After graduating from university, I worked as a civil servant and later as an activist investor, focusing on the issue of internal reserves held by Japanese public companies. However, I soon realized that addressing corporate cash flow alone would not lead to sustainable economic growth in Japan. Through extensive discussions with NPO founders and workers about the state of nonprofit activities in Japan—where critical funding often fails to reach those in need—I established NPO Charity Platform in 2007. This organization embodied my long-held vision of creating opportunities and mechanisms for charitable giving.

Through Charity Platform, we awarded approximately 500 million yen in grants, supported the launch of JustGiving (now LIFULL Social Funding) in Japan, established CivicForce for emergency disaster relief, and organized corporate charity campaigns, all aimed at nurturing a culture of giving. In recent years, as interest in philanthropy has grown in Japan, our family felt inspired to make a more direct contribution to solving social issues, leading to the establishment of the Murakami Foundation. We believe that revitalizing Japan's economy requires not only corporate engagement but also robust support for nonprofit organizations, creating a society with universal safety nets where everyone can access necessary assistance and live with peace of mind.

Growing up abroad in my early years and experiencing different approaches to social contribution during high school overseas, along with watching my father discuss the role of nonprofit organizations in Japan, I always wanted to make my own contribution. After working in the corporate world and becoming a mother, my support priorities became clear: enhancing the work-life environment for working women and supporting children who will shape Japan's future. We aim to help working women thrive, ensure that pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare are not insurmountable barriers, and enable children to grow freely with comprehensive support. Through the Murakami Foundation, we strive to create a more livable Japan filled with smiles.

Through my involvement with nonprofit organizations since my student days, I've realized that corporate and government safety nets are incomplete, leaving many without necessary support. I've always wanted to help make the efforts of nonprofits addressing these social issues sustainable. While studying business in Europe, I became particularly concerned about Japan's gender gap. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), Japan ranks 120th out of 156 countries in the Gender Gap Index—the lowest among developed nations. Japan's low ranking is largely due to gaps in economic and political participation, with political representation especially low at 147th place. This comparison with Europe has strengthened my resolve to help change Japan's situation. The gender gap is not only a women’s rights issue but is also crucial for addressing various social challenges and achieving economic development. We aim to create a society where women can succeed in any field without having to forgo their goals due to gender-specific barriers.