I help clients move beyond cultural or social expectations to discover solutions that truly fit their lives. Whether you're facing emotional exhaustion, struggling with identity, or simply need someone to listen without judgment—I offer a safe, confidential space to explore your story together.
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Career Timeline
1992 – Birth in Japan
Born in Japan, consistently top of class until junior high.
High School Years
Chose psychology after experiencing difficulties in Japan’s rigid education system.
Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology
Graduated with national qualifications: Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified Public Psychologist, Certified Psychologist.
Study Abroad in New Zealand
Learned psychology, education, and welfare; experienced advanced support systems.
Government Clinical Psychologist (Japan)
Worked as school counselor, in juvenile rehabilitation, suicide prevention, child guidance centers, and emergency shelters.
Ministry of Education Dispatch to Germany
Visited and studied youth support systems in Germany.
JICA Acceptance – Kenya
Selected to work at a child victim shelter in Kisumu (canceled due to COVID-19).
Career Development
Founded Youth Support NGO
Created safe spaces for socially isolated youth.
Divorce & Study Abroad in the US
Studied global approaches to addiction, isolation, and trauma.
Global Collaboration
Worked with youth support and psychology organizations in New York, Paris, Geneva, Zurich, Chicago, Portland, Denmark, Nepal, Rwanda, UK, Vietnam, and the Philippines and so on.
2023 – Election Candidate, Kusatsu City Council (Japan)
Ran for city council to reflect mental health needs in policy; lost by only 5 votes.
Current Roles
- Psychologist at UNHCR (supporting refugee-background youth in Japan)
- Psychologist for international mental health platforms (US, NL, SG, UK)
- Completed Portland State University’s Urban Community Development Program
- Committee member for Shiga Prefectural & Kusatsu City councils (welfare, recidivism prevention, civic participation, human rights).
Interview
I realized that the family and economic issues behind the children's difficulties in life are rooted in gender issues and cannot be ignored.
What made you become a feminist?
When I was working as a clinical psychological counseling for middle and high school students, I realized that the family and economic issues behind the difficulties children face in life are fundamentally gender issues and cannot be ignored.
What does feminism mean to you?
No matter what conditions, circumstances, background, gender, category or characteristics,
it means that individuals can actually value and choose their own lives, without being prescribed or pressured from the outside.
When I was working as a clinical psychological counseling for middle and high school students, I realized that the family and economic issues behind the difficulties children face in life are fundamentally gender issues and cannot be ignored.
What does feminism mean to you?
No matter what conditions, circumstances, background, gender, category or characteristics,
it means that individuals can actually value and choose their own lives, without being prescribed or pressured from the outside.
Could you please tell me more specifically what a clinical psychologist does?
It's a job that involves listening to people's psychological concerns and conducting psychological assessments based on specialized knowledge, helping them find their own original answers and path forward.
What concrete actions are you taking to achieve gender equality?
Speak up.
If you think something is wrong, don't keep quiet.
Don't just think that's the way it is. Don't think that there's nothing you can do.
Don't give up easily, be hesitant, and keep speaking out.
Even if something is not currently treated as a violation of individual rights, if you feel uncomfortable about it, don't belittle it, and resist to make sure it not passed on to the next generation and be the last one to happen.
It's a job that involves listening to people's psychological concerns and conducting psychological assessments based on specialized knowledge, helping them find their own original answers and path forward.
What concrete actions are you taking to achieve gender equality?
Speak up.
If you think something is wrong, don't keep quiet.
Don't just think that's the way it is. Don't think that there's nothing you can do.
Don't give up easily, be hesitant, and keep speaking out.
Even if something is not currently treated as a violation of individual rights, if you feel uncomfortable about it, don't belittle it, and resist to make sure it not passed on to the next generation and be the last one to happen.
What social issues have you seen through your work?
"Children's difficulties in life, lack of self-confidence, suicide, self-harm, and poor mental health are all linked to the fact that children's individuality is not valued as it is, and there is inequality and exploitation in society.
A society in which adults can more assertively protect their health and rights and in which these are protected is the very foundation of healthy child development and an improved environment."
"Children's difficulties in life, lack of self-confidence, suicide, self-harm, and poor mental health are all linked to the fact that children's individuality is not valued as it is, and there is inequality and exploitation in society.
A society in which adults can more assertively protect their health and rights and in which these are protected is the very foundation of healthy child development and an improved environment."
You founded and run a children's cafeteria called "Yancha Temple" in your hometown of Shiga Prefecture. What inspired you to start it?
When I was posted to Germany as a psychologist, I found that there were many social resources in Germany where children could be exposed to diverse values and occupations and develop confidence in their own individuality.
I thought that this kind of attitude, understanding, and social resources is what Japan, a country where many people struggle to live and lack self-confidence, needs in the future, so I started Yancha Temple as an action to make Japan a society where people can be exposed to a variety of places, experiences, and values, and can build up a sense of affirmation for their differences and individuality.
When I was posted to Germany as a psychologist, I found that there were many social resources in Germany where children could be exposed to diverse values and occupations and develop confidence in their own individuality.
I thought that this kind of attitude, understanding, and social resources is what Japan, a country where many people struggle to live and lack self-confidence, needs in the future, so I started Yancha Temple as an action to make Japan a society where people can be exposed to a variety of places, experiences, and values, and can build up a sense of affirmation for their differences and individuality.
You also ran as a candidate in the 2023 Kusatsu City Council election. What made you decide to run?
Please tell us about the hurdles you faced when running for office, as well as any memorable experiences or lessons you learned!
In my daily work addressing issues such as difficulty in living, low self-esteem, and mental health issues, I have encountered many situations where people repeatedly bear the same wounds due to problems with the social structure, rather than due to their own personal fault.
I ran for office because I felt that the voices of those on the ground needed to have an actual impact on improving the structure of society.
I lost by five votes. But I learned that 90% of the candidates were elderly men, and that political parties, corporations, and religions were responsible for the votes, and that I was able to become a rare individual character among them, which I believe will have a significant impact on the future.
Please tell us about the hurdles you faced when running for office, as well as any memorable experiences or lessons you learned!
In my daily work addressing issues such as difficulty in living, low self-esteem, and mental health issues, I have encountered many situations where people repeatedly bear the same wounds due to problems with the social structure, rather than due to their own personal fault.
I ran for office because I felt that the voices of those on the ground needed to have an actual impact on improving the structure of society.
I lost by five votes. But I learned that 90% of the candidates were elderly men, and that political parties, corporations, and religions were responsible for the votes, and that I was able to become a rare individual character among them, which I believe will have a significant impact on the future.
As a clinical psychologist, you are always flying around the world for international conferences such as UNHCR.
What are the differences between working abroad and in Japan, and what have you discovered? Also, is there any country that left a particularly strong impression on you?
Last year, I spent more time abroad. To be honest, in Japan, I am looked down upon as a "young" and "female" person, and it is difficult to evaluate my expertise, experience, seriousness, and attitude at work. In that respect, it is very easy to work in an environment where you are evaluated on your abilities without being looked down upon based on category. The feeling of being treated equally, which I experienced in Northern Europe, was particularly refreshing for me, who has lived in Japan.
What are the differences between working abroad and in Japan, and what have you discovered? Also, is there any country that left a particularly strong impression on you?
Last year, I spent more time abroad. To be honest, in Japan, I am looked down upon as a "young" and "female" person, and it is difficult to evaluate my expertise, experience, seriousness, and attitude at work. In that respect, it is very easy to work in an environment where you are evaluated on your abilities without being looked down upon based on category. The feeling of being treated equally, which I experienced in Northern Europe, was particularly refreshing for me, who has lived in Japan.
Japan is ranked 118th in gender gaps (as of 2024). Is there anything you keep in mind or habits you have to survive in this overwhelmingly male-dominated society?
If you only work or live in Japan,
the way you are treated and reactions you receive every day will gradually and surely make you lose confidence and start to think "is there something wrong with me that feels so strange?"
So by taking on a lot of international work overseas,
when I look at Japan from other countries,
I am regularly able to realize how terrible the gender gap situation is,
and that this is not normal.
If you only work or live in Japan,
the way you are treated and reactions you receive every day will gradually and surely make you lose confidence and start to think "is there something wrong with me that feels so strange?"
So by taking on a lot of international work overseas,
when I look at Japan from other countries,
I am regularly able to realize how terrible the gender gap situation is,
and that this is not normal.
Themes I Have Dedicated My Work To
01. Children’s Mental Health
Education should nurture individuality, not force everyone into the same mold.
02. Women’s Self-Realization
Being born female in Japan often comes with economic and social disadvantages.
03. Reducing Suicide in Japan
Reducing suicide alone is not enough; we must also raise overall happiness.
Education should nurture individuality, not force everyone into the same mold.
- Values and relationships presented in schools are often too uniform.
- Paths to success are too limited and rigid.
- Educational environments should allow more freedom for self-actualization.
- Society should provide diverse safe spaces for children and youth.
- Children should have opportunities to see real-life examples of diverse lifestyles.
- Test scores and exam results should not be the only measures of a person’s worth.
02. Women’s Self-Realization
Being born female in Japan often comes with economic and social disadvantages.
- Women’s voices are frequently unheard or unreflected in decisions.
- Education should empower women to know their rights and assert them.
- Developing dialogue and debate skills is essential.
- Society should enable people to speak up against harassment.
- A truly inclusive society embraces people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- Everyone, regardless of age or gender, should be able to pursue self-actualization and feel valued.
- Respecting women as full members of society contributes to an equitable society where gender, age, or stigma does not determine treatment.
03. Reducing Suicide in Japan
Reducing suicide alone is not enough; we must also raise overall happiness.
- Key obstacles to happiness in Japan are human relationships:
- Loneliness
- Low sense of usefulness or contribution to others
- Difficulty feeling “I am allowed to exist as I am”
- Low self-esteem and self-efficacy
- We need environments where people can:
- Learn to appreciate themselves
- Accept both strengths and weaknesses unconditionally
- Explore and express what they want to do
- Share their ideas without fear of rejection and be met with curiosity and support
Speaking Topics & Selected Past Engagements
- The Importance of Community “Children’s Cafés”
- Supporting Children Struggling in Their Local Communities
- Insights from Creating Safe Spaces for Youth with Nowhere to Go
- Self-Acceptance: Building a Society Where People Can Live Happily as Their True Selves
- Youth Support and the Work of “Yancha dera” (Youth Temple)
- Shaping Your Future: Being Your True Self
- What Children and Youth Really Want
- Creating Spaces for Teenagers at Yancha dera
- Supporting Adolescents: Respect, Acceptance, and Sometimes Equal Parent-Child Relationships
- Searching for and Creating “Places” for Youth Who Have No Safe Space
- Overcoming Delinquency and Living Beyond Societal “Life Rails” – Insights with Clinical Psychologist, Former Gal Subculture Member Sumire Sato
- Living with Yourself to Be Happy: Reflections on Human Rights and Personal Well-Being
- Engaging with Youth in the Era of Diversity: Lessons from Community Spaces
- Supporting Children Struggling in the Community
- “I’m Actually Pretty Good” – Stories from Children at Yancha dera
- Building Communities to Support Children
- Insights from the Field of Youth Safe Space Creation
- The Significance and Impact of Providing Teen Spaces in Temples
- Approaching Children: Understanding the Backgrounds Behind Their Challenges
- Supporting Those Facing Loneliness and Isolation
- Learning the Importance of “Place” Through Community Children’s Cafés
- Helping Teens Appreciate the Present: Encouraging Them to Be Themselves
“I believe therapy should lead to lasting emotional freedom, not just temporary relief. I continue to study and evolve as a therapist to offer the most meaningful support possible."
Publications
My work in mental health has been featured in a variety of media, including:
Newspapers
Television
Radio
Books
Biography
Sumire Sato – Licensed Clinical Psychologist
She is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience helping individuals navigate life changes, trauma, emotional struggles, and relationship challenges. She works with warmth and empathy to help clients gain clarity, confidence, and direction.
She has worked in Japan’s public mental health system, with UNHCR supporting refugee youth, and with global mental health platforms providing counseling for immigrants and refugees. She also founded a youth support NGO and collaborates internationally on projects promoting inclusive, supportive communities.
Her mission is to empower children, youth, and women to embrace their true selves, foster meaningful connections, and create environments where everyone can thrive.
She is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 10 years of experience helping individuals navigate life changes, trauma, emotional struggles, and relationship challenges. She works with warmth and empathy to help clients gain clarity, confidence, and direction.
She has worked in Japan’s public mental health system, with UNHCR supporting refugee youth, and with global mental health platforms providing counseling for immigrants and refugees. She also founded a youth support NGO and collaborates internationally on projects promoting inclusive, supportive communities.
Her mission is to empower children, youth, and women to embrace their true selves, foster meaningful connections, and create environments where everyone can thrive.
Contact Me for Work Inquiries
sumiresuusato@gmail.com
