Our Mission Statement

We are working to create a society in which all girls have clothing, food, shelter, and people they can rely on.
A society in which girls in trouble do not find themselves being exploited or exposed to violence.

Reaching Out to Girls in Distress

Night patrols

We patrol urban areas at night and reach out to girls who are unwilling or unable to go home.

Night Cafe《Tsubomi Cafe》

Tsubomi Cafe is a bus that has been renovated into a free cafe and resource center for teenage girls. Tsubomi Cafe is open on alternate weeks in Shibuya and Shinjuku.
→Learn more about Tsubomi Cafe (Japanese only)

Consultations

We provide consultation services for girls we meet on the street or who reach out to us via phone or email.

Provide Basic Necessities (Support, Food, Showers, Clothing, etc.)

Meals

Many of these girls do not have consistent access to food, and/or always eat alone.We believe that more than just food, having company and someone to talk to at meals is central to helping girls build confidence, trust others, and start rebuilding their lives. For this reason, we spend time with girls around meals, cooking and chatting, and thereby helping restore normalcy to their lives.

Provide Basic Necessities

We distribute donated packaged food, clothes, school supplies, menstrual products, etc. to girls in need.

Consultations and Support

When appropriate we refer girls to outside resources, accompanying them whenever possible.These outside resources include lawyers, child support services, medical services, government offices, law enforcement agencies, schools, etc.

Shelter

Temporary Shelter

We provide temporary shelter for girls who are unwilling or unable to go home, especially victims of physical and sexual violence. Shelter services include providing a place to sleep at night, but the space is also available for girls to shower, do laundry, cook, study, etc.
→ Click here to support our shelters!

Mid- to Long-term Shelter

With the goal of helping girls become independent and self-sufficient we provide mid- to long-term shelters. While living in these shelters girls may attend school, build job skills, or look for work. Girls have their own room with a lock, and shared access to a kitchen, living room, shower, etc. Residents are provided with food, and all rooms are furnished. Rent is free for the first three months, and 30,000 yen per month thereafter (approximately USD 270), with the goal of helping girls reestablish their lives and become financially independent in the long term. (When necessary, rent may be waived even after the first three months.)

Tsubomi: A Support Group for Middle and High School Girls

A support for girls from age ten through their teens, Tsubomi provides a space for girls to meet others who have gone through the same trauma, and to build support networks with one another through shared activities.
→Learn more about Tsubomi (Japanese only)

Public Awareness Efforts

Talk Events

We consult with schools and give public talks to raise awareness about the challenges facing middle and high school girls in Japan today.
→Learn more about our lecture series (Japanese only)

Educational Tours of Tokyo’s Nightlife Underworld

We give educational tours of the underworld of Tokyo’s nightlife, highlighting how middle and high school girls are living on the streets, and the dangers present to them. Attendees include educators, social welfare officials, law enforcement officials, etc.
→Learn more about our educational tours of Tokyo’s nightlife (Japanese only)

List of publications

2023.09.18　 website『KYEOL』 : Colabo’s Fights against Sexual Exploitation and Misogyny in Japan Today

2020.12.18　The Asahi Shimbun : Young woman tries to cope after life of sexual exploitation

2020.04.28　The Asahi Shimbun : LDP lawmakers accused of harassing abused teenage girls

2020.04.06　THE JAPAN TIMES : Curbs to stem COVID-19 in Japan may fuel domestic violence and abuse

2018.12.30　THE JAPAN TIMES : Tokyo ‘bus cafe,’ a safe haven from sexual exploitation for troubled young girls

2018.10.27　KYODO NEWS : Pink bus offers shelter to vulnerable girls in Tokyo nightspots

2018.10.7  　The Asahi Shimbun : Pink bus to help schoolgirls from falling victim to sex industry

2016.8.17  　THE JAPAN TIMES : Tokyo exhibition focuses on plight of sexually exploited girls

2015.7.30  　VICE NEWS : Inside a Tokyo JK Cafe (Excerpt from ‘Schoolgirls for Sale’)

2015.05.22　THE JAPAN TIMES :Activist slams indifference to sexual exploitation of girls in ‘JK’ industry

2014.12.22　The Asahi Shimbun : INTERVIEW/ Yumeno Nito: Havens needed for schoolgirls in sleazy ‘JK’ business

2014.11.4  　THE JAPAN TIMES : Notorious ‘JK’ business exploits troubled high school girls for sex

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EN ESPAÑOL : La trata de menores en Japón

Please Support Us

The work we do at Colabo is only possible through your generous support.
From members and shelter sponsors, to small one-time donations of money and goods, it is your generosity that keeps us open for these girls.
Please join us in showing these girls we care, and that we believe in their potential.
→Click here to donate!

Contact Us