NGOs in Japan :: NGO-JICA Japan Desk(India)

NGOs in Japan

. General Information

Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC), an independent organization, publishes a directory of Japanese NGO's. According to their 2004 directory, there are 226 NGOs with more than two fiscal years of work experience. These NGOs self-generate more than 25 % of its annual budget or have more than Japanese Yen 1 million (US$9,200) of self-generated funds.

Among 226 NGOs, 43.8% have an annual budget of less than Japanese Yen 20 million (US$ 184,000). 58.4% of NGOs have legal status, while 41.6% do not.

NGOs derive their income from:

Donations, membership fees, and income-generating activities	---- 58.9%
Grants or subsidies from private foundations and governmental bodies	---- 9.9%
Contract funds from government, UN agencies and private agencies	---- 10.7%
Others	---- 5.6%
Balance from previous FY	---- 14.9%

There are about 1,500 paid staff working either on full-time or part-time basis.

. Network NGOs in Japan

There is no single coordinating body for NGOs in Japan. But several region-wise or sector wise networks exist. Only few have websites in English. Here are some of those:

Please note that following network NGOs are not funding agencies. They do not accept any proposals or requests for financial support.

The Japan NGO Center for International Cooperation (JANIC)

JANIC is a non-profit, non-partisan networking NGO founded in 1987 by a group of NGO leaders who saw the need to better coordinate activities in Japanese society and facilitate communication with overseas groups. Presently JANIC has 70 NGO members and is governed by a Board of Trustees. Its website has detailed information on the history and actual figures of NGO activities in Japan. It also has a directory of the member NGOs.

Japan Platform

Japan Platform is a system to provide emergency relief in natural disasters and refugee situations more effectively and quickly. This will be realized through an equal partnership of NGOs, business and government, with each constituent making full use of its resources and characteristics.

In providing Japan based NGOs with the initial funds directly and quickly, this initiative will serve as a platform for NGOs to mobilize and to carry out relief activities immediately. Activities will be funded through support by government and contribution from corporations and individuals. The website explains the mechanism and has the list of participating NGOs.