YukoYukoKato: Empowering Communities through Purpose-Driven Microfinance

In Myanmar, efforts to promote gender equality and women’s leadership are being led by international organizations, NGOs, and community-based initiatives. These groups focus on empowering women through education, entrepreneurship, and support networks. While challenges remain, these ongoing initiatives are helping to create opportunities for women to play an active role in social and economic development across various sectors. Inspiring women leaders across Myanmar is Yuko Kato, the CEO of MJI Enterprise. Having lived in Myanmar since 2013, Yuko’s journey is a testament to resilience and self-made success. Coming from a non-traditional background, without a formal university education, an MBA, or experience at major financial institutions or international organizations, she carved her own path. After joining MJI Enterprise, she boldly acquired the company in 2018, stepping into entrepreneurship with determination and vision. Yuko was able to successfully transition into entrepreneurship with the help of Managers of another institution in the same industory and experienced friends who guided her along the way.

Yuko’s decision to become independent stemmed from her belief that being in a position to speak out about the philosophy and policies of her company, she would not be able to deliver the financial support to those who needed it most.

Yuko’s story is even more remarkable considering her humble beginnings. Growing up in Japan during the economic downturn after the bubble economy, she faced financial struggles, including her family’s bankruptcy. With no formal education beyond public high school, Yuko worked various non-permanent jobs and struggled to build a career in Japan. However, she refused to give up, and eventually, an opportunity to live and work in Myanmar opened a new chapter for her. It was in Myanmar that she discovered microfinance, a field she believes to be her true calling, empowering individuals to overcome financial barriers and change their lives.

Let’s dive in to know more.

What are the main roles and responsibilities you hold as the CEO of MJI Enterprise?

As the CEO of MJI Enterprise, my primary responsibility is to listen. I believe in truly hearing everyone’s ideas and stories, and drawing out their feelings and imaginations. It’s important to shape these ideas into actionable plans. I see MJI Enterprise as a microfinance institution with social significance, and I don’t believe in a model where foreign owners or bosses simply give instructions. Instead, I believe the business should be driven by the people of Myanmar, with a deep understanding of their country and culture. For this reason, besides the typical duties of a CEO, my most important role is fostering an environment where listening and understanding are at the core of how we operate. This approach helps us create solutions that genuinely benefit the local community.

What core principles shape your leadership style?

My approach to leadership is closely tied to how I view the role of a CEO. I’ve never been the type to give strong instructions or assert what I want, even in casual situations with friends, which I used to see as a weakness. But over time, I’ve come to realize that this trait shaped my leadership style. Rather than relying on top-down direction, I focus on creating an environment where everyone thinks critically, speaks up, and takes ownership. I believe leadership is shared, each person brings something essential. If the staff engaging with clients and partners aren’t genuinely invested, we can’t truly say we’re living our values. In that sense, what once felt like a weakness has become a strength, shaping a culture where everyone leads in their own way.

My guiding principle has always been to keep asking those questions, no matter how difficult the journey

How do you balance business success with promoting social development in Myanmar?

Achieving both business success and social development requires a strong 'stakeholder mindset'. We recognize that we are part of the social issues we aim to address. If we truly value the people we serve, we won’t exploit them, and we’ll communicate even difficult messages with care and respect. Specifically, we avoid using money as a weapon. We don’t incentivize our staff based on loan amounts or the number of loans given to push it. For instance, we provide four training sessions for first-time borrowers before they receive a loan. We plan and manage our business carefully to remain self-sustaining and profitable, but our microfinance model is simple and asset-based. This is why we are meticulous in how we provide loans, ensuring both business success and social responsibility. Furthermore, putting these philosophies into practice is only possible with our investors and shareholders who understand and impact.

Reflecting on your career, what have been the key milestones and guiding principles behind your success?

One of the most significant milestones in my journey was discovering microfinance and beginning my life in Myanmar. It felt like finding my true calling, and I treasure this encounter deeply. I'm especially proud that my work contributes, even in a small way, to addressing child poverty, something I experienced firsthand growing up. I call this process 'overcoming fate'. I believe everyone has personal questions they carry through life, a kind of truth they must face. My guiding principle has always been to keep asking those questions, no matter how difficult the journey. For me, this path of exploration has no end. It will continue to guide me for the rest of my life.

How do you envision the future of MJI Enterprise?

I’m from Japan, a country shaped by natural disasters like the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Such instances have taught us how easily lives, efforts, and prayers can be swept away unreasonably. In Myanmar, I saw similar hardship women in rural areas working tirelessly for their families, only to have their daily lives disrupted by the recent economic crisis. At MJI Enterprise, our mission is to support these women through finance, helping them invest in their children’s futures. Now we’re exploring for "Exit to Community", after a tough period. We want to achieve this together with the will of the people of this country as a shareholder. This is the next future that MJI Enterprise envisions.

Yuko Kato, CEO, MJI Enterprise 

Yuko Kato is the CEO of MJI Enterprise, a socially-driven microfinance institution in Myanmar. Originally from Japan, she moved to Myanmar in 2013 and led a management buyout of the company in 2018. With no formal business background, she built MJI Enterprise on a foundation of empathy, trust, and resilience. Yuko is passionate about financial inclusion and empowering women in rural areas, aiming to support families and invest in the next generation through accessible, responsible microfinance solutions tailored to Myanmar’s communities.