Job Discussion Forums

[JimDunlop2]

I guess the past little while has seen quite a bit in the way of natural disasters worldwide, whether they be hurricanes in the U.S., earthquake in Pakistan or famine in Niger.

If someone wants to contribute to international relief efforts or donate to charitable organizations based WITHIN Japan (versus an international one like the Red Cross), where would a person find this information?

The reason why I'd like to find some Japanese charities is for ease of contribution. It's usually possible to do a "furikomi" transfer as opposed to using a credit card, and there's no need to convert into another currency either.

Any names, links to websites or other info would be appreciated.

Thanks!

JD

[JimDunlop2]

Boy, nice to see that Dave's lot sure is so charitable, huh? (j/k)

Anyway, I posted this topic because I was hoping it could save me some research time on the Internet and perhaps get some commentary regarding certain organizations...

Well, seeing that I drew a blank here, I've looked all around and this is what I've come up with if you wish to buy two less beers next Friday at the gaijin-bar, and do a good deed.

Disclaimer: Neither I nor Dave's ESL Cafe endorses any of these organizations or vouches for their integrity. They are provided here in list form as a free service by me (Jim) to anyone who wishes to explore them further.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Care Japan (fights poverty in other countries)
http://www.careintjp.org/

International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination (IMADR)
http://www.imadr.org/

Japan International Volunteer Center (JVC) has the following projects: agriculture, water provision, forest preservation/utilization, children's education, peace building, and emergency relief in the following countries: Cambodia, Viet Nam, Laos, Thailand, South Africa, Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, North Korea and Sudan
http://www.ngo-jvc.net/en/index.html

Japan Red Cross (Can anyone confirm/dispel the rumor that they throw out gaikokujin blood categorically?)
http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/jrc_news/713.html

Japan Platform - provides emergency natural disaster relief to other countries
http://www.japanplatform.org/E/index.html

Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) (MSF)
http://www.msf.or.jp/support/donation.php

Oxfam Japan
http://home.oxfam.jp/

Save the Children Japan
http://www.savechildren.or.jp/

Hope International Development Agency - (I think this is one which I will support if I can find a bit more info first).
http://hope-international.jp/hopeinternational/static/

Organization for Industrial, Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (OISCA) (I think they do something with agriculture)
http://www.oisca.org/e/index.htm

Peace Boat
http://www.peaceboat.org/index_j.html

H.E.L.P. (Women's shelter) The webpage is very poor but it seems they are very active in the Tokyo metro area and advertise in some English publications
http://web.sfc.keio.ac.jp/~thiesmey/HELPjapanese.html

Artists Without Borders (brings psychological relief to the victims of war in the form of art and/or entertainment)
http://www5a.biglobe.ne.jp/~artWB/e16.html

Go Make a Difference (Go MAD) (founded and run by JETs - have many projects)
http://www.go-mad.org/

World Vision Japan (This is the Japanese branch of an internationally well-known group)
http://www.worldvision.or.jp/English/index.html#7

And the MOTHERLODE itself:

The Japan Association of Charitable Organizations (JACO) which has a comprehensive list of Japan-based charities divided up by topic, such as Arts, Education, Medical, Religion, Sports, etc...
http://www.kohokyo.or.jp/english/eng_index.html

Another LIST: JAPANESE ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS TO PROMOTE FULL PARTICIPATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/japanese/intl/z00004/z0000401.htm

And yet another LIST (not so long) I like this list because it actually tells you which of the sites it links to are in Japanese only.
http://web-japan.org/links/society/


P.S. If anyone wants to add their own favorite charities (based in Japan) then please add them or let me know (and I'll append them to my list).
Thx.

[J.]

In looking through the links on this list, I discovered a lot of organizations and information that I wouldn't have otherwise known. It's a great resource to explore what's being done here. Thanks a lot.

[Jazz1975]

Jim, I only saw this thread now (signed up to this forum a few days ago) so let's play fair, ok? (j/k) All joking aside, thanks for the list. Coming from a social services background, I would be interested in doing some volunteering at an NGO to keep up with my line of work.

[wangtesol]

Jim, you have the book put out by Solidarity with Migrant Workers Japan!
And you did not even list them!

http://www.jca.apc.org/migrant-net/

How about, contributing to this organization since their book has helped you out directly?

If you specifically want to aid Philipinos or Burakumin or Zainichi, they will have pamphlets and contact info in the back of that book. If you want to help yourself out... join a union.

Integrate and as Baba Ramdass says "Be here now."

[JimDunlop2]

It's been some time, and right around Christmas is usually when many people like to contribute to charity organizations and spread a little goodwill among men.

If that's your bag, I have a new one for all of you -- it's a charity based IN Japan, but benefits children in the Third World and developing countries. They give presents to kids who have been victims of war, disease, natural disasters or poverty.

They are called Greatest Gift Ministries. If you have ever heard of Samaritan's Purse -- they are the Japanese offshoot. There is no affiliation between them, except for the fact that the director of Greatest Gift used to be one of the head honchos over at Samaritan's Purse, and he left (with their approval) to start up virtually the same project in Japan.

The concept is simple. Get a shoe box, or a similar-sized box from the 100 yen shop, fill it with new toys, clothes, school supplies and other fun stuff (no food or perishables though), send it over to the people at Greatest Gift Ministries (located in Tokyo) along with 1000 yen to cover shipping and handling and postage, etc....

Then, they will take the boxes, and members of their charity take the boxes to children in (usually rural areas) in countries like Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, who have never received a Christmas present in their lives. The people who go on the trips volunteer their time and money and pay their own way, so the money you give to them does not get eaten by overhead.

If you are interested, you can either: fill up a gift box, or if you are even more adventurous, you can join them on a distribution trip and help give out the boxes after they're done.

There will be a 4-min. news segment on the 7 o'clock NHK news December 25th if you want to get some more info as well.

http://greatestgiftministries.org/gift_box_program.htm

Also, just so you all know, (and because some may be bothered by this), Greatest Gift is a Christian organization -- and quite strongly so... But you certainly do not have to be a Christian to participate in their projects, nor do the recipients of their charities need to be Christians.

Oh yeah... Also just to make it clear, I have to ties to, or any affiliation with this organization -- but I do contribute to it...

[furiousmilksheikali]

Amnesty International has branches in Japan.

Also, I recommend buying the Big Issue. You can brush up on your Japanese skills.

[johanne]

I transferred my Foster Child Plan from Canada to Japan since they have an office here. Now I get the newsletter in Japanese, but the letters still come in French and then translated into English. You can pay through furikomi.

[markle]

[JimDunlop2]

[injapantoday]

Santa's birthday?

[JimDunlop2]

[Eva Pilot]

Every now and then around here there is a charity concert at a live house, there are a few coming up around this Christmas time.

I do not know what charity it is for. But I often attend.