Thinking about the "Frustrations" and Social Issues of the Working Generation: Reader-Participatory Event "AERAbo Cafe" Underway
Weekly magazine "AERA" has been hosting the reader-participatory event "AERAbo Cafe" since May 2025, with a total of 12 sessions held by the end of April 2026. Aimed at solving the challenges of the working generation, it consists of talk shows and workshops. A large-scale event, "AERAbo 2026," featuring Miki Fujimoto, was also held in February 2026.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 1, 2026 at 13:54 (22 min after Collected)
Real-world events connecting readers and the editorial department
Weekly magazine and news site "AERA" (Asahi Shimbun Publications) has been holding "AERAbo Cafe," a real-world event connecting readers and the editorial department, since May 2025. By the end of April 2026, a total of 12 sessions have been held, with over 340 applicants. The theme for May is "Solving the 'What to Wear' Problem" (application deadline), and applications are currently being accepted for June's theme, "Journaling." The series is planned to continue approximately once a month, and participation is free for most sessions.
Additionally, "AERAbo 2026" was held in Tokyo Midtown Roppongi in February 2026 as a culmination event for the year. In a talk session featuring talent Miki Fujimoto as a guest, she spoke about valuing oneself and what she keeps in mind to stay true to herself.
Features of AERAbo Cafe
- With "people," "working women," and "social issues" as its main pillars, it addresses the frustrations and challenges faced by the working generation.
- Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes. The first half consists of a talk show moderated by AERA editorial staff, inviting experts and specialists on each theme as guests.
- In the second half, participants engage in a workshop to discuss their own experiences and "frustrations" with each other, aiming to connect to their next steps. It is an intensive event where the working generation shares their own examples of common social issues and re-evaluates them as "personal matters." It also aims to provide immediately actionable tips and "discoveries."
Despite being held on weekday evenings, many people participate in AERAbo Cafe each time. Some are first-time participants, while others are repeat visitors. Everyone listens intently to the guests' talks, and the workshops are popular because they allow for casual conversation even among strangers (Photography/Photo & Video Department, Mina Shinazaki).
Next Event Outline: 12th Session Theme: Journaling
Date: June 12, 2026 (Friday) 19:00 - 21:00 (Doors open at 18:30)
Location: Asahi Shimbun Tokyo Headquarters (Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
Participation Fee: Free *If there are many applicants, a lottery system will be used.
Content: Journaling — Dealing well with thoughts and emotions —
Guest: Shino Fujimoto
Certified Psychologist, Clinical Psychotherapist / After graduating from Waseda University's School of Human Sciences, Department of Health and Welfare, and its Graduate School of Human Sciences, she worked as a psychologist at Arakawa Ward Education Center and the University of Tokyo Hospital. After serving as a psychological evaluator at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center's Department of Nephrology, she founded Le:self in 2020 to provide online mental health services. She is also heavily involved in mental health training for companies and creating content related to preventative mental care. Her books include "How to Handle Your Teacup of Overwhelming 'Hardship'."
12th Guest, Shino Fujimoto (Photo: Provided)
Application: Application form within the AERAbo Cafe special page (https://dot.asahi.com/dir/aerabocafe/)
Discussing the "Now" of Society with Diverse Themes (Examples of Past Events) *Content of each session: Theme / Guest
- 1st: Career & Lifestyle / Kyoko Gunji, NTV Announcer
- 2nd: Working Women's Healthcare / Daisuke Shigemi, Obstetrician-Gynecologist
- 3rd: Knowledge of "Money" / Sayako Suzuki, Financial Planner
- 4th: Inclusive Education / Chihiro Erikawa, Representative Director, NPO Karugamo CP Kids
- 5th: Organizing Troubles / Sachi Nishizaki, Organizing Habit Consultant
- 6th: Career from 50s / Hiroko Ogura, Freelance Announcer
- 7th: Women and Career / Namiko Kajiwara, GLOWME Founder & Coach
- 8th: Gentle Communication / Akiko Nishito, Head of Communication Academy "NACA"
- 9th: Caring while Working / Mizuho Tanki, Non-fiction Writer
- 10th: Career Restart / Tomoko Suzuki, Professor, Hitotsubashi Business School
☆Click here for reports on each session: https://dot.asahi.com/dir/aerabocafe/#archive
*Two other special corporate-sponsored sessions were held on the themes of "Obesity and Obesitas" and "Thailand."
☆Click here for "AERAbo 2026" featuring Miki Fujimoto: https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/279344
Message by Keiko Kimura, AERA Editorial Director & Brand Producer
"AERAbo," launched in fiscal year 2025, is a portmanteau of "AERA" and "Laboratory," positioned as "a laboratory for creating new values." In addition to the annual large-scale event, "AERAbo Cafe" is held approximately once a month as a continuous platform for readers and the AERA editorial department to connect.
The core participants are working women of the current generation. AERA has continuously supported working women since its inception, and starting from fiscal year 2026, it aims to become "gentler."
Weekly magazine and news site "AERA" (Asahi Shimbun Publications) has been holding "AERAbo Cafe," a real-world event connecting readers and the editorial department, since May 2025. By the end of April 2026, a total of 12 sessions have been held, with over 340 applicants. The theme for May is "Solving the 'What to Wear' Problem" (application deadline), and applications are currently being accepted for June's theme, "Journaling." The series is planned to continue approximately once a month, and participation is free for most sessions.
Additionally, "AERAbo 2026" was held in Tokyo Midtown Roppongi in February 2026 as a culmination event for the year. In a talk session featuring talent Miki Fujimoto as a guest, she spoke about valuing oneself and what she keeps in mind to stay true to herself.
Features of AERAbo Cafe
- With "people," "working women," and "social issues" as its main pillars, it addresses the frustrations and challenges faced by the working generation.
- Each session lasts approximately 90 minutes. The first half consists of a talk show moderated by AERA editorial staff, inviting experts and specialists on each theme as guests.
- In the second half, participants engage in a workshop to discuss their own experiences and "frustrations" with each other, aiming to connect to their next steps. It is an intensive event where the working generation shares their own examples of common social issues and re-evaluates them as "personal matters." It also aims to provide immediately actionable tips and "discoveries."
Despite being held on weekday evenings, many people participate in AERAbo Cafe each time. Some are first-time participants, while others are repeat visitors. Everyone listens intently to the guests' talks, and the workshops are popular because they allow for casual conversation even among strangers (Photography/Photo & Video Department, Mina Shinazaki).
Next Event Outline: 12th Session Theme: Journaling
Date: June 12, 2026 (Friday) 19:00 - 21:00 (Doors open at 18:30)
Location: Asahi Shimbun Tokyo Headquarters (Chuo-ku, Tokyo)
Participation Fee: Free *If there are many applicants, a lottery system will be used.
Content: Journaling — Dealing well with thoughts and emotions —
Guest: Shino Fujimoto
Certified Psychologist, Clinical Psychotherapist / After graduating from Waseda University's School of Human Sciences, Department of Health and Welfare, and its Graduate School of Human Sciences, she worked as a psychologist at Arakawa Ward Education Center and the University of Tokyo Hospital. After serving as a psychological evaluator at the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center's Department of Nephrology, she founded Le:self in 2020 to provide online mental health services. She is also heavily involved in mental health training for companies and creating content related to preventative mental care. Her books include "How to Handle Your Teacup of Overwhelming 'Hardship'."
12th Guest, Shino Fujimoto (Photo: Provided)
Application: Application form within the AERAbo Cafe special page (https://dot.asahi.com/dir/aerabocafe/)
Discussing the "Now" of Society with Diverse Themes (Examples of Past Events) *Content of each session: Theme / Guest
- 1st: Career & Lifestyle / Kyoko Gunji, NTV Announcer
- 2nd: Working Women's Healthcare / Daisuke Shigemi, Obstetrician-Gynecologist
- 3rd: Knowledge of "Money" / Sayako Suzuki, Financial Planner
- 4th: Inclusive Education / Chihiro Erikawa, Representative Director, NPO Karugamo CP Kids
- 5th: Organizing Troubles / Sachi Nishizaki, Organizing Habit Consultant
- 6th: Career from 50s / Hiroko Ogura, Freelance Announcer
- 7th: Women and Career / Namiko Kajiwara, GLOWME Founder & Coach
- 8th: Gentle Communication / Akiko Nishito, Head of Communication Academy "NACA"
- 9th: Caring while Working / Mizuho Tanki, Non-fiction Writer
- 10th: Career Restart / Tomoko Suzuki, Professor, Hitotsubashi Business School
☆Click here for reports on each session: https://dot.asahi.com/dir/aerabocafe/#archive
*Two other special corporate-sponsored sessions were held on the themes of "Obesity and Obesitas" and "Thailand."
☆Click here for "AERAbo 2026" featuring Miki Fujimoto: https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/279344
Message by Keiko Kimura, AERA Editorial Director & Brand Producer
"AERAbo," launched in fiscal year 2025, is a portmanteau of "AERA" and "Laboratory," positioned as "a laboratory for creating new values." In addition to the annual large-scale event, "AERAbo Cafe" is held approximately once a month as a continuous platform for readers and the AERA editorial department to connect.
The core participants are working women of the current generation. AERA has continuously supported working women since its inception, and starting from fiscal year 2026, it aims to become "gentler."