“I’m interested in starting a business or doing side work, but I don’t know who to ask for advice.”
“I want to take the first step, but I’m feeling a little anxious.”
The “FLCB Joshikai,” held at “FLCB,” a community space in Soja City, began as a place where women with these kinds of concerns could share their worries.
At this gathering, women of different ages and in a variety of industries connect in a relaxed way and talk about their dreams and concerns over a delicious lunch. It was not just a “chat session,” but also a practical place for exchange that can lead to work.
I attended an FLCB Joshikai event, and will share the atmosphere there and the organizers’ thoughts.
The information provided is as of the article’s publication in June 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is FLCB Joshikai?
“FLCB,” located right in front of Soja City Hall, is a community space that anyone can use freely. FLCB Joshikai is held here once a month.
It is an event where women who have started businesses and those thinking about starting something can connect over lunch. Apparently, it sometimes fills up soon after registration opens.
The FLCB Joshikai event on this day followed this schedule.
- Introductions
- Exchange of ideas on a set theme
- Lunch
- Free time (informal exchange)
- Group photo
- Free departure
I’ve attended several times, and my first impression was simply that it was “comfortable.”
Even people meeting for the first time felt at ease talking to one another, and we quickly warmed up to each other.
- Date and time: Second Wednesday of every month, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
*Check the official Instagram for details - Participation fee: ¥1,500
- Location: FLCB
The background and purpose behind FLCB Joshikai
FLCB Joshikai is planned and run by Sakura and Ayumi, two women active in Soja City. The idea apparently came from a conversation in which they said, “There are so many wonderful women in Soja!”
“Many women are working hard on their own. But things would be even more interesting if each of them could make greater use of what they love and what they’re good at.”
With this in mind, they set out to create a place where women involved in starting businesses or doing side work could connect with others in a welcoming environment. In the future, they hope FLCB Joshikai will be more than just a place for exchange, and will help develop local women’s talent and revitalize the local economy.
Why a lunch gathering?
One of the biggest attractions of FLCB Joshikai is the lunch.
Each time, boxed lunches are provided by restaurants in Soja City, and they have become one of the highlights for participants.
Based on the idea that “women love delicious food and chatting,” they also want to support local restaurants, so they deliberately choose only restaurants in Soja City.
Lunch that day was a pork ginger stir-fry set meal from Coffee House Moka.
The delicious lunch sparks natural conversation, such as “Which restaurant was this from?” and “That’s a big serving of rice,” and soon puts even first-time attendees at ease.
One of the unique charms of this gathering is how sharing a meal brings people closer.
What I experienced by attending
There were 10 attendees, including the organizers, on this day (May 16, 2025).
Special guests included two staff members from S-STA, the Soja Relocation and Business Startup Support Center, which supports business startups in Soja City, as well as Adachi Katsutoshi, host of the radio program “Soja no Oyaji to ROOKIES.”
S-STA is a support organization that provides advice on business planning, financing, and other matters when newcomers or local residents start a new business. They apparently decided to attend because they wanted to visit a place where women and mothers could take their first steps and see if they could help.
Adachi said that he had increasingly been asked for advice by women thinking about starting something. He attended because he wanted to share his knowledge about the “spaces” needed to get a business started, such as making use of vacant houses and setting up a shop.
During the networking time, participants split into groups of three or four to talk.
Most were in their 30s, and their industries and career stages varied: English teachers, nail technicians, web designers, therapists, and people preparing to start bread-making classes. The group size was just right, allowing me to talk with each person at length.
Topics ranged from work to future dreams, but one thing was common to every conversation: everyone was full of energy. The more we talked, the more I felt a desire to “start something” or “give it a try”—there was a wonderful atmosphere.
Meeting people at FLCB Joshikai can lead to having lunch together later, receiving work-related inquiries, and building friendships or finding new work.
A way to connect that goes beyond chatting
One feature of FLCB Joshikai is that it doesn’t end as just a “chat session.”
Each time, a broad theme is set, and in addition to introductions, time is set aside for participants to share their concerns and challenges and exchange ideas.
For example, when someone says, “I’m not sure how to post on social media…,” others may offer specific advice on the spot, such as “I found this app easy to use” or “Why not ask [name]?” It’s inspiring to see concerns gradually turn into positive action.
In the past, participants have even held a market together, creating projects that take shape in the real world. The gathering is attracting attention as a place for practical action, not just networking.
The organizer talks about what made her happy, changes, and future plans
When I asked Sakura what had made an impression on her as she continued to run the gathering, she said, “It makes me so happy when people tell me they feel energized just by coming, and that they want to come again.”
There are many repeat attendees, and apparently many have said, “I came to this gathering and was able to make what I wanted to do a reality” and “A connection I made led to my next job.”
They also plan to hold in-person events such as workshops and markets in the future.
They plan to expand their activities further as a “women’s gathering that contributes to community revitalization,” while working with local organizations and businesses.
A message for women who want to put their interests and strengths to use
Finally, Sakura, one of the organizers, shared a message for readers.
Sakura
FLCB Joshikai is a big team that brings everyone’s “interests” and “strengths” together to turn what they “want to do” into reality. We also want it to be an open place where newcomers can feel free to join, rather than a group with fixed members.
If you are a woman, including a homemaker or mother, who wants to enjoy taking on challenges, please send us a message through our official Instagram account.
We look forward to seeing you at our networking events and other activities.
Upcoming events are as follows.
- Lunch gathering for women Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
- Family-friendly flea market at FLCB Saturday, September 6, 2025, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (tentative)
- Lunch gathering for women Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
From the Writer
A small women’s gathering that began in Soja has been filled with great potential to shape the future of the community.
When women with similar concerns and dreams connect in a welcoming environment and encourage one another, new challenges emerge, bringing energy to both the community and themselves. I felt that FLCB Joshikai is a wonderful place to spark new opportunities.
If you’d like to take on a new challenge or make a living by doing what you love, why not join?
FLCB Joshikai details
| Name | FLCB Joshikai |
|---|---|
| Date | Second Wednesday of every month, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. *See the official Instagram for details |
| Location | 2-2-8 Chuo, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Soja FLCB Joshikai |
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