and feelings aside.

I understand that feeling.

Having lived overseas myself, and through many years of supporting international students and people from different countries living in Japan, I have had the privilege of meeting many wonderful people.

One thing these experiences have taught me is that respecting Japanese culture and respecting yourself do not have to be opposite choices.

Both matter.

I have also met many people whose knowledge, skills, and professional experience from their home countries have not been fully recognised or valued after moving to Japan.

At the same time, I have seen something very encouraging.

When people find someone they can trust, someone they can talk to, and a place where they truly feel they belong, something begins to change.

Their confidence grows.

They begin to smile again.

They take the next step.

Those moments inspired me to create Musubime.

At Musubime, we hope to support people not only with everyday life in Japan, but also in finding a way to live here without losing who they are.

We hope that people are seen not simply as temporary visitors, but as future members of the community who can build a meaningful and fulfilling life in Japan.

There is not always one right answer.

Sometimes the best place is somewhere in the middle.

We hope to help people find that balance—between cultures, between values, and between adapting to a new country while staying true to themselves.

This year marks ten years since I first began using the name Musubime.

The logo I created ten years ago represents one simple idea:bringing people together.

Although the activities have changed over the years, the heart behind Musubime has remained the same.

As Musubime begins this new chapter, I hope to continue creating opportunities for people to connect, feel understood, and build a life where they can truly feel at home.

Thank you for taking the time to visit Musubime.

I hope our paths will cross one day.

August 2026

Noriko Murakami