About MakoStars
Helping families find the right path to English success.
Founded in Tokyo in 2015, MakoStars is an education company committed to helping learners succeed through high-quality English resources, curated study materials, and personalized guidance — from early readers to advanced exam preparation.
2015
Year Founded
30,000+
Orders Processed
12+
Years Teaching
20+
Years in Japan
Meet the Founder
James Williams
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, USA, James holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the University of Rochester. Before moving into education, he built a career in financial information technology and investment advisory.
James has lived in Japan for over twenty years and brings more than 12 years of teaching experience working with children and adults across all levels. He founded MakoStars in 2015 with a clear mission: to help families and learners in Japan find the right English resources, guidance, and support to reach their goals.
Having learned Japanese himself — recently passing JLPT N3 and aiming for N2 in 2026 — James understands firsthand what it takes to learn a language as an adult. That experience shapes how he teaches and guides his students every day.
Our Mission
English is a gateway to opportunity.
Our goal is to help every learner — from early readers to advanced exam takers — build confidence, improve comprehension, and prepare for global academic and professional success.
Accessibility
We make it easy for families and educators to find reliable English learning materials — from phonics books to exam preparation resources.
Personalization
Every learner is different. We provide tailored recommendations for young learners, returnee children, international school students, and exam candidates.
Global Awareness
We choose materials that help learners understand the world, improve communication skills, and develop confidence for international success.
Trust & Quality
All materials are sourced from reputable publishers and carefully inspected before shipping — especially important for schools and families who depend on consistent quality.
Our English School
BumbleB English — Setagaya, Tokyo
MakoStars operates BumbleB English in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo — offering in-person and online English lessons for children, teens, university students, and adults.
- ✓ English lessons for elementary, junior high, and high school students
- ✓ EIKEN preparation classes (Grade 5 through Grade 1)
- ✓ IELTS, TOEFL, and TOEIC preparation for university students and adults
- ✓ Business English and writing coaching for professionals
- ✓ Onsite lessons in Tokyo and online lessons across Japan and Asia
Location
Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Lessons
Onsite (Tokyo) & Online (Japan & Asia)
Students
Elementary school through adult
Specialties
EIKEN · IELTS · TOEFL · Academic English · Writing
Website
bumblebenglish.comReady to get started?
Whether you are a parent choosing your child's first English books, a teacher building a classroom library, or a student preparing for EIKEN, IELTS, or TOEFL — MakoStars is here to guide you every step of the way.