Tokyo, Japan

Japan recorded 1,535 drowning deaths in 2024, a ten-year high, up by more than 140 deaths from the previous year, according to the National Police Agency, with incidents concentrated in the sea, rivers, and irrigation waterways surrounding cities like Yokohama and Tokyo. Beyond the physical danger, Japan faces a distinct cultural barrier in emergency response: deep social pressures around not drawing unwanted attention to others can override the impulse to intervene. Tokyo is home to a substantial portion of Life Afloat's volunteers, who balance their studies at international schools in the area with their commitment to the organization.

Life Afloat has taught 21 students to date through YouMeWe NPO, a Tokyo-based nonprofit supporting children in institutionalized care homes across Japan, helping them build the skills and independence they need to enter society at age 18. This partnership is expected to grow significantly in the coming months. For young people preparing to navigate the world independently, water safety is not an abstract concern — it is a practical skill they will carry with them for life.