TOUCH A HEART NEWSLETTER | SEPTEMBER 16, 2026
Second Chances Across Cultures
Touch A Heart recently welcomed four justice practitioners and researchers from Japan for a conversation about rehabilitation, reintegration, and the role community organizations play in helping justice-involved individuals build a new future. The visit was coordinated by Takuya F., a doctoral student in social work at UH-Mānoa and former correctional officer and policy leader within Japan's Ministry of Justice. It marked the second delegation from Japan that Takuya has brought to Touch A Heart this year.
Joining the conversation was Jonathan S., former Chief Probation Officer for the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office in the District of Hawaiʻi, who now volunteers with us. Drawing on his years helping individuals reintegrate after incarceration, he emphasized an important lesson: the justice system cannot do it alone.
"Probation officers and other justice professionals certainly have an important role, but eventually, the individual has to live, work, and become part of the community," Jonathan explained. "That makes organizations like Touch A Heart extremely important."
Jonathan shared how employment can provide more than income, creating structure, responsibility, confidence, and purpose. Combined with positive relationships and accountability, these opportunities can build a foundation for long-term stability.
For the delegation, the Touch A Heart model remains relatively uncommon in Japan. Takuya said that advancing rehabilitation through an employment social enterprise is still rare within Japan's justice sector, making the visit particularly eye-opening. He also noted the network of specialized partners supporting our mission—a reminder that successful reintegration is a community effort.
"When those two sides work together," Jonathan said of justice agencies and community organizations, "we give individuals a much stronger foundation for long-term success."
We're grateful to Takuya, his guests, and Jonathan for this meaningful exchange and shared learning opportunity.